CRESTVIEW — Motorists in Okaloosa County will kick off 2014 by paying more at the gas pump.
County Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to increase the local gas tax by 3 cents beginning Jan. 1.
Commission Chairman Don Amunds voted against the measure, which required the approval of a supermajority of the board to pass.
Under Florida law, counties are authorized to levy a tax of up to 12 cents per gallon on fuel. Okaloosa now levies 7 cents.
Diesel fuel is exempt from the tax.
Commissioners Dave Parisot and Wayne Harris initially pushed for a 5-cent increase.
“My fellow commissioners, we’re going to catch heat whether we do 3 cents or 5 cents,” Harris argued. “Have the testicular fortitude to move with the money because this way we don’t force future boards to make the decision for us.”
Harris said he sees the gas tax as “a user fee” and that the county can no longer delay the decision because the revenue is vital to future road and storm water improvements.
Commissioner Kelly Windes said he could support 3 cents but no more.
“It’s the right thing to do for the county, but it’s as far as I can go,” he said.
The 3-cent compromise is expected to generate an additional $1.3 million in 2014 and $1.8 million in 2015.
Florida law requires the county to share gas tax revenue with local cities. With Tuesday’s vote, commissioners agreed to share 36 percent of the additional revenue with the cities and keep 64 percent.