St. Petersburg’s proposed $600 million infrastructure bond referendum has attracted more supporters than opponents, but a new poll suggests that the measure has yet to sway a majority of voters as Election Day approaches.
A St. Pete Polls survey conducted Oct. 22-23 found that 44.5% of likely voters favor the referendum, compared to 20.6% opposed. Another 34.9% declined to state a position.
The findings come as the proposal has emerged as a point of disagreement in the mayoral election. Mayor Ken Welch supports the bond as a way to accelerate critical infrastructure improvements, while challenger Charlie Crist opposes the additional borrowing amid concerns about costs to taxpayers.
During the Oct. 13 mayoral debate televised on Spectrum Bay New 9, Crist acknowledged the need to address flooding and aging infrastructure but stated that the cost exceeds what he’s willing to impose on residents, particularly under rising economic hardships such as gas and grocery prices.
“I don’t want to burden you with more debt on the city,” Crist said.
Welch countered that previous administrations had failed to make necessary infrastructure investments (notably, the four former living mayors who have endorsed Crist for mayor), arguing that further delays would only prolong the city’s problems.
“We cannot afford to kick this down the road again,” Welch said.
The disagreement presents voters with two competing approaches to financing the city’s aging infrastructure, even as the survey indicates a substantial portion of the electorate has not expressed a hardline position on the referendum quite yet.
That uncertainty is pronounced among residents who have yet to vote: 38.8% of respondents who said they still planned to cast ballots supported the referendum, compared to 19.2% who opposed. Another 42% declined to state a position.
Among those who reported already voting, support reached 52%, compared to 22.8% opposed and 25.2% who declined to state a position.
The referendum would authorize the city to issue up to $600 million in general obligation bonds to fund stormwater, wastewater and drinking water improvements.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Welch has argued that accelerating the projects is necessary to address flooding, aging infrastructure and the potential costs of further delays – longstanding city issues that were revealed following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Meanwhile, Crist has questioned whether residents should shoulder additional property taxes and long-term debt while facing rising living expenses.
The city estimates that repaying the bonds would require approximately 0.96 additional mills in property taxes, equivalent to $96 annually for every $100,000 in taxable property value.
The bond program could shorten the city’s infrastructure improvement timeline from approximately 24 years to 19 years, according to city estimates.
The survey included 478 likely St. Petersburg voters and carries a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Respondents were contacted through automated telephone calls and text messages, with results weighted by political party, race, age and gender.