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Board of County Commissioners <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />May 28, 2014 <br />Table 3 below shows the overall points ratings from the TDC and the ranking for each agency, <br />along with the amount of funding to be awarded in accordance with the policy adopted by the <br />Board of County Commissioners on March 4, 2003. <br />Table 3 <br />TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL RATING SUMMARY <br />Funding Per Policy - 3/4/2003 (Use of $70,000 Fund Balance) <br />Organization <br />2013/2014 <br />Funding <br />Total <br />Points <br />Ranking <br />2014/2015 <br />Revised <br />Request <br />Funding Per <br />Policy <br />Indian River County Chamber <br />of Commerce & Sebastian <br />Chamber of Commerce <br />Treasure Coast Sports <br />Commission <br />Historical Society <br />Vero Heritage <br />Cultural Council <br />........................................................................................................................... <br />Main Street Vero Beach <br />$0 <br />886 <br />773 <br />754 <br />752 <br />601 <br />1 <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />$428,578 <br />............................................... <br />$150,400 <br />$20,000 <br />$12,000 <br />............................................... <br />$60,000 <br />................................................ <br />$5,000 <br />$0 <br />Total <br />$653,313 <br />$675,978 <br />$666,650 <br />As a compromise, staff would support utilizing an additional $4,328 in fund balance (for a total <br />of $74,328) to fully fund the Cultural Council at the same level of funding received last year <br />($60,000). Staff does not recommend funding the Main Street Vero Beach request. This request <br />is to provide funding support for the Hibiscus Festival. Several TDC members were supportive <br />of the festival, but expressed concerns about its impact on tourism. Staff is in agreement that the <br />Hibiscus Festival is a wonderful local event. However, it appears that the impact on tourism is <br />relatively minor. Further, staff is concerned about setting a precedent in funding a specific <br />festival. This County has many unique and entertaining festivals that enrich the quality of life <br />and help define our communities. If each of those festivals were to receive Tourist Tax funding, <br />there would be very little left for other tourism promotion activities. It should be noted that the <br />Cultural Council initially requested an increase of $8,400 primarily aimed at supporting their <br />Celebrate the Arts Festival. During the meeting, the Cultural Council's Board Chairman <br />voluntarily reduced the agency's funding request essentially eliminating the funding for the <br />Celebrate the Arts Festival. Please see staff's recommended funding levels in Table 4 below. <br />97 <br />