6/24/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council funds, but would support an additional one cent tax. She would like to see us take advantage of this opportunity now and investigate setting up an erosion control taxing district later on. Mayor Smith reiterated that the City is looking for conceptual agreement from the County Commission to dedicate t o the beach project up to 50 percent of the money that normally would have been allocated to District #1. Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the feasibility of reallocating the Tourist Development Council funds, and Mr. Little recommended that $80,000-$100,000 be reallocated immediately to fund the engineering that is needed. Attorney Vitunac confirmed that the State law says you cannot take more -than 50 percent of the total take of the District #1 tax for a beach project. Mr. Little could not imagine a greater priority than saving the beach, especially after 20 years of talk. Joe Baird, county OMB Director, didn't anticipate a bond issue for at least two years because the project has to be done through a systematic process. He expected to see it in the 1994-95 fiscal year funds; however, we would need money in the 1993-94 fiscal year for engineering studies. Mr. Nason suggested making a bond issue declaration of intent where we could recoup the expenses of the bond issue. He felt we could be ready by next summer, providing that the permitting is obtained. That would mean we must have the source of money in place, which means the bond issue would be no later than the fall of next year. He understood the consultant wants $50,000 up front to get him started and that is what he is asking from Indian River County. Mr. Little felt that Commissioner Adams' beach committee should get together with the reef people to see what is needed and when. Commissioner Macht asked why we need Michael Walther's study now, and it was explained that the Corps needs to know the distances from the water line to the reef. J. B. Norton of the Vero Beach/Indian River County Chamber of Commerce stated that they are not ready to give up any of the money that was allocated, but if the County wants to revisit this matter to set up an additional one cent to get something going, they would be willing to sit down this afternoon to discuss it. They, too, are anxious to see the reef project built as soon as possible. Deputy County Attorney Will Collins advised that if we adopt an ordinance for an additional one cent tourist tax in July, it will become effective September 1, 1993. If we adopt it in August, 5 JUN 24 RM BOOK 89 PAGE 949 'A