6/8/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

J. B. Norton, Vero Beach Chamber of Commercie, pointed out the following: (1) The. Chamber of Commerce wants to provide for the continuation of about 5,000 tourist -related jobs, which generate about $119 million in personal income. That figure represents almost 12% of the total personal income in the county. (2) Tourism is the number 1 industry in this county besides the citrus industry. According to a recent report prepared by the Florida Department of Tourism, approximately 18% of all gross retail sales in this county in 1990 were tourist -related. (3) The Chamber of Commerce brochure promotes the entire county. Mr. Norton indicated that if the $273,000 funding request is approved, the Chamber of Commerce will spend $20,000 of the total to promote North . County activities. He urged everybody to cooperate in an effort to attract tourists. He encouraged the Board to pursue the possibility of increasing the tourist tax to 3%, which is lower than many neighboring counties. Chairman Bird asked Mr. Norton to discuss it with Chamber of Commerce members and report their reactions to the Board. George Bunnell, elected member of the Tourist Development Council, urged the Board to allocate funds to some of the other requests before closing today's meeting. Commissioner Adams suggested that we spend some of the extra money that is available. MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Tippin, seconded by Commissioner Eggert, to accept the recommendations of the Tourist. Development Council, with the amendment to the Chamber of Commerce request stating that $20,000 of their allocation will be spent to promote North County activities; allocate $7,591 of the $68,000 in unallocated funds to Riverside Theatre and the remainder to the City of Vero Beach; proceed towards possibly increasing the tourist tax to 3%; and allocate any additional monies that may become available to the other organizations requesting money. 33 JUN -81993 VOK N� ['F. 7SB