Up to $1 million from Brevard tourist tax on hotel rooms could go to lagoon projects

As much of $1 million a year from Brevard County's Tourist Development Tax will be going to Indian River Lagoon-related projects, under a proposal backed by tourism officials.

The plan — which is being pushed by Brevard County Commissioner Curt Smith — still needs the approval of the County Commission for it to take effect.

The advisory Brevard County Tourist Development Council on Friday voted unanimously to support a county ordinance change that would designate up to $1 million a year from the 5 percent tax on hotel rooms and other short-term rentals for "lagoon- and estuary-related projects."

More:Space Coast Office of Tourism Executive Director Garvey resigns, effective July 31

More:Florida Legislature OKs changes in Fine’s controversial tourism tax bill

Grants for the proposed "Tourism+Lagoon Plan" would be awarded through a competitive application process.

Under the proposal, projects that cost more than $50,000 would need to get matching funds of at least a 1-to-3 ratio or 300 percent from other sources, such as the federal or state government, before they could receive Tourist Development Tax money. In other words, a $100,000 project would need to receive $75,000 in matching funds from other sources before it could receive $25,000 in tourist tax money.

The County Commission is scheduled to discuss the proposal at its meeting that begins at 9 a.m. July 24 in the County Commission meeting room at the Brevard County Government Center, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building C, Viera. During that meeting, commissioners would need a majority vote to approve what's known as "legislative intent" in support of the proposal.

They also would schedule a public hearing for the proposed ordinance change, which would be held as early as Aug. 14. The final vote at that meeting would require a "supermajority" of at least four of the five commissioners for the plan to be implemented.

The proposed ordinance indicated that the changes would "provide for the advancement, growth and promotion of tourism in the county, while also helping to address the health, safety and welfare of the Indian River Lagoon."

Money for lagoon projects would come from the portion of the Tourist Development Tax designated for beach-related projects. The plan calls for beach renourishment to remain the top priority of that money. The second priority would be Indian River Lagoon projects. And the third priority would be beach park projects.

Smith said he suggested the idea of using some of Brevard's Tourist Development Tax money for the lagoon during a series of meeting he has had in recent months with Space Coast Office of Tourism Executive Director Eric Garvey and other tourism officials.

"I can't imagine anybody voting against it," Smith said. "It's not a political issue. It's personal. I just want to get it done, and start getting it funded."

Smith said a proposal approved this year by the Florida Legislature that was sponsored by Florida Rep. Randy Fine of Palm Bay led to this proposed change in the county ordinance on use of tourist tax money. Among other things, Fine's proposal added lagoon and estuary projects to the categories of projects that the tax could help fund.

Fine's legislation "opened the door" for the use of Tourist Development Tax money for the lagoon, Smith said. "I'm going to walk right into that thing."

Smith said he is "tickled to death" that the Tourist Development Council supported the proposal for using tourist tax money for lagoon projects, and that the proposal now is going to the County Commission for consideration.

If approved, funding for lagoon- and estuary-related projects would begin with the county budget year that starts Oct. 1.

Garvey detailed various categories of lagoon-related projects that could be funded by the tourist tax, including:

• Shoreline restoration and protection with sustainable technology.

• Indian River Lagoon shoreline and causeway litter control.

• Improved and sustainable recreational access.

• Support for sport fishing and wildlife viewing through marine life monitoring and habitat restoration.

• Water-quality testing related to tourism promotions and special events.

• Public information and education.

Among other details of the program, Garvey said:

• A competitive grant program will be established under the Tourist Development Council Beach Committee, with annual approval by the Tourist Development Council of grant program policies and procedures and project grant awards.

• Projects with awards greater than $100,000 must be approved by the County Commissioners, following a recommendation by the Tourist Development Council.

• Projects with awards of $100,000 or less would need to be approved by Tourist Development Council, but not the County Commission.

• Projects must "demonstrate a benefit to the health of the Indian River Lagoon and a positive impact to Brevard County tourism."

• Project funding allocation may not be used to finance projects with a multiyear debt obligation.

• Up to 10 percent of the money may be used for a communications plan focused on lagoon-specific tourism marketing, public information and education.

• The remaining money, a minimum of 90 percent, will be structured as a competitive project grant program.

Garvey said the Tourist Development Council funding will supplement the work plans of the Save Our Indian River Lagoon programs funded by a special half-percent sales tax and of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program.

Fine in the past has criticized the Brevard County Tourist Development Council and the Brevard County Commission for some of the capital projects they funded using Tourist Development Tax money.

The county collected $13.6 million from the Tourist Development Tax in the budget year that ended Sept. 30, and is 15 percent above that pace for the first half of the current budget year.

Forty-seven percent of Brevard's tourist development tax revenue is used for promotion and advertising of Space Coast tourism in an effort to attract more tourists. The rest is used for beach improvement, capital facilities, the Brevard Zoo, cultural events, Space Coast Stadium and visitor information centers.

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY. 

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649

or dberman@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @bydaveberman

Facebook: /dave.berman.54

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