Three years later, little has changed. The County Commission did its Civic Center study, but still is using bed tax dollars to subsidize the facility operations.
The other issues have been dealt with either:
Administrative Fees: The County takes out five percent for admin. Florida law, according to the TAC, says it can’t be more than three percent.
Fourth-Cent: The County Commission controls the fourth-cent of bed tax. The TAC believes it should under its control. This part of the bed tax was approved by the voters in 2000 to be used for a soccer complex and to build a convention center.
Accountability: All groups receiving bed tax funds should have the same level of accountability.
50% clause: No more than 50 percent of the revenues from the Tourist Development Tax may be pledged to secure and liquidate revenue bonds or revenue refunding bonds.
TDC Membership: Six members of the council shall be persons who are involved in the tourist industry and who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development, of which members, not less than three nor more than four shall be owners or operators of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations in the county and subject to the tax. All members of the council shall be electors of the county. This is not the case, according to TAC.
Read TDC2011White