Penny for Projects raises $159K
BROOKSVILLE — The Penny for Projects political action committee raised $159,100 from June 1 through Sept. 5, according to Florida elections officials.
Committee member Morris Porton said he is “pleasantly surprised” at the money raised so far and noted various people have committed to donate a total of another $30,000 in the next two weeks.
All the money will be used for promotional uses, including billboards, media advertisements and yard signs.
“It just reinforces what I think people want Hernando County to become, where we can have better roads and help the schools,” Porton said.
The Chicago-based National Association of Realtors wrote two checks totaling $75,000 and D.A.B. Constructors donated $25,000. D.A.B. is the contractor on several road improvement projects, including the widening of State Road 50.
County Administrator Len Sossamon gave $250 to the campaign.
Other key donors: Hernando Progress, $5,000; Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, $5,000; American Aviation, $5,000; Brooksville Quarry, $5,000; Access Health Care Physicians, $5,000; and Register Chevrolet, $5,000.
Hernando Progress, a group dedicated to promoting economic development in the county, donated $5,000.
Ana Trinque, president of the Hernando County Association of Realtors, said her association applied to the national headquarters to help fund the referendum because, if passed, it would lead to more home sales.
The purpose of the sales tax is to bring in more business to Hernando County and boost economic development, she said.
In turn, more families would move here and stimulate the housing industry, she added. After reviewing the proposal, the national association agreed to pitch in $75,000, she said.
“It’s a positive thing and it is a commitment that we have to our local community,” Trinque said.
Two real estate agents in Hernando County also sit on the committee that came up with the recommendations for projects.
The Penny for Projects referendum will be on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
The money would be used for capital improvement projects that the county, city of Brooksville and Hernando County School Board have identified as high-priority needs.
If approved by voters, the sales tax would take effect Jan. 1 and continue through Dec. 31, 2024.
It is a collaborative effort among Hernando County, the school board and the city of Brooksville.
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