The infrastructure surtax is a one-cent sales tax levied by Sarasota County to fund the capital improvement program.  The School Board share of the additional levy is one-quarter.  The voters of Sarasota County approved the one-cent sales tax in 1989 and again in 1997 to pay for capital improvement projects.  

The current Phase II Infrastructure Surtax is scheduled to end in 2009.  Another extension of the one-cent sales tax through Fiscal Year 2024 via referendum is being proposed.  In order for Sarasota County to go to referendum, each participating agency must adopt a list of proposed projects to be funded by the sales tax.  To meet the strict timeline for taking the referendum to the voters in November 2007, requires the School Board to approve the list at this time.

Sales tax revenues were projected by the County and the District's share for 2009-2024 is estimated to be $351,482,015.  The District capital projects included are the major construction projects anticipated for the next 10 years as defined in the current Capital Improvement Plan totaling $170,047,669, as well as other District-wide projects that are non-school related totaling $50,629,003.  It is unknown at this time what school projects will be in construction in fiscal years 2019-2024.  Accordingly, a line item for Future School Construction Projects for $130,805,343 has been identified on the project list.  As with the prior Surtax phases, project status updates will be made throughout the life of the voter-approved program.  At that point, the School Board can modify the existing project list to include those projects that can not yet be identified in the out years.

#68-That the Board approves the Projects List for renewal of Phase III of the Infrastructure Surtax as presented.