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TO: The Board of County Commissioners <br />FROM: EC& William G. Collins II — Deputy County Attorney <br />DATE: June 23, 2000 <br />SUBJECT: Public Hearing on an Ordinance Providing for Local Collection, <br />Administration, Audit and Enforcement of the Tourist Development <br />Tax by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Indian River County <br />For a number of years members of the Tourist Development Council have <br />suspected that collections could be enhanced through enforcement by a local <br />entity with more familiarity with the short-term rental industry in the community <br />than has the Department of Revenue. <br />Since the Board's inquiry of Clerk as to his interest in administering the local <br />collection of the tourist tax, Mr. Barton has been in contact with other clerks who <br />undertake similar programs. Mr. Barton has tentatively suggested <br />commencement date of October 1, 2000 for collection of the tax locally. This <br />would allow some time for the printing of forms, training of personnel, testing of <br />software, etc. <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Open the public hearing, obtain input from Mr. Barton and interested members of <br />the public, and take appropriate action on the attached ordinance. <br />Deputy County Attorney Will Collins noted that both the Tourist Development <br />Council and the Board had agreed that this tax could be enhanced by local collection and <br />Clerk Jeffrey Barton had agreed to handle that collection. The proposed ordinance has been <br />modeled after the Seminole County ordinance and provides for the Clerk of Court to begin <br />collection procedures on October 1, 2000, to give the Clerk time for preparation of forms and <br />training of staff. The Board or the Clerk can return responsibility for collection of this tax <br />to the Department of Revenue upon giving 6 months' notice. <br />JULY 119 2000 <br />-48- <br />1K 1 14 PG 0 6 4 <br />