Temple Terrace Residents to Vote on Tax Exemptions

Although Jan. 31 is the , all registered voters in Temple Terrace will have the opportunity to weigh in on a proposed economic referendum.

Regardless of party affiliation, Temple Terrace voters will be able to cast their ballots for or against the city's proposed economic development property tax exemptions for new businesses and expansions of existing businesses. The idea behind the referendum is to draw in business, which would in turn stimulate economic development and create new jobs, officials have said.

The amount of the exemption would vary from business to business and is based on the amount of a business' investment, the number of employees and other factors, officials said. A business could be exempt for 5 to 10 years based on these factors.

If favored by voters, the measure would go to the Temple Terrace City Council for final approval. It would last for a period of 10 years, expiring on Jan. 31, 2022.

The referendum reads:

Shall the City Council of the City of Temple Terrace be authorized to grant, pursuant to Section 3, Article VII of the State Constitution, property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansion of existing businesses to encourage economic development and establish new jobs?

A copy of the sample nonpartisan ballot, as well as a copy of the sample Republican Presidential Preference Primary ballot, appears with this story.

The deadline to register to vote on the Temple Terrace economic referendum and the Republican primary is Jan. 3.

Anyone who would like to register or update their information can do so at any Supervisor of Elections office, or driver license office. The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office is encouraging Temple Terrace residents who are registered to check the accuracy of their information, according to a press release.