Hillsborough County voters will have one more opportunity to question school district officials about the half-cent sales tax for schools before the Nov. 3 election.

Hillsborough County Public Schools will host a virtual town hall Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Microsoft Teams. The session is the final meeting in a five-part series the district launched in September, according to an HCPS press release issued Sept. 17.

The district also posted the announcement on the Lennard High School and East Bay High School pages.

Voters will decide whether to continue existing tax

The ballot question, listed as Referendum 3: Continue the Half-Cent Sales Tax for Schools, asks voters whether to continue the existing half-cent sales tax for another 10 years.

The proposal is a continuation of a tax Hillsborough voters originally approved in 2018, rather than an additional half-cent tax.

District officials estimate the tax costs the average Hillsborough household about $8 per month. Groceries and prescriptions are exempt, as is the portion of a taxable purchase above the first $5,000. Tourists account for an estimated 25% of the revenue, the Osprey Observer reported.

Revenue from the tax can be used for school construction, building improvements and maintenance. It cannot be used for salaries or other classroom operating expenses.

Since voters first approved the tax in 2018, HCPS says it has invested more than $1.326 billion in school improvements and awarded more than $716 million to local businesses.

Completed work includes air-conditioning replacements at more than 177 schools, more than 60 roof replacements and 208 safety upgrades, according to the Plant City Observer.

District officials say about 80 schools still need HVAC work and more than 1,700 additional projects remain.

District projects up to $131 million a year

If voters approve the renewal, district officials project the tax would generate between $121 million and $131 million annually over the next decade, Fox 13 reported.

Deputy Superintendent Christopher Farkas told attendees at a Sept. 22 town hall at Newsome High School that existing state funding does not cover all of the district's maintenance needs.

"The funding from the state is not currently matching what we need to do, just roofs and AC alone," Farkas said.

School Board member Patty Rendon said at the Newsome meeting that roughly 20% of the district's schools are between 90 and 100 years old.

District officials said major renovation projects can take two to three years to plan.

Oversight committee will join final meeting

Members of the district's independent Citizen Oversight Committee will participate in the Oct. 14 session. The committee is made up of community leaders who review spending from the tax and monitor whether the money is used for its designated purposes.

The committee meets monthly, and its meetings are recorded and available online.

The final virtual town hall will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, on Microsoft Teams.

Referendum 3 will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.