8/7/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Brian Heady wanted the public record to reflect that members of the public are being stopped from entering the Chambers by a young lady saying there are no more seats available. He felt the space provided for the overflow audience did not meet the standards of the Government in the Sunshine Laws. He recited portions of the history of the Dodgers in Vero Beach and asked that the Constitution of the State of Florida be taken into consideration prior to any final vote being taken. Frank Coffey, 5015 Fairways Circle, felt the Dodgers have been good for Vero Beach since they first arrived in 1949 and will be good for the community for another twenty -plus years. He emphasized the approximately 275 full-time employees and 475 employees during the season. He believed the departure of the Dodgers would have a devastating effect upon the local economy and asked the Board to continue supporting the project. He stated that the cost of this project will not appear on the public's tax bills but will be paid for from the State funding, the Tourist Tax, and the '/2 -Cent Sales Tax. Chairman Ginn explained that the 1/2 cent sales tax does not come from the One -Cent Optional Sales Tax which is returned to the County from the 6 -cent sales tax that the State enacts. Those funds can be used for anything. Assistant County Administrator Joe Baird further explained that 3 sources of revenue are pledged: (1) a grant from the state for '/2 million per year which will be used first to pay the debt service; (2) the additional one -cent tourist tax estimated to be $360,000 per year; and (3) the 1/2 -cent sales tax to make up any difference. The initial cost estimate was $823,000, while now the estimate is approximately $370,000. As the tourist tax grows, we will need to use less of the sales tax monies. AUGUST 7, 2001 -70- BK119PG0811 •