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14. <br />10:13 <br />a.m. <br />COMMISSIONERS MATTERS <br />A. <br />Commissioner Bob Solari, Chairman <br />1. Discussion regarding proposal to fund Visit Florida <br />(memorandum dated December 2, 2015) <br />Chairman Solari reported on a proposal being considered by <br />the House of Representatives' tax committee, which would <br />mandate that 20% of locally -collected Tourist Development <br />tax revenues are diverted from local communities to fund the <br />tourist industry marketing corporation, Visit Florida. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Vice Chairman Flescher, <br />SECONDED by Chairman Solari, to direct staff to track the <br />proposed Tourist Tax legislation, and draft a Resolution of <br />opposition to same. <br />Assistant County Attorney Kate Pingolt-Cotner asked if the <br />Board also wanted to oppose proposed legislation allowing <br />10% of Tourist Development taxes to be used for tourism - <br />related law enforcement costs. <br />Commissioner O'Bryan stated that it might be premature to <br />draft a Resolution since neither proposal has become an actual <br />bill, but agreed that this issue should be monitored. <br />Further discussion ensued as the Board determined that it <br />would be appropriate to go ahead and draft a Resolution <br />stressing the County's home rule authority and opposing <br />mandatory funneling of Tourist Development Taxes away <br />from the local community. <br />MOTION WAS AMENDED by Vice Chairman Flescher, <br />SECONDED by Chairman Solari, to direct the County <br />Attorney's office to track any proposed legislation which <br />would mandate the diversion of Tourist Development tax <br />funds from local communities, and to draft a Resolution <br />declaring the Board's support for the State to leave the <br />Tourist Development Tax as is and not infringe on the <br />County's home rule authority; and the Board's opposition to <br />any State mandate that the County divert Tourist <br />Development Tax Funds away from the local community. <br />The Chairman CALLED THE QUESTION and the Amended <br />Motion carried unanimously. <br />County Attorney Dylan Reingold stated that the draft <br />Resolution would be brought before the Board at the <br />December 15, 2015 County Commission meeting. <br />248-251 <br />Board of County Commission Meeting Page 10 <br />December 8, 2015 <br />