BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Brevard County is considering raising its gas tax to address a funding shortfall for critical transportation improvements.
Today, Brevard County Board of County Commissioners is discussing a potential increase between 1 and 5 cents per gallon to generate additional revenue.
Brevard is experiencing growth, with new buildings and homes increasing demand on infrastructure. According to the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO), the current funding formula is insufficient to cover the county’s transportation projects.
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To pay for these projects, the county might raise its gas tax.
Resident Shawn Reed, who buys diesel gas, thinks the price at the pump is already too much.
“I spend about $130, $140 every two days,” he said. “It makes you want to move out of the country because it’s ridiculous.”
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The SCTPO found that under the current funding formula, Brevard County will only be able to pay 9% of its more than $2.65 billion in transportation needs through 2050, including projects like widening State Road 524.
“Well, I think they need to widen [524], but then they also keep OK’ing all these apartment complexes that go up here that should pay those taxes, what they are getting from those,” Raymond Busse said.
More than half of Florida’s 67 counties already charge the maximum extra 12 cents per gallon in gas tax, including several in Central Florida. However, Brevard is one of 11 counties still charging only 6 cents per gallon, at least for now.
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“I don’t care what other counties do if they want to pay 15, 20. That’s their prerogative. Don’t want that here in Brevard County,” Busse said.
The county board has several options to consider. Take no action, ask for further evaluation, adopt an up to 5-cent tax increase on gas and diesel, add an additional 1 cent only on diesel or send the choice to voters through a referendum.
If the commissioners approve the gas tax increase by a supermajority vote, it would take effect next year. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m.