Okaloosa County BOCC — March 3, 2015 — ECCC VISIT FLORIDA Partnership Payment in Advance — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: March 3, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Ed Schroeder SUBJECT: ECCC VISIT FLORIDA Partnership Payment in Advance DEPARTMENT: Tourist Development Department BCC DISTRICT: ALL STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval for payment in advance for VisitFlorida Small Business Partnership in the amount of $395.00. BACKGROUND: The Emerald Coast Convention Center has partnered with VisitFlorida, the State’s official tourism marketing corporation, for many years to attract more visitors and boost revenue through unique marketing programs that reach a large travel audience. The Small Business Partnership program is an annual pay to play opportunity and payment must be made in advance in order to participate. The convention center’s annual renewal period is March 1, 2015 - February 29, 2016 and the cost is $395 based on gross revenues. Per County policy, Board approval for advance payment may be requested if the payment results in savings equal to or greater than the amount earned by investing the funds and paying later or if the payment is essential to the operations of the agency and the goods or services are available only if advance payment is made. In this particular case, the services are available only if advance payment is made. The annual renewal has already been paid via credit card. VisitFlorida is unable to refund the credit card charge until an alternate payment method is made. To avoid the possibility of duplicate payment, Board ratification of the credit card payment is requested. OPTIONS: Approve or Disapprove RECOMMENDATION: Approve payment in advance for VisitFlorida Small Business Partnership in the amount of $395.00. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator