Subject:
Title
Approval re: Funding for Palm Bay Sacrifice Park Improvements.
End
Fiscal Impact:
FY2023-2024 $250,000 from the TDC Marketing Fund (1441), to be transferred from available, unencumbered Capital Facilities Fund (1443/293200) revenues presently set aside for this request.
Dept/Office:
District 5 Commissioner
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve grant funding for the City of Palm Bay Sacrifice Park Improvements in the amount of $250,000.
Further, based on the facts specified, it is requested that the Board make the following legislative findings by approving the grant: Tourist Development Tax funds are authorized for this grant pursuant to Section 125,0104(5)(a), Florida Statutes, and Section 102-119(3)c. of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances, because the grant supports a venue which has as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the venue and events held at the venue to tourists from outside Brevard County.
Additionally, request authority for the Tourism Development Office Director to negotiate and sign all necessary agreements and related documents upon approval from the County Attorney’s Office, Risk Management, and Central Services; and authorize the County Manager to execute necessary budget change requests.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
At the meeting on October 10, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners considered FY 2023-2024 TDC Capital Facilities Grant applications for three projects:
1. US Law Enforcement Foundation (American Police Hall of Fame) Igniting the Flame - $5,000,000 ($1,000,000 per year for 5 years upon groundbreaking)
2. City of Palm Bay Sacrifice Park Improvements - $250,000
3. Valiant Air Command Event Center - Additional $349,213
The TDC Capital Facilities Committee voted 9-0 for approval of the American Police Hall of Fame and Valiant Air Command Event Center grant applications. The Committee voted 8-0 for approval with one abstention for the Palm Bay Sacrifice Park Improvements grant application. The Tourist Development Council voted unanimously to recommend the Board approve all three Capital Facilities grant awards in the amounts listed above.
The Board of County Commissioners approved the grant applications for the American Police Hall of Fame and Valiant Air Command Event Center in the requested amounts. The Board requested the City of Palm Bay to return within six months with financial analysis and eligibility information, or to otherwise establish the eligibility to receive funding for the Sacrifice Park Improvements project, with the $250,000 to remain in the Capital Facilities Fund not to be spent.
The City of Palm Bay attempted to satisfy the request for additional economic and fiscal analysis. However, Sacrifice Park does not readily lend itself to the type of analysis required for the Capital Facilities Grant program. Moreover, Sacrifice Park does not neatly fall into a category eligible for funding through a Capital Facilities Grant. Therefore, the City revised its request to seek TDC Marketing Fund revenues, which may be expended on a venue, event, or service which has as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the venue, event, or service to tourists from outside Brevard County. A copy of the City’s revised request including a marketing and tourism plan is attached.
If the Board approves the City’s request, the $250,000 grant amount would be transferred from available, unencumbered Capital Facilities Fund revenues presently set aside for this request to the TDC Marketing Fund. Therefore, while the grant would be funded from the Marketing Fund, it would not impact the approved marketing program or otherwise reduce the revenues presently available in the Marketing Fund.
Attachments:
1. Clerk’s Memorandum re: Board Action on October 10, 2023
2. City of Palm Bay Request Package
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please return a memo of the Board’s action to the Tourism Development Office and County Attorney’s Office.