Much attention has been paid to Greenlight Pinellas, but that's not the only transit-related referendum appearing on Bay area ballots.

Polk County is set to vote on the referendum known as My Ride/My Roads, which would increase the sales tax to 8 percent, and in the process raising money for road maintenance and expanded bus service throughout the county.

Currently, transit in Polk County is paid for by a portion of property taxes. According to the Tampa Bay Partnership, a regional organization that focuses on economic growth and development, bus transit in Polk County currently receives $3.5 million per year from property taxes.  

The referendum's developers say the sales tax increase would raise more than $60 million per year, with half going to transit and the other half going to road projects.  The increased tax would be in place until 2029, then would need voter approval to continue.

The referendum has led to heated debates leading up to the Nov. 4 election.  Supporters of the referendum say the increased bus service will help the poor and working class residents of Polk's suburban communities get to jobs, while supporting the county's economic development by maintaining the roads.

However, those who oppose the referendum say the sales tax increase would hurt business by increasing the cost of goods and services.  In addition, they also say the county should look for ways to pay for services without raising taxes.

Tim Rice, who owns a Lakeland air conditioning business, has been one of the more vocal opponents of the the referendum. He told our partners at the Ledger that if the referendum is passed, it would hurt business and cost the county jobs. He said the county should look at funding those projects through the increased value of property taxes as the area grows.

Tom Phillips, who is the executive director of the Polk Transit Authority, told the Ledger that the referendum's developers considered that, but they ultimately decided that a sales tax was a more equitable solution than the property tax.

The Ledger reports that if the referendum passes, local officials have promised to eliminate the property taxes now used to pay for roads and transit.

Citrus County voters will also vote on a similar referendum, known as the Cent for Citrus referendum.  As with My Roads/My Ride, Cent for Citrus would increase the county's sales tax by one cent to pay for resurfacing and maintenance of all paved, residential roads owned by the county

Read the full text of the referendum

"Shall Polk County fund the MyRide/MyRoad initiative to provide for comprehensive transportation and bus networks, including express bus service to airports, area attractions, and veteran's hospital, transportation for night shift workers, maintenance and improvements to the County's roadways, and construction of new roadways, by levying a one percent sales surtax from January 1, 2015, until December 31, 2029; to be deposited into trust fund and half shared with Polk Transit Authority?"