Q. If approved, when would this extra penny in sales tax go away?
A: By law, the tax would go away in 7 years, or when the total amount is collected, whichever comes first.

Q. Once the referendum passes, can Sumter County Council change the projects?
A. No. State law does not allow any changes in the projects.

Q. Can Sumter County Council extend the tax?
A. No. State law doesn't allow an extension of the time frame or a change in the amount to be collected.

Q. Do we really need all these projects?
A. All of the 16 projects are necessary to improve either the safety, economic development or quality of life of our community. "Need" is a subjective term, but there is no doubt that our community needs new jobs, safer roads and safe, clean places for our children to play and exercise. Sumter County is behind our competitors in all three categories, and the Penny for Progress would go a long way to our community regaining its competitive edge.  

Q. What happens if voters reject the proposal?
A. Some of the projects would go forward anyway because of federal and state mandates. But the local leadership would have to find other ways to pay for them. For instance, the most likely way a new judicial center would be funded is through an increase in property taxes. Other projects on the list would probably be put on the back burner, and others could be abandoned outright.

Q. What happens if the new sales tax generates more revenue than is needed?
A. It can't. When the proposed extra penny generates the total amount on the ballot, that extra penny must be removed, under state law.

Q. What happens if the new sales tax doesn't generate enough money?
A. Local government will still be required to complete the projects and will be required to find other revenues to pay for them. But the 7-year estimate is a conservative one, so it's highly likely the extra penny would generate the needed revenue before the 7 years are up.

Q. Can the money collected for these items be used on other things?
A. No. Under state law, the extra pennies must be spent on the things listed here, and on the ballot.

Q. Who determined what projects would be on this list?
A. A group of regular citizens convened to compile the list. It was later approved by Sumter County Council, after public hearings on the issue.

Q. Can County Council increase the sales tax even if the voters reject it?
A. No. Any increase in local option sales tax must be approved by you, the voters.

Q. Who will pay for all this?
A. Only about three-quarters of the money needed will be paid by residents of Sumter County. Experts say that about 25% of a local sales tax is paid by people who live elsewhere, but travel through, or work in, Sumter County.