Sacramento County officials on Tuesday agreed to support a sales tax increase to fund the regional park system.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to seek state legislation to allow a November 2012 election for a 0.1 percent sales tax increase.

If approved by two-thirds of county voters, the tax would raise $17 million annually to support the county’s 32 regional parks, including the popular American River Parkway.

Such a tax would add 1 cent to a $10 purchase.

The move came after a four-hour hearing, at which park advocates warned that the state legislative session offers only a small window this summer to move the proposed bill.

There was also general agreement about the desire for a fix before another disastrous county budget cycle next year.

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