6/16/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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JUN 16 � 1 goOx. f� E NOTE: Later in the meeting, Chairman Eggert recognized that Mr. Jacque Steer, who had requested to be heard on this item, had arrived a few minutes late, and he made the following presentation. Jacque Steer, whose family owns and operates the Days Inn on State Road 60, came before the Board and pointed out that the Tourist Development Council recently decided that the primary criterion to be used to evaluate proposals is that the proposal must be clearly devised to attract vacationers to this area. Mr. Steer did not believe the parking lot at Riverside Park attracts vacationers. He thought it would be more appropriate to advertise to attract people from outside the county who would use the facilities, fill the hotel rooms, and patronize the restaurants and stores and gas stations. Deputy County Attorney Will Collins advised that state law specifies the authorized uses of tourist tax revenues, including construction, improvement and enlargement of auditoriums, and the Riverside Theater parking lot was in that category. He explained that although it could be argued that the parking lot in and of itself does not necessarily promote tourism, the people who come to the theater are exposed to Indian River County and may come back to vacation in the county. Attorney Collins confirmed Commissioner Wheeler's comment that it is tough to decide whether an event will promote tourism, as opposed to spending tourist tax dollars on promotion through the Chamber of Commerce in Europe or somewhere else where they have developed a track record of getting returns on the investment for the advertisements. Mr. Steers commented that many counties turn over the entire bed tax to a tourist council which spends it on advertising. The Chamber of Commerce has taken over that position, as shown in the budget of over $200,000, and the Tourist Development Council funds many other activities. Commissioner Wheeler explained that the Commissioners wanted to separate the two organizations. Discussion ensued regarding the various methods used by other counties, including hiring marketing experts. Commissioner Wheeler explained that Indian River County did not feel the necessity to hire someone when the Chamber of Commerce was already doing the advertising, and the addition of tourist tax funds.,expanded the Chamber's resources for advertising. 6 - M M