LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Lake County commissioners will again consider raising the local gas tax, a move that would increase the levy from seven cents per gallon all the way to 12 cents — the second time in less than a year the idea has come up.
The proposed increase is meant to help improve, expand, and maintain county roads.
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Even as gas prices have started to ease, some drivers said their budgets are still strained and questioned the timing — even though the higher tax would not take effect until 2028.
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“If they’re going to increase the gas, they should wait until it goes back down to what it used to be,” Channing Strong said.
Jada Brown said she doesn’t think now is the right time, but added, “Is it ever really the right time to start the gas prices?”
Luis Cortez said the added cost would hurt. “I would think it’s extremely high, especially when you look at my prices right now,” he said, describing what it costs to fill up.
If approved, the money would be distributed between Lake County and its municipalities. The county’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee warned the hike could hit lower-income residents harder because affordable housing is often farther from major job centers.
“Since affordable housing is usually located farther from employment, lower-income residents will have longer commutes and higher fuel consumption,” the committee said in a statement. “Every dollar going to fuel is a dollar not available for rent or mortgage.”
Lake County would not be the only Central Florida county with a 12-cent gas tax.
Marion, Seminole, Osceola, and Volusia Counties also have a 12-cent local option gas tax, according to a Florida Department of Revenue document.
In 2025, commissioners nixed a similar effort. Click HERE for more information.
If approved, the tax would be in place for 10 years, beginning in January 2028 to December 2038.