Subject:
Title
Board Direction - 2020 Junior Olympic Games
End
Fiscal Impact:
$150,000 in Tourist Development Tax funds ($50,000 to be reimbursed by Florida Sports Foundation) and up to $50,000 in waived fees from Parks and Recreation Department.
Dept/Office:
District 2
Requested Action:
Recommendation
Recommendation
That the Board provide staff with direction and approval of funds regarding the 2020 Junior Olympic Games and waive park facilities rental fees.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The AAU’s (Amateur Athletic Union) Vice President, Rusty Buchanan, approached Commissioner Lober, Tourism Director, Peter Cranis, TDC Chair, Giles Malone, and Vice Chair of Brevard County Schools, Matt Susin regarding hosting an event titled the 2020 Junior Olympics. This event has been held in various cities around the United States for many years and is known to be one of the top junior amateur athletic competitions in the country. This year the event was supposed to be held in Virginia, however the state decided it did not want the event this year due to COVID-19. Mr. Buchanan, being a Brevard County resident and having formerly helped organize the event, felt that Brevard County could provide facilities and fund the event to occur in late July/early August. If the event could attract 5,000 athletes (normally they have about 15,000) and the accompanying parents and spectators, there is a possibility of generating a significant number of hotel room nights and in turn, positive economic impact to the community during a time when many tourism-related businesses are hurting due to COVID-19. Tentatively, the School Board representatives were supportive and believed they could provide facilities at no cost for the event. It was also asked if Brevard County would be willing to provide facilities at no cost. Also, some costs were identified including a capital facilities expense to help finish a new track at Viera High School for $50-60,000. Additionally, there could be up to $100,000 in other expenses including paying referees and other officials. Half of this $100,000 expense would be offset by a Florida Sports Foundation grant. The two amounts would come from Tourist Development Tax funds and Mr. Malone was going to bring the proposal to the Tourist Development Council for approval (Thursday afternoon prior to the Zoning meeting). Mr. Buchanan will be providing a list of sports and the facilities needed to hold those in the coming days. The timeline is short so he is seeking support of the Board of County Commissioners to provide the facilities at no cost and to spend Tourism Tax dollars for the necessary expenses.
Request the Board approve tourist development funding of $50k in sports grant funding for athletic fees for paying referees and other officials, and $50k in capital facilities grant funding for capital improvements to the Viera high school track to facilitate this tourist event, the 2020 Junior Olympics, in late July or August 2020.
Request the Board approve provision of Brevard County facilities to host this event at no cost to AAU. Request the BOCC make the legislative findings, based on the facts below, that Tourist Development Tax funds are authorized for hosting the 2020 Junior Olympics pursuant to section 125.0104(5)(a)3, Florida Statutes and section 102-119(3)(a) of the Brevard County Code as to the $50k in athletic fees because this event supports activities or events which have as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the activity, service, venue, or event to Tourists. Request the BOCC make the legislative findings, based on the facts above, that Tourist Development Tax funds are authorized as to the $50k for the improvements to the Viera high school track pursuant to section 125.0104(5)(a)(1)a. Florida Statutes and section 102-119(3)c of the Brevard County Code because they are being made to a publicly owned and operated sports arena within the County that will be used for this tourist event. Additionally, request the Board of County Commissioners grant the Executive Director, Tourism authority to negotiate and sign all necessary grant agreements and related documents to support the grants and that the capital facilities grant can be paid up front, rather than as a reimbursement so the track can be completed in time for the event.
Clerk to the Board Instructions: