With 52 percent of the vote, Seminole County voters have approved a referendum increasing the sales tax to jump from 6 percent to 7 percent.
With all of the precincts reporting as of 10:00 p.m., 25,093 votes were cast in favor of the increase, and 23,022 votes were cast against the increase.
Seminole County's sales tax rate was 7 percent until 2011. County leaders then let the penny tax expire, citing a bad economy.
County commissioners, however, said reserve funds have dried up, and they need more money for county school, stormwater and road projects. The extra penny would generate $63 million of revenue each year.
People voting against the increase Tuesday said they've been taxed enough.
Voters recently just approved an increase in school property taxes.
"The property tax went up last year, and I think they should find the money somewhere else for schools and what have you,” voter Pam Bobinsky said.
Seminole County Public Schools leaders pledged to reduce the school property tax if the county sales tax increase passed. Supporters of the increase argue it spares property owners from paying as much.
"Let's face it: If we don't vote yes on it now, we're going to see it on our property taxes, and I think that's unfair because we have such a high number of tourists and rentals," said Ursula Umperovitch-Gray, a voter. "So making it on a sales tax -- it's pretty much spread across everybody."
Seminole County's sales tax increase will take effect Jan. 1, 2015, and will last for 10 years.