Okaloosa County BOCC — October 22, 2015 — Minutes

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, October 22, 2015 2:00 PM Emerald Coast Convention Center Council Members & Staff Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Departed Dale E. Peterson Chairman, Dale E. Peterson Vacations Present - - Thomas Rice Vice-Chairman, Magnolia Grill Present - - Melissa Matern Director of Marketing & Events, The Boardwalk/Bonezzi Dev. Present - - Martin Owen ResortQuest by Wyndham Present - - Thom Gossom Best Gurl, Inc. Absent - - Joe Guidry Ramada Plaza Resort Present - - Honorable Tuffy Dixon City of Destin Councilman Present - 3:45 pm Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Present - 4:15 pm Honorable Carolyn Ketchel Commissioner, District 2 Present 2:03 pm 4:15 pm Ed Schroeder Director, Tourist Development Department Present - - Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney Present - - Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman) Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 2:00pm. Council Member Minute Chairman Peterson welcomed Melissa Matern to the Council. Mr. Owen commented that October has been a great season so far. Mr. Guidry echoed the sentiment. Mayor Anderson stated there are many events in FWB right now, and next week they’ll be holding the Annual Employee Recognition function where City employees will be honored. Mr. Rice commented on the number of military groups who return to the area for reunions from all over the country. Commissioner Ketchel recognized the Daughters of the American Revolution for their patriotic garden at the Shalimar Administration Building. Ms. Matern commented that October has been a month full of events in our area. Attorney Update None Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) None Visitor - Okaloosa Tax Collector Year End Review (Josh Allen) Mr. Allen presented the year-end report, noting there are a few weeks left before fiscal year closeout. He also noted his office is testing new software to track units potentially not paying the tourist tax. Councilman Dixon asked about timeshare collections, Mr. Allen responded that it is a complicated system but he would provide more information about the statute to the council members. Mr. Owen asked what the penalties are, Mr. Allen responded that they are 10% every 30 days delinquent up to 50%. The County has authority to put a lien on a condo and g