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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final December 3, 2024 <br />There was no further discussion on this Item. <br />A motion was made by Vice Chairman Loar, seconded by Chairman Flescher, <br />to approve staffs recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: <br />Aye: 5 - Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman Loar, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner <br />Earman, and Commissioner Moss <br />The Chairman called for a recess at 11:41 a.m. and reconvened at 11:47 a.m. with all <br />members present. <br />11.A.3. 24-0982 Public Hearing to Consider Ordinance Imposing An Additional Cent of Tourist <br />Development Tax <br />Recommended Action: Enter Recommended Action Here] <br />Attachments: Staff Report <br />Tourist Development Tax Ordinance 2024 Amended to Reflect 5 Cents <br />IRC Business Impact Estimate TDC 11.21.24 <br />County Attorney Jennifer Shuler emphasized that the decision to authorize the Board <br />of County Commissioners to levy an additional one cent of the Tourist Development <br />Tax (TDT) was a result of the majority vote by Indian River County citizens on <br />November 5, 2024. This additional cent, as part of the amended Ordinance, was a <br />significant step towards beach renourishment. The amendment to Section 210.01 <br />introduced new language to the Code, allowing for this additional one percent of the <br />tourist tax as permitted by Florida Statutes. By leveraging this additional revenue, <br />Indian River County could redistribute some of the existing tax cents to support its <br />intended purpose of funding beach renourishment. With the new language and the <br />additional funds, the 5 cents would be distributed as follows: 2.75 cents for beach <br />renourishment, 2 cents for tourism promotion, and the sports stadium allocation would <br />remain flat at 0.25 cents. This Ordinance would become effective on January 1, <br />2025. <br />The Chairman opened the Public Hearing. <br />Kyle Von Kohorn, Jennifer Bailey, and Robenson Juste from the Realtors Association <br />of Indian River County expressed concerns about a proposed one -cent tax increase. <br />They suggested that any changes to the tourist tax take effect in the new fiscal year of <br />2025, and if implemented sooner, the new rate should only apply to contracts signed <br />after the approval. Existing seasonal rental contracts were usually finalized 9 to 12 <br />months in advance and were legally binding. Changes to the tax after execution <br />created financial burdens and complicated renegotiations. <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 16 <br />