County officials are considering conducting a mail-in ballot special election April 10 in which voters would be asked to approve the proposed five-year tax.

TONY JUDNICH @Tonyjnwfdn

CRESTVIEW – The Okaloosa County Commission on Tuesday plans to consider whether to approve an ordinance that would impose a county half-cent sales tax, set the date of a referendum and establish the proposed ballot language.

County officials are considering conducting a mail-in ballot special election April 10 in which voters would be asked to approve the proposed five-year tax.

If approved by a simple majority of voters, the tax would take effect Jan. 1, 2019, remain in place through Dec. 31, 2023 and generate an estimated $17 million annually. Much of the money would help pay for governmental improvements and infrastructure work in the unincorporated area and local municipalities.

The possible mailed ballot could contain the following proposition: “The county and municipalities require revenue for construction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges; stormwater facilities; law enforcement, public safety and other governmental facilities, vehicles and equipment; corrections, parks and other necessary improvements, including payment of debt for public facilities. Shall the county be authorized to levy a five-year, one-half cent per dollar sales surtax on taxable transactions occurring within Okaloosa County to become effective January 1, 2019 to fund such costs?”

The commission on Tuesday also could consider a resolution that includes a statement of the board’s intention to decrease property tax rates if voters approve the sales tax.

The resolution also calls for the establishment of a five-member infrastructure surtax advisory committee. It would advise and make recommendations to the commission on proposed sales tax-funded projects and expenditures.

Each commissioner would appoint a voter from his or her district to sit on the committee.

Tuesday’s meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. at Crestview City Hall.