Subject:
Title
Ordinance amending Section 118-32 of the Pinellas County Code relating to the Tourist Development Plan.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adoption of an ordinance amending Section 118-32 of the Pinellas County Code relating to the Tourist Development Plan (Tourist Plan).
• The proposed ordinance accomplishes the following:
o Removes obsolete language related to prior payment obligations.
o Removes “recreation facilities,” which is not an allowable use under Florida Statutes.
o Increases the funding cap for Elite Events from $2 million to $3 million.
o Adds “public facilities” associated with tourist attractions as an allowable use under Category D.
• The Tourist Development Council approved the revisions on October 16, 2024.
• Amendment of the Tourist Plan requires a supermajority vote by the Board of County Commissioners.
• Amending this ordinance, by itself, has no fiscal impact on Pinellas County. Future decisions that become available because of this amendment may have future fiscal impacts.
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Strategic Plan:
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.6 Support a vibrant community with recreation, arts, and culture to attract residents and visitors
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
The proposed ordinance includes the following revisions:
• Removes obsolete language related to completed payment pledges.
• Removes “recreational facilities” which are not an allowable use of Tourist
Development Tax funds (Bed Tax).
• Increases the cap on Elite Event funding from $2 million to $3 million.
• Adds “public facilities” that are directly related to tourist attractions as an
allowable expenditure under the Capital Project Funding Program.
Amendment of the Tourist Plan requires an affirmative vote of a majority plus one vote.
Body
Background Information:
On October 16, 2024, during a regular meeting, the TDC reviewed the proposed revisions to the Tourist Plan. Following discussion, the TDC approved the revisions by a vote of 11 to 1 and submitted its recommendations to the Board.
The proposed ordinance removes obsolete language related to completed payments for Tropicana Field, the Blue Jays and Phillies stadiums and the original construction of The Dali Museum. In addition, it removes reference to “recreational facilities” which are currently not an allowable use under Florida Statutes 125.0104.
Elite Event funding was previously increased from $750,000 to the current amount of $2 million on October 26, 2010. Since that time, the Elite Event Funding Program has grown from five events to 39 events that were approved for funding in Fiscal Year 2025. If adopted, the proposed ordinance will increase the maximum annual funding for Elite Events to $3 million.
The proposed ordinance also incorporates “public facilities” as an authorized Capital Project Funding Program expenditure under Category D if the project is directly related to a tourist attraction. Public facilities are an allowable expenditure under Florida Statutes 125.0104 and are defined as “…major capital improvements that have a life expectancy of five or more years, including, but not limited to, transportation, sanitary sewer, solid waste, drainage, potable water, and pedestrian facilities.” The proposed ordinance will limit the types of public facilities to those that are directly related to tourist attractions. If authorized, a capital project related to public facilities must be approved by the Board and adhere to the Capital Project Funding Program Guidelines.
Fiscal Impact:
Amending this ordinance, by itself, has no fiscal impact on Pinellas County.
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
Proposed Ordinance (strikethrough version)
Proposed Ordinance (clean version)
Summary Memo dated August 20, 2024
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