Sales-tax backers get clout

The Daily Commercial - October 5, 2001
By MONICA SCOTT
Sentinel Staff Writer

The group leading the push to extend Lake County's 1-cent local-option sales tax has tapped a Jacksonville heavy hitter to help spearhead a campaign blitz leading up to the Nov. 6 vote.

Bruce Barcelo -- one of the state's top pollsters and political consultants -- comes to the table with several local initiatives under his belt.

"I think anytime you can bring someone in with expertise in doing that type of work, it can be positive," School Superintendent Pam Saylor said Thursday of Barcelo's hiring.

The school district stands to pick up a third of the $19 million the tax would generate annually for the next 15 years. The county and Lake cities also would get a third each.

Stephen Baker, who is with Jacksonville University's Political Research Center, called Barcelo a "leading political consultant in the area who is also involved in the community quite a bit."

Aubrey Jewett, a University of Central Florida political science professor, said the decision by a political action committee called Lake County, Cities and Schools for the Future to call in a consultant may prove to be wise.

"It is probably a smart idea for the PAC to bring in a professional campaign manager to develop a cohesive campaign," Jewett said.

Clermont City Council member Keith Mullins said, "If you can get somebody good at it," it can help educate the public.

Barcelo has worked for Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney, who successfully pushed an initiative last year for a half-cent sales tax for capital projects. The measure passed easily with 56.5 percent of the vote.

Barcelo, who didn't return calls, has had a hand in sales-tax campaigns in Osceola and Sarasota counties.

Lake officials have been tight-lipped about their strategy, concerned about tipping their hands to opponents.

But behind the scenes, Lake County, Cities and Schools for the Future is laying the groundwork for a big splash before the referendum.

PAC member Jim Archey, former executive director of the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, said the group plans to emphasize the need for the tax.

Barcelo's hiring, along with a poll he solicited and a list of 12 questions and answers about the tax, are the first visible signs of the sales-tax campaign.

The poll sought to gauge voters' concerns and their level of confidence in the county, schools and cities.

Although details have not been released, some officials said the cities appeared to have fared best in public perception.

Officials said the schools had a better showing than expected and the county still has to overcome some trust concerns of residents.

Lake County Property Appraiser Ed Havill, one of the main opponents of the sales tax, said local officials can't be trusted not to waste the money.

"I am still confident it will be voted down," Havill said. "They have hired a gunslinger to come pull a campaign together that has been rather disorganized.

"They're trying to hoodwink the voters, but they're [voters] too smart."

Doug Guetzloe, a longtime Central Florida anti-tax crusader, said direct-mail pieces and yard signs opposing the sales-tax extension will be coming in the next week or two.

Monica Scott can be reached at mlscott@orlandosentinel.com or at 352-742-5919.