Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: WHAT IS MOBILITYWORKS 2.0
The JTA’s MobilityWorks 2.0 is a program designed to complete projects funded by the extension and expansion of the Local Option Gas Tax and is part of the Jobs for Jax Program.
Q: WHAT IS JOBS FOR JAX?
Jobs for Jax is a transportation improvement program developed in partnership by the City of Jacksonville and JTA that includes 72 projects focused on roadway and drainage needs.
Q: WHAT ARE THE DEFINITIONS OF DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND INDUCED JOBS?
Direct jobs: employment created to fulfill the demand for a product or service.
Indirect jobs: jobs that exist to produce the goods and services needed by the workers with direct jobs.
Induced jobs: jobs that are a result of direct/indirect employee’s spending money in the community.
Total jobs include direct as well as indirect and induced jobs.
Q: WHAT IS A LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX OR LOCAL OPTION FUEL TAX?
The Local Option Gas Tax (LOGT), also known as the Local Option Fuel Tax, is authorized through Sections 206.87(1)(b), 206.87(1)(c), 336.021, and 336.025, Florida Statutes. This allows county governments to levy up to 12 cents of local option gas tax per gallon. Thirty-one Florida counties, including Nassau and Clay, exercise the option to charge the full amount ($0.12). Jobs for Jax fully leverages the 12-cent LOGT. The Florida Department of Revenue administers, collects, and enforces local option gas taxes.
Q: WHY A GAS TAX?
Leveraging the gas tax allows Jacksonville address critical transportation and
infrastructure needs. A gas tax shares the burden among all roadway users. The LOGT impacts anyone purchasing motor fuel in Duval County, including residents, tourists, and anyone passing through the county on their way to other destinations.
Unlike a property tax increase, the gas tax revenue is earmarked to be used only for transportation infrastructure investments. This means that future City Administrations and City Council leaders cannot redirect the funds to projects outside of infrastructure. Additionally, visitors and commuters outside Duval County, who stop for gas along area roadways, will contribute to this revenue source.
Q: WHY NOW?
Significant and continuous investments are necessary to meet the current and long-term infrastructure needs to support Jacksonville’s status as innovative and growing city.
Q: HOW WILL FUNDS FROM THE GAS TAX BE USED THROUGHOUT DUVAL COUNTY?
Funds collected through the LOGT can only be used for “transportation expenditures” pursuant to Section 336.025(1), Florida Statutes.
According to those rules, “transportation expenditures” are defined as the following:
- Public transportation operations and maintenance.
- Roadway and right-of-way maintenance and equipment and structures used primarily for the storage and maintenance of such equipment.
- Roadway and right-of-way drainage.
- Street lighting installation, operation, maintenance, and repair.
- Traffic signs, traffic engineering, signalization, and pavement markings, installation, operation, maintenance, and repair.
- Bridge maintenance and operation.
- Debt service and current expenditures for transportation capital projects in the foregoing program areas, including construction or reconstruction of roads and sidewalks.