LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A proposed gas tax hike in Lake County will not go forward after it failed to pass the county commission on Tuesday.
Currently, Lake County’s gas tax sits at 7 cents per gallon, but commissioners were considering a bump up to 12 cents per gallon.
The proposed increase could have generated millions for the county to go toward road repairs and maintenance.
In order for the vote to pass, it would have needed approval from four out of five commissioners.
Commissioners Leslie Campione and Anthony Sabatini voted against the plan.
It will also not be put before voters as a referendum at this time.
News 6 spoke to people on Monday and found some who are on both sides of the issue.
“That would be an added stress on our living,” said Mount Dora resident Jay Bellanger.
“Well, we need good road improvement, that’s for sure,” said Lake County resident Gary Knox.
According to a graphic on the county’s website, the proposed 5-cent gas tax increase from 7 cents to 12 cents would generate $7 million annually, which would go toward road resurfacing.
[WATCH: Lake County mulls gas tax hike to fund transportation projects]
Bellanger supports the money going toward road improvements, but as a full-time delivery driver, he is concerned the increase would impact his bottom line.
“You know, I normally do fill up two or three times during the week. I would essentially, I believe, with that increase, it’d be a lot more, so as, again, more stress on what’s happening,” Bellanger said.
The Office of Economic and Demographic Research shows Marion, Seminole, Osceola, and Volusia counties also have a 12-cent gas tax.
Gary Knox, who was filling up on Monday morning, said the roads are not maintained as much as he thinks they should be and supports the 5-cent increase.
“They’re patched here,” Knox said. “And then when it rains a lot, then there’s potholes. I guess that’s all over, but it sure is here in Lake County.”
[WATCH: Lake County residents weigh in on county’s growth]