As Hillsborough County approaches the upcoming election, the renewal of the Community Investment Tax has emerged as a critical issue for the safety, resilience and development of the community.
With recent severe weather events, particularly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, highlighting the vulnerabilities in the area’s stormwater management systems, the Tampa Bay Chamber, local leaders and concerned citizens are intensifying their efforts to rally support for the CIT renewal.
Ali St. Cyr, broker and owner of Tomlin St Cyr Real Estate Services and board member of the Tampa Bay Chamber, emphasizes the importance of this half-penny sales tax as an investment in the community’s stormwater drainage infrastructure.
“Renewing the CIT is essential for addressing our stormwater drainage challenges and protecting our neighborhoods from future flooding events,” St. Cyr says. “We have seen firsthand how devastating severe weather can be with residents facing costly damage or, in some cases, finding themselves trapped in their homes. This tax renewal is about more than convenience—it’s about community safety.”
To bolster awareness, the Tampa Bay Chamber has launched digital billboards across Hillsborough County, strategically placed to reach a wide audience, reminding voters of the CIT’s critical role in funding infrastructure and public safety projects, since 1996.
Local mayors and community leaders have also contributed to the campaign by recording messages that touch on the impact of the CIT on essential services.
Dr. Bob Rohrlack, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber expressed urgency, warning that failure to renew the tax could compromise the county’s ability to fund necessary infrastructure and education projects, for years to come.
“Our community is facing the real danger of losing critical infrastructure and education funding. This is not a new tax,” he says. “It’s about sustaining the support our community has relied on for public safety, transportation and education.”
For more information, read the full release here from the Chamber here.
