Lake County considers increasing gas tax to finance transportation projects

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Lake County is considering a plan to add a 5-cent tax per gallon of gas to help fund transportation projects.

During a meeting on Tuesday, commissioners will discuss the local option gas tax, as well as other funding possibilities.

Faced with the high expense of transportation initiatives and anticipated population growth over the coming two decades, the county manager expressed concerns that meeting the public’s expectations for roadway systems is increasingly uncertain.

Currently, funding for roadway infrastructure and maintenance is obtained from transportation impact fees, developer contributions, gasoline taxes, and various other sources.

The county manager’s office said increasing the gas tax could help address growing needs and accelerate project delivery.

Lake County resident Rick Newcomb said he sees traffic problems every day, and the gas tax could be beneficial.

“I don’t mind if it benefits road infrastructure,” Newcomb commented. “There’s a significant backlog, and congestion is a major issue in certain areas. People simply want a smoother and faster journey between destinations.”

Besides discussing the gas tax, there are other funding strategies being considered, such as establishing a Municipal Service Taxing Unit and obtaining financing for designated transportation projects.

The discussion will happen during the Lake County Board of Commissioners regular meeting, which is on Tuesday at 9 a.m.