Subject:
Title
Approve the FY 2024-25 Tourist Development Council (TDC) Capital Facilities Grant Program Application, Funding, Guidelines, and Committee Score Sheet.
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Fiscal Impact:
FY 2024-25: Program funding of up to $1.7 million from the TDC Capital Facilities Fund 1443-293200.
Dept/Office:
Tourism Development Office
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested the Board of County Commissioners approve the Tourist Development Council FY 2024-25 TDC Capital Facilities Grant Program Funding, Application, Guidelines and Committee Score Sheet.
It is also requested that the Board approve funding of the FY 2024-25 Capital Facilities Grant Program applications which shall come before the Board for final funding approval as the grant application cycle commences.
Further, request that the Board make the legislative finding that Tourist Development Tax funds are authorized for each grant pursuant to Section 125.0104(5)(a), Florida Statutes, and Section 102-119(3)c of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances, because each grant supports a venue which has as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the venue to tourists from outside Brevard County.
Additionally, it requested that the Tourism Development Office Department Director be authorized to negotiate and sign all necessary grant agreements and related documents upon County Attorney Office, Risk Management, Purchasing Services approval and authorize the County Manager to execute all necessary Budget Change requests.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
These funds are put in place each fiscal year for future capital facilities projects approved by the TDC Capital Facilities Committee, the Tourist Development Council, and the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners. These capital projects are verified by the County Attorney's Office to be viable projects to receive support with Tourist Development Tax dollars per State Statute and local ordinance. Reimbursable grant awards with a minimum amount of $250,000 are available to support capital projects that benefit tourism on the Florida’s Space Coast. These capital projects are approved and supported through the Tourism Capital Facilities Plan and will serve as safe world-class attractions and facilities that are open to both tourists, visitors, and the community.
The TDC Capital Facilities Committee at their April 4, 2024, meeting (8-0), and the Tourist Development Council at their April 24, 2024 meeting (8-0), voted unanimously to recommend the Board approve the FY 2024-2025 TDC Capital Facilities Grant Application, Funding, Guidelines and Committee Score Sheet as well as make the necessary legislative findings.
Changes to the Capital Facilities Application and Guidelines, as recommended are highlighted. The Capital Facilities Application, Guidelines and Committee Score Sheet were all approved, as presented by staff, by the TDC Capital Committee and TDC.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please return a memo of the Board’s action to the Tourism Development Office and CAO.