NOVEMBER 2024  

Vol. 1 Issue 12

County News - Election Special

Message from Chairman Jay Zembower

Dear Residents,

On behalf of the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to each of you for participating in this election and for your overwhelming support in renewing the Penny Sales Tax, which passed with more than 73% of the vote.

Your approval of the Fourth Generation of the Penny Sales Tax empowers us to move forward on essential projects that will improve our roadways, enhance water quality, and increase flood resilience. Each generation of the Penny Sales Tax has been a promise to deliver critical projects, and each generation has been a testament to promises made, promises kept. Thanks to your support, we can continue this legacy of accountability and accomplishment, working alongside our partners in Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Springs, and Seminole County Public Schools.

Additionally, I want to thank you for approving two Charter Amendments that strengthen protections for our natural lands and the Rural Boundary. With over 80% support, these amendments introduce new supermajority requirements, helping preserve the County’s rural character and safeguarding natural lands for generations to come. Your votes reflect a deep commitment to maintaining Seminole County as Florida’s Natural Choice.

Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in us to carry out these important responsibilities. Together, we’re building a stronger Seminole County for generations to come.

With appreciation,
Jay Zembower, Chairman
Seminole County Board of County Commissioners

Voters Approve Penny Sales Tax Renewal to Drive Infrastructure Improvements

In a significant show of support, Seminole County residents have renewed the Fourth Generation of the One Cent Infrastructure Sales Tax, known as the Penny Sales Tax. Since 1991, the Penny Sales Tax has empowered the County to address critical infrastructure needs, from enhancing road safety to expanding pedestrian connectivity.

As we enter this new phase, the Fourth Generation of the Penny Sales Tax will enable Seminole County, its seven cities, and Seminole County Public Schools to move forward with essential projects. On November 1, Seminole County celebrated the upcoming completion of the Wymore Road Improvement Project with the unveiling of a new Penny Sales Tax sign.

Commissioner Lee Constantine joined Seminole County Public Works to commemorate this $16 million project, which brings key upgrades to one of the County’s busiest corridors. Once complete, Wymore Road will provide a safer, less congested route with enhanced accessibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

Residents Pass Charter Amendments to Preserve Natural Lands and Rural Boundary

On Tuesday, Seminole County voters overwhelmingly supported two charter amendments, further solidifying the County’s commitment to preserving its cherished natural lands and protecting its Rural Boundary for generations to come.

The first amendment, requiring a supermajority vote by the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners for the sale or repurposing of designated natural lands, passed with over 84% approval. This new measure ensures that any proposed change to the County’s natural lands—such as converting a preserve to a non-natural use—will receive the highest level of scrutiny and support from the Board.

The second amendment, which passed with more than 82% of the vote, now requires a supermajority vote to remove property from the County’s Rural Area. Established by voters in 2004, the Rural Boundary protects the County's rural character and natural landscapes, encompassing approximately 74,000 acres on the County's east side. With the new supermajority requirement, any proposed changes to this boundary will require an elevated level of consensus among County Commissioners, providing additional protection to the County’s rural landscapes.

These amendments, which take effect on January 1, 2025, reflect Seminole County’s collective commitment to preserving its unique natural resources and rural character. This support from residents ensures that future generations will continue to enjoy the County’s natural beauty and distinctive landscapes.

Drop Off Campaign Signs for Recycling Through Nov. 25

Seminole County Solid Waste has partnered with PureCycle Technologies and the League of Women Voters to encourage the community to recycle political campaign signs after the election season. Now through November 25, candidates and residents can drop off campaign signs for free at the Central Transfer Station in Longwood. PureCycle will process the signs into a resin that can be repurposed and reused.

Campaign yard signs cannot be accepted in regular curbside recycling bins. These signs are made from #5 plastic (polypropylene), a material that is difficult and costly to recycle and often ends up in landfills. Through PureCycle’s innovative recycling process, contaminants, odors, and colors are removed from polypropylene, transforming it into an ultra-pure, sustainable resin that can be reused multiple times—helping to close the loop on #5 plastic waste.

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Seminole County Government, 1101 East 1st Street, Sanford, Fl 32771, United States