Okaloosa County BOCC — May 29, 2014 — reading text

$1M from ad valorem taxes from Okaloosa County and $200K paid from TDC funds. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 2 of 12 April 24, 2014 Packet Pg. 7  1.a 2) In reference to Commissioner Parisot’s statement that no one said “tax me,” Ms. Sherry stated that for four years the Holiday Isle folks said in annual meetings to “tax me and tax Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Apr 24, 2014 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale my neighbors.” 3) Ms. Sherry also stated that $2.1M is remaining, clarifying that $4.3M started going into the MSBU funds, but as two areas in Destin and Okaloosa Island were removed, the money had to be returned with interest per state statute. 4) In reference to Mr. Johnston’s statement that Okaloosa Islanders and Destin people had their MSBU money refunded, she stated that it was due to them not receiving the project. Ms. Sherry further added three reasons why the TDC should oppose repeal of the MSBU: 1) Holiday Isle owners advocated for the MSBU and called it fair and equitable, and now changed their minds and want refunds. 2) The additional $354,277 project monitoring costs to be paid from the First Penny TDC collections mentioned by Mr. Sherry is not new, but in fact was discussed at the City of Destin’s Council 2012 meeting and stated all related costs are to be reimbursed by the TDC. 3) This expense can easily be paid by the City of Destin without TDC or County action. No Holiday Isle owner attended the BCC meetings to request a refund or placed a request on the Destin City Council agenda. Councilmember’s Minute (Dale Peterson- Chairman) Mr. Peterson continued by noting this item has been added to the agenda for anyone to have the opportunity to speak about things not previously discussed. He provided this time to ask if any member has concerns not mentioned in past meetings and the only question was asked by Thom Gossom, Owner/Best Gurl, Inc., in regards to receiving the meeting packet several days ahead of the meeting to allow time for reviewing. I. Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Peterson- Chairman) Motion to Approve March 27, 2014 TDC Meeting Minutes Which Included the Amended Version RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Empson AYES: Gossom, Guidry, Rigdon, Windes, Peterson, Dixon, Joyce Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 3 of 12 April 24, 2014 Packet Pg. 8  1.a II. Director’s Update (Ed Schroeder) a. Introduction of new Marine Economic & Tourist Development Resource Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Apr 24, 2014 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Coordinator Ed Schroeder, TDD Director, asked Jim Trifilio to introduce TDD’s new employee, Anthony Austermann, hired to work on the artificial reef system and developing/increasing focus on eco-tourism and nature-based tourism. b. March Month End Lodging Reports from Smith Travel Research Mr. Schroeder reminded the TDC that these reports in the packet are just hotel data activity within the district. c. UWF NWF Bed Tax Analysis As Mr. Schroeder reviewed the Northwest Florida Bed Tax report, he explained that this is the most recent data for January 2014. He is expecting February’s report by the end of this month. d. RESTORE Act Update Mr. Schroeder reported that there is no new update on this item, but stated it is essential for the TDC to submit tourism-related projects and invited the TDC to submit project ideas for the TDD to research and present for TDC determination. e. Chart of Authorized Uses of TDT Funds Mr. Schroeder stated that this report is provided due to a request at the last meeting, adding that the chart describes how each penny can be used and lines up with the financial report. Mr. Peterson asked if this report is based on the County Ordinance. Mr. Schroeder confirmed that it is. III. Financial Status Update (Charlotte Dunworth) a. February Month End Tax Revenue Reports from the Okaloosa County Tax Collector Ms. Dunworth asked if there were any questions regarding the Okaloosa County Tax Collector reports submitted and there were no questions at this time. b. April Financial Update Ms. Dunworth reported that based on year-to-date receipts, our revenues are on track to generate about $13.4M this year, which is 11 ½ % more than budgeted on tax collection. Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 4 of 12 April 24, 2014 Packet Pg. 9  1.a Regarding the Third and Fifth Percentage report, Ms. Dunworth commented on the line item for the Ad Agency and the In-House Strategic Marketing Plans and stated the Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Apr 24, 2014 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale amended budgets do not equal the adopted budgets due to an error in her formula, which she will correct before this report is presented to the BCC on May 6th for their quarterly update. Joe Guidry asked Ms. Dunworth if $13.4M is forecasting a downturn. Ms Dunworth correctly stated she is forecasting an increase based on the budget-to-actual comparison and not what was collected in 2013. She further explained that this revpar information is only a benchmark for this year and is based on the tax collector’s reports. Mr. Schroeder asked Mr. Peterson if the revpar information was of interest to him. Mr. Peterson replied that he is interested in this information. Ms. Joyce agreed that revpar info gives the true story of comparisons. Commissioner Windes asked each speaker to state the specific page number of the item discussed in the meeting for ease of following along. Ms. Dunworth continued with reporting on the Expenditure Transaction Analysis data and stated this is provided to assist the TDC in identifying possibly unauthorized expenditures. Mr. Peterson asked Ms. Dunworth if we have insurance on the Welcome Center and Emerald Coast Convention Center facilities. She replied that she has contacted Risk Management requesting the backup detail for how those figures are arrived at in the budget. Thom Gossom added that he did not see anything in the report that related to lifeguards and safety issues discussed in previous meetings. Mr. Peterson stated that data on lifeguards is in the Second Penny section of this report. He explained the Destin Fire District was given $500K for lifeguards and they are required to give exact accounting of spending this money based on the State statutes. He further stated that the County received $500K for lifeguards and will verify if the money was actually spent on lifeguards and if they have used all of it. Motion to Approve Financial Update as Provided RESULT: MOTION APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Rice SECONDER: Empson, Rigdon AYES: Gossom, Guidry, Windes, Peterson, Dixon, Joyce Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department Page 5 of 12 April 24, 2014 Packet Pg. 10  1.a IV. Convention Center Update (Bill Leaman) a. Bayview Plaza Grand Opening Update. Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Apr 24, 2014 2:00 PM (Consider Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council Meeting Minutes (Dale Bill Leaman announced that there will be a grand opening of the Bayview Plaza on Monday, June 9, 5pm – 9pm and invitations are extended to out of town/potential customers and local/potential customers, as well as extending invitations to the Chambers and local businesses. Mr. Leaman added that there will be a trade show, entertainment, banquet area, and an area to educate clients and famtour members of the overall complex. b. Porte Cochere Update Mr. Leaman reported that architectural drawings and bid spec construction documents are available of the Porte Cochere. He stated that the old Genesis contract is due to close in the upcoming BOCC meeting and a task order issued for final bid specs by the time this project is completed. He will be requesting permission to bid on the approved Porte Cochere. V. Marketing Update (Kendra Moore-Nixon) a. Industry Partner Strategic Marketing Plan Follow up Kendra Moore-Nixon announced exciting news about the progress of the promotional marketing ads. A follow-up industry partner meeting will be scheduled in May. Ms. Moore-Nixon will send an email when a date for the follow up meeting is determined.