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hearings. In practice that has been done annually. He did not recall any discussion in 1989 about extension beyond the 15 years. County Attorney Vitunac stated that in 1989 15 years was the maximum allowed by law. However, in 1993, the law changed and the 15 -year maximum was removed. Commissioner Ginn remarked that it had been mentioned as one of the funding sources for the beach protection plan. She was concerned that if the Board did nothing, the tax would sunset; she thought the Board needed to get on it right away. She asserted that the Board would be looking at capital projects in the next few years which would go beyond the 4V2 years. She called the tax an excellent planning tool and funding source. Chairman Macht told of an appointment he had with Representative Charles Sembler to support us by supporting continuation of our ability to collect this tax in the Legislature. He asked if Vice Chairman Adams would take the leadership on this matter in Tallahassee. Vice Chairman Adams responded by saying that she felt that the Board needed some public input on this in order to know what the public wants to do about the additional penny sales tax. In terms of the beach restoration, the 10 optional sales tax is one of the funding sources being considered in the plan. She will be happy to take the lead, but she felt there was a need to get input from the public before they go to the legislators. If they want to do a local bill, they are just about running out of time. County Attorney Vitunac interjected that he thought it would have to be a general bill, not a local bill. Vice Chairman Adams favored a referendum, as did Commissioner Ginn who also urged communication with the public as to the projects already done. Commissioner Tippin thought it was timely and pointed out that there would be no commitment by getting things started. Chairman Macht stressed that the burden of cost, for example on the beach preservation, should be borne by the visitors as well as residents, rather than falling entirely on the taxpayers. If people did not already understand that, it was the Board's responsibility to make them understand it. The MOTION WAS RESTATED: To pursue all avenues to extend the 1¢ optional sales tax including educational communications for the benefit of the electorate prior to a referendum concerning same. FEBRUARY 9, 1999 r.• BOOK 108 PAGE322