Okaloosa County BOCC — April 28, 2016 — Minutes

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Regular Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Thursday, April 28, 2016 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 - 2:20 Thom Gossom Owner, Best Gurl, Inc.- Mktg & Comm. Firm Present - - Joe Guidry Manager, Ramada Plaza Beach & RV Resorts Present - - Director of Marketing & Events, The Melissa Matern Present Boardwalk/Bonezzi Development Bruce Craul Chief Operating Office, HarborWalk Hospitality Present 3:05 - Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Present 2:02 - Honorable Jim Foreman City of Destin Representative Present Honorable Kelly Windes Commissioner, District 5 Present - - 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 2:00 PM Council Member Minute Mayor Anderson thanked everyone for their support of the Military Appreciation event. He also reminded everyone about Concert in the Park starting May 6 weekly through July 15. Visitors are welcome to attend. He added there is an FDOT meeting on May 17th at the Convention Center regarding Brooks Bridge replacement. Mr. Windes let everyone know the BCC finalized the Crestview Courthouse financing. Mr. Rice gifted Mr. Joe Guidry with a small bell for his Salvation Army fundraising of over $160,000. Mr. Guidry thanked Mr. Rice for the opportunity to raise funds through bell ringing. Mr. Peterson mentioned VisitFlorida stat of $89.1M tourism impact to the state. Ms. Matern reported the recent Volleyball Tournament was a huge success, and mentioned Harley Davidson Earthquake event this upcoming weekend. Attorney Update a. TDT Legislative Change to F.S. 125.0104 (HB 7099) The changes will go into effect on the 1st of July. As a county we will implement the changes on October 1, 2016, with the new fiscal year budget. The changes, with the TDC’s recommendation and Board’s approval, allow the use of up to 10% of tourist taxes from the first three pennies in public safety expenditures for Lifeguards, Sheriff’s Office and EMS/public safety. Chairman Peterson requested at least two or three years of expense records from these organizations to use as a benchmark. Director Update Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) Destin resident, Patti De