ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — People for and against Orange County’s proposed penny sales tax increase are making their voices heard before county commissioners decide whether to place the measure on the ballot.

The measure would raise the sales tax to 7.5% to provide an estimated $600 million per year for transportation projects, including expanding Lynx and SunRail stops. Tourists and visitors are expected to contribute 51 percent of that revenue, according to the proposal.

The tax would apply to the first $5,000 per single purchase, but essential food items, prescription drugs and utilities would be exempt.

The county’s proposal is more than 1,100-pages and comprises a decades-long project that estimates the total expansion and maintenance costs would be $21 billion over 20 years. The proposal explains current local, state and federal funding options would not be enough to cover the project.

Annie Lott, the co-chair of Central Floridians for Public Transit, said she wants this tax increase to be approved to improve the county’s transit system.

“[Taking the bus] does add a lot of time to your commute or getting anywhere that you need to go because the service is frankly so poor right now,” she said. “It needs to be a lot, lot better to compete with cars.”

Lott said she rides the bus when she can to travel from her home in the UCF area to downtown.

“I choose to ride the bus mostly because it’s convenient for me to get downtown, but also for the sustainability reasons,” Lott said.

Peter Duke, a local real estate developer with Hourglass Homes, said he wants other options to be explored. He said he believes an increase in the sales tax is being marketed as the only option.

“I wouldn’t mind a restaurant tax surcharge,” he offered. “I think dining out is a luxury that I’m able to enjoy, but I wouldn’t mind paying a little bit extra for it rather than a blanket sales tax that affects everything.”

Duke said he wonders whether the county could implement measures “more incumbent on the tourists in the area,” such as a rental car tax or hotel surcharge, to help make up the difference.

“Maybe we could get by with shouldering just a half-percent tax increase,” he suggested.

County commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposal again April 5 and 26. At that second meeting, they are expected to decide whether to place the measure on the ballot for voters to decide in November.