Broward sales tax increase approved:

Voters cast a decisive ballot for better roads, less congestion and more public transit options.

Broward voters cast a decisive ballot for better roads, less congestion and more public transit options Tuesday, agreeing to increase the sales tax they pay to bankroll $15.6 billion in transportation improvements over the next 30 years.

The successful sales tax referendum comes after voters defeated previous attempts in 2016, 2006 and 1990.

The vote means the county’s sales tax will increase Jan. 1 from 6 cents to 7 cents for every dollar of taxable goods purchased. About a third of the money will be paid by tourists and other visitors to the county. The money will be used to build wider roads, improve traffic signal synchronization, add buses and bus routes, install light rail and undertake hundreds of other road projects.

“I think it just shows that transportation is a key issue,” Commissioner Michael Udine said of the strong voter support. “People feel it every day. They’re hopeful that some relief can be provided.”

The new tax is expected to raise $357 million in its first year. The change makes Broward’s sales tax rate the same as in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.

The change amounts to a 17 percent increase in the sales tax, or about $174 a year for the average Broward family

Two political action committees raised about $333,000 to support the initiative, with most of the money coming from contractors, engineering firms and others who would benefit from the transportation work. The county budgeted $363,000 for its educational campaign on the tax.

“There’s such congestion and issues with mass transportation,” said Fort Lauderdale voter Annette King. “I’m all for anything that’s go-

ing to make it more efficient.”

A major controversy was over the $3.7 billion included in the plan for light rail projects. Previously proposed routes down Broward Boulevard and University Drive had been criticized by Plantation and Davie officials. County leaders said no light rail would be built without community buy-in to the plans.

Some voters were skeptical about the county’s ability to manage the money. Christine Gill, a Fort Lauderdale attorney, said she was still upset over the 2014 voter-approved $800 million Broward schools bond issue that is behind in completing promised projects.

“I’m not for taxes. I want to limit our taxes,” said Gill, who voted against the transportation tax.

In order to lessen voter worries, the county agreed to set up a nine-member oversight committee to review how the sales tax money is being spent.

“We made a commitment as a county that there would be full transparency,” Udine said.

The plan currently contains more than 700 projects requested by cities. Those projects will be reviewed and ranked by the Broward Metropolitan Organization, a countywide transportation planning group.

The plan also calls for more community bus shuttles, adding 72 miles of bike lanes, 40 miles of sidewalks and 95 miles of greenways for recreational walkers and bikers.

More than 80 traffic signals that are on span wires will be put on mast arms instead to protect them from falling down during hurricanes.