Subject:
Title
Approval, Re: Reduction to the previously awarded amounts of the 2019-20 Cultural Support Grant Program.
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Fiscal Impact:
FY2019-2020: Reduction from $500,000 to $410,000 from the Cultural fund #1446/293020.
Dept/Office:
Tourism Development Office
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Tourist Development Council's recommendation to reduce funding for the FY 2019-2020 Cultural Grant awards by 18% as listed in Attachment "A".
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The Cultural Committee at the January 17, 2020 and the Tourist Development Council (TDC) at the January 29, 2020 meeting approved $500,000 in funding for the 2019-20 Cultural Support Grant program. This was also approved by the Board of County Commissioners at the March 10, 2020 meeting. Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections revenue saw a decrease beginning in March 2020 and significant decreases in the following months due to the effects of Covid-19. The TDC, at the March 25, 2020 meeting, voted to freeze all spending, including all grant programs due to the impacts of Covid-19 on tourism tax collection levels. The TDC voted to release this hold at the May 28, 2020 meeting. Loss of tourism tax revenue caused a revised (and reduced) Tourist Development Office budget. This reduction to many funds resulted in a Cultural Support Grant Program adjustment from $500,000 to $410,000. An 18% reduction to all Cultural Support Grant program recipients was proposed. BCA was aware of the 18% reduction and involved in the discussion at the June 2, 2020 Cultural Committee meeting when the reduction was approved. The Cultural Committee at their June 2, 2020 meeting and the Tourist Development Council at their July 22, 2020, meeting, unanimously recommended the Board approve the 18% reduction to the 2019-20 Cultural Grant Support Program due to the shortfall of Tourism Development Tax revenue being reduced due to Covid-19.
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