Half-Penny Sales Tax Referendum
Hillsborough Education Foundation urges Hillsborough County voters to vote YES on Referendum 3 to renew the half-penny sales tax and continue investing in safe, modern schools for our students, teachers, and community.
First approved by voters in 2018, the 0.5% sales tax provides a dedicated funding source to improve and maintain school facilities across Hillsborough County Public Schools. The investment has funded critical improvements in schools throughout the district, from air conditioning and roofing to safety, technology, and accessibility upgrades. On Nov. 3, voters will decide whether to renew this investment and continue this work without interruption.
Why HEF Supports Referendum 3
Strong public schools are the foundation of a strong community, and students and teachers deserve schools that are safe, comfortable, and ready to support learning every day.
Across Hillsborough County, many school buildings are aging and require continued repairs and modernization. When air conditioning systems fail, roofs need repair, safety upgrades are delayed or technology becomes outdated, it directly affects the daily experience of students, teachers, and school staff.
Renewing the half-penny sales tax provides a dedicated source of funding to address these needs, plan for future improvements and protect the progress our community has already made.
That is why Hillsborough Education Foundation supports Referendum 3 and encourages voters to vote YES on Nov. 3.
Proven Impact
Since Hillsborough County voters approved the half-penny sales tax in 2018, more than $1.3 billion has been invested in facilities, safety, and technology across all 206 HCPS schools. More than 1,000 projects have been completed, and every school has received at least $500,000 in improvements. These investments have addressed critical needs including air conditioning, roofs, safety and security systems, technology, playgrounds, and athletic facilities.
The investment is also shared beyond local households. An estimated 25% of half-penny sales tax revenue is generated by tourists and visitors to Hillsborough County, helping support local schools through spending that occurs here. The investment also benefits our broader community. More than $800 million in work has been awarded to local businesses, supporting local jobs and families while building better schools for the next generation.
Projects in Action
The impact of the half-penny sales tax can be seen across Hillsborough County schools. In classrooms and school buildings, funding has replaced failing air conditioning systems, upgraded lighting, installed modern network infrastructure, replaced worn flooring and doors, and repaired aging roofs.
It has also supported critical safety improvements, including secure entry vestibules and access control systems, upgraded fire alarms and emergency communication systems, campus lighting, and fencing. Other projects have improved playgrounds, athletic courts, gym floors, parking lots, sidewalks, and covered walkways. Accessibility improvements, including ADA-compliant ramps and pathways and elevator modernizations, help ensure students of all abilities can fully access their school environment.
These are practical investments that make a difference in where students learn and where teachers work every day.
Accountability and Transparency
Half-penny sales tax revenue is legally restricted to school facility improvements and cannot be used for salaries or daily operating expenses. An independent Citizen Oversight Committee meets regularly to review expenditures and project progress, providing an additional layer of accountability. Spending and project updates are publicly reported so taxpayers can see how funds are being used.
This oversight helps ensure the half-penny investment continues to deliver on the commitment made to Hillsborough County voters. Review half-penny sales tax spending and Citizen Oversight Committee information:
Keep the Investment Going
The results of the half-penny sales tax are visible in schools throughout Hillsborough County. Renewing it will allow HCPS to continue addressing critical facility needs, maintain the progress already made and plan responsibly for the schools our community will need in the years ahead.
For nearly four decades, Hillsborough Education Foundation has worked to strengthen public education and expand opportunities for students. We believe that commitment includes ensuring students have safe, modern learning environments and teachers have schools equipped to support their work.
On Nov. 3, vote YES on Referendum 3 to continue investing in Hillsborough County students, teachers, and schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Referendum 3 asks Hillsborough County voters whether to renew the half-penny sales tax that provides dedicated funding for school facility improvements across Hillsborough County Public Schools.
First approved by voters in 2018, the half-penny sales tax has funded improvements at schools throughout the district. Hillsborough Education Foundation supports renewing this investment and encourages voters to vote YES on Referendum 3 on Nov. 3.
Funds are dedicated to capital improvements at Hillsborough County Public Schools. These include repairing and maintaining school buildings, replacing aging systems such as air conditioning and roofs, improving safety and security, upgrading technology infrastructure, improving playgrounds and recreational facilities, and making schools more accessible.
The funds cannot be used for salaries, teacher pay, or daily operating expenses.
Since voters approved the half-penny sales tax in 2018, more than 900 projects have been completed across Hillsborough County Public Schools.
More than $1.3 billion has been invested in facilities, safety, and technology, addressing critical needs such as air conditioning, roofs, safety and security systems, technology, playgrounds, and athletic facilities. Every HCPS school has received at least $500,000 in improvements.
Anyone who makes a taxable purchase in Hillsborough County contributes, including residents, visitors, and tourists. An estimated 25% of the revenue is generated by tourists and visitors, meaning approximately one out of every four dollars collected comes from people visiting our community rather than local households.
Because the tax is collected through purchases made in Hillsborough County, visitors help contribute to the investment in local public schools while they shop, dine, stay, and spend money here.
Half-penny sales tax revenue is legally restricted to approved school facility improvements. Spending and project progress are publicly reported so taxpayers can see how funds are being used.
An independent Citizen Oversight Committee provides an additional layer of accountability by reviewing expenditures and project updates. Meeting information and reports are publicly available, providing the community with ongoing visibility into how the investment is being managed.
https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/o/hcps/page/citizen-oversight-committee
The current half-penny sales tax was approved by Hillsborough County voters in 2018. Referendum 3 gives voters the opportunity to renew this dedicated funding source and continue investing in school facilities.
Renewal helps maintain continuity in long-term facility planning and allows critical repairs, safety improvements, and modernization projects to continue without a gap in this dedicated funding.
A YES vote will renew the half-penny sales tax, allowing dedicated funding for school facility improvements to continue. This will support ongoing and future investments in areas such as air conditioning, roofs, safety and security, technology, accessibility, and other critical school facility needs.
Students and teachers do their best work in schools that are safe, comfortable, and ready for learning.
This investment addresses the everyday conditions that shape the school experience, from reliable air conditioning and secure campuses to updated technology and accessible learning spaces. Maintaining these environments allows students to focus on learning and teachers to focus on teaching.
Hillsborough County Public Schools provides information about half-penny sales tax investments, expenditures, and projects throughout the district.
You can find out more about projects at your schools here:
