ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — UPDATE: Orange County commissioners voted 4-3 Tuesday to advance a transportation sales tax referendum to the election ballot this fall.

“I’m happy that our Board, at least the majority, saw fit to give the power to the people and let residents decide whether to tax themselves in this manner,” Mayor Jerry L. Demings said in a news release.

Read our previous story below:

If you live and work in Orange County, chances are you’ve had a few choice words about transportation: congestion on I-4, long bus trips or the SunRail.

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Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings understands all of this. That is why he is asking voters to pay a little more in the form of a one-cent sales tax hike.

READ: Penny sales tax increase: Orange County commissioners to decide whether to add proposal on ballot

More than 40 speakers were scheduled to give their opinions about the tax Tuesday.

After hours of discussion, commissioners decided now is the right time to put the decision to voters.

READ: “We must act now”: Mayor Demings pushes penny sales tax hike ahead of key commission vote

At their previous meeting, commissioners had a lot of questions, and it was not clear whether they would get behind the transportation tax or not.

Demings said not doing it could have huge impacts on Central Florida. If we don’t invest in transportation, it will get worse and worse because the county is already so far behind.

READ: Penny sales tax increase: See the Orange County mayor’s list of possible transportation projects

VIDEO: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings pushes penny sales tax hike ahead of key commission vote Orange County Commissioners will vote Tuesday on whether to include a proposed penny sales tax increase on the November ballot. (Christy Turner, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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