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• In addition, an informational campaign to educate the community, including the business community, of the critical importance of the continuation of the 1 cent option sales tax is essential. It has been estimated by the Office of Budget and Management that as much as one third of the revenue from the 1 cent option sales tax comes from outside Indian River County. Those just passing through or shopping in our county help to defray the costs of maintaining our infrastructure. The attached Press Joumal article (January 31, 1999 - Business Section) (Attachment B) supports that opinion. Although the 1 cent option sales tax is due to sunset approximately five years from now, the determination of its continuation by the electors of the County or the Legislature, could play an important role in reducing the burden of the Beach Preservation Plan currently under study. In the Executive Summary of the Plan, under the heading, "Identification of Potential Funding Sources," Local Government Infrastructure Surtax is listed as one of five potential funding sources. In as much as the surtax is due to expire in the year 2004 - five years hence, and phase one of the BPP is due to extend eight years, it would be imperative to know if this funding source will be on-going during the entire first phase of the project and available for subsequent phases of the Plan. As you know, I have suggested using a portion of the 1 cent option sales tax to help fund beach renourishment. It would likely take less than 20 percent of the surtax annually. Together with a portion of the tourist tax, this could be an on-going funding source for beach renourishment without raising anyone's taxes from their present levels or creating special assessments. . I believe it to be a very fair and equitable method of paying for our infrastructure including beach renourishment. The economic benefits of our beaches are enormous and the entire county will benefit by keeping our beaches healthy. A small percentage of the 1 cent option sales tax dedicated to beach renourishment will ensure healthy beaches and economic stability far into the future. I believe we should instruct our County Administrator, the Director of Budget and Management and staff to pursue all avenues to extend the optional sales tax. The plan should include pursuing legislative changes and a plan to educate and communicate to the public the importance of continuing the 1 cent option sales tax and to schedule a referendum sometime in the near future. FEBRUARY 9, 1999 WA C BOOK 108 PAGE 20