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FEB 23 1994 <br />BOOK 91 gar 82.2 <br />1-7 <br />Commissioner Eggert stated that she has been questioned about <br />whether the one -cent Sales Tax can be terminated. She understood <br />that the City of Vero Beach has bonded out their Sales Tax revenue <br />for 15 years and it would be difficult to change the program now. <br />County Attorney Charles Vitunac agreed that one reason for not <br />being able to cease the one -cent Sales Tax would be if it is bonded <br />out. <br />Director Baird reported that the City of Vero Beach has <br />pledged .their Sales Tax revenues for the 15 -year term. <br />Chairman Tippin agreed that some people would like to <br />terminate the one -cent Sales Tax earlier than the 15 -year time <br />frame. <br />Commissioner Adams reported that she has had calls indicating <br />an interest in a convention center. The contention is that we are <br />missing out on trade moving to our county because we do not have <br />facilities to handle 400 -person seminars and conventions. <br />Commissioner Macht noted that "convention center" is mentioned <br />specifically in the tourist tax legislation. <br />GENERAL SERVICES <br />Commissioner Macht led discussion regarding the County <br />Administration Building. He admitted that in the past he did not <br />favor construction of a new County Administration Building but <br />recently has realized that the interests of the citizens would be <br />better served if we build a bigger facility to include all County <br />services and sell our building to the School Board, which will <br />allow them to expand and centralize their activities. We need an <br />emergency operating center during crises, and there was a <br />recommendation for a separate facility for Emergency Services, but <br />it is better to have all departments in one facility. Commissioner <br />Macht did not want to spend funds to renovate the Courthouse Annex <br />for the Utility Services Department if there is a possibility of <br />constructing a new administration building. <br />County Administrator Chandler recounted that staff presented <br />a plan to construct a new administration building on property <br />located north of the present building. The cost of anew facility <br />would be in the neighborhood of $16 to $17 million, and after <br />disposition of the County Administration Building, the old <br />Courthouse and Annex, the State Attorney offices and the old <br />library, the net cost could be as low as $8 million. Alternatives <br />were also presented, but the conclusion was that we must do <br />something within the next few years. <br />8 <br />