COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A sales tax increase in Franklin County went into effect on Tuesday after voters passed Issue 47 in November to help fund new transportation projects. The Central Ohio Transit Authority placed the 0.5% increase on the ballot to fund $2 billion in new Bus Rapid Transit lin es along with hundreds of miles of new sidewalks and bike paths. COTA's share of the sales tax is now 1%, up from 0.5%. Franklin County's total sales tax rate now sits at 8%, up from 7.5%, tying it with Cuyahoga County for the highest in Ohio. Ohio lawmakers look to eliminate highest income tax rate, switch to flat tax The measure passed with about 57% voting in favor of the measure. The increase means consumers will pay an extra 5 cents for every $10 spent. Areas of Delaware, Licking, Fairfield and Union counties that are served by COTA will also see the 0.5% increase. “I think it’s really important for people to realize how this is going to improve their quality of life,” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther told NBC4 in July. “It’s going to connect our entire community, whether you live in Dublin, Grove City, the Near East Side, in a township, all over the COTA service area.” The levy is expected to bring in more than $6 billion by 2050, allowing COTA to add new zones and transit lines over the next five years, the company previously stated. ...read more read less