The Penny’s Vital Role in Public Safety
From New First Responder Vehicles to Updated Safety Equipment and Training Facilities, the Local Option Sales Tax Helps Keep Citizens Safe
For the past 34 consecutive years Escambia County's 1-cent Local Option Sales Tax has generated a steady $2 billion revenue stream funding a wide variety of public services and facilities.
From sidewalks to playground equipment to fire engines and new community centers, the power of this single penny has played a vital role in improving the quality of life that Escambia citizens enjoy today.
Perhaps most visible and impactful of the many permitted uses for L.O.S.T. revenues is devoted to Public Safety.
For example, the Pensacola Police Department and Sheriff's Office patrol vehicles – paid for by L.O.S.T. dollars – are seen daily covering hundreds of square miles of city and county streets and highways.
L.O.S.T. revenues are used to buy those big red $1 million fire engines seen rushing out of fire stations to provide critical First Responder services throughout the city and county.
And those examples are just few of the public safety uses funded by L.O.S.T. dollars.
The penny plays a significant role in keeping Escambia County communities safe and improving the quality of life for local families. Renewal of the Local Option Sales Tax in November will keep these critical funds available to support the needs of the public safety teams that protect us.
“Most citizens will never notice a new patrol vehicle or upgraded communications system, and that is exactly the point," says Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons. "They should simply expect that when they call 911, a well-trained deputy arrives quickly, equipped with dependable vehicles, reliable communications, modern technology, and the resources necessary to protect them.”
"That level of preparedness does not happen by accident," Simmons continues. "It requires long-term planning, responsible financial stewardship, and sustained investment in the infrastructure that supports public safety.”
"The Local Option Sales Tax has allowed us to make those investments while protecting our operating budget and maintaining the high level of service the citizens of Escambia County expect and deserve."
Here are some of the recently completed public safety projects L.O.S.T. has funded in both the city and county:
City of Pensacola
Construction of the $3.7 million Fire Station #3 on Summit Blvd
$3.6 million for replacement of several fire trucks, new radios, thermal imaging cameras and fire training simulator
$8.2 million for new Police Department marked and unmarked vehicles
$6.5 million in new radios, facility upgrades and other new equipment
Escambia County
Systematic replacement of patrol vehicles
Equip deputies with modern in-car computers, body-worn cameras, and in-car camera systems
Modernization of Training Academy and Firearms training facilities
Plans to purchase 40 new patrol cars if extension of LOST through 2038 is approved by voters in November
