10/20/1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r OCT 20 1992 Boa 87 �-Arr.87'7 In furtherance of this goal, the Tourist Council recommended that, the contract with the Chamber of Commerce be revised to delete the limitations on meal expenses for domestic and international travel wholesalers within the County for familiarization trips. Currently they are limited to $3.00 for breakfast, $6.00 for lunch, and $12.00 for dinner. The Council felt that promotional expenses by the Tourist Bureau should not be subject to such stringent limitations. The Council further felt that the prohibition on use of revenues for a travel writer's program should be eliminated, and that the prohibition on use of tourist tax revenues for office equipment for the County Tourist Bureau should be modified to provide that those expenses could be incurred if recommended by the County Tourist Council and approved by the Board of County Commissioners on an individual request basis. RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Chairman to execute the attached Resolution approving the Second Amendment to the Agreement Designating the Chamber of Commerce as the Official County Tourist Bureau which Resolution further authorizes the Chairman of the Tourist Development Council to execute the Second Amendment on behalf of the County Commission. Commissioner Bird commented that he had chaired the meeting of the Indian River County Tourist Development Council, and it was obvious that they felt very strongly about the recommendations that were made. As far as entertainment is concerned, studies have shown that foreign tourists are an important segment of our tourist industry, and travel writers in particular can be extremely valuable in writing favorable articles about Indian River County. Commissioner Scurlock expressed concern that there were no limits on how much could be spent on one meal, and asked whether they could spend, for example, a thousand dollars on one meal. Attorney Collins assured the Board that if too much money is being spent, the Tourist Development Council will not get as healthy a budget next year. Commissioner Bird commented that you can't take somebody to the Ocean Grill with $12.00. Chairman Eggert did not think it was necessary to put a per - meal limit on expenditures, and if this is abused the Board could always establish a limit later. Commissioner Bowman emphasized that she just would like to see some results, although she was uncertain how the results could be measured. Attorney Collins stated that the Tourist Study that is scheduled to come out in December should show some results. 32 M M M