Subject:
Title
Approval, Re: 1-year extension to the TDC Capital Facilities Grant agreement with the Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA) the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (MIWR) Community Conservation Education Center (CCEC).
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Fiscal Impact:
Original grant award was $500,000, $6,525.33 has already been reimbursed. Move the grant reimbursement balance of $493,474.67 to FY 20/21 from Tourism Capital Facilities fund 1443. This will leave the ending available cash balance for FY20/21 at $3,763,871
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 extend the timing of funding for the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge Community Conservation Education Center for an additional year to September 18, 2021.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
According to the ordinance regarding Tourist Tax Budget Plan, 14% of budgeted TDT revenues can be used for tourism-related capital facilities projects. The Tourism Community Development Plan was developed by the Tourist Development Council. At the July 5, 2018 meeting, the Capital Facilities Committee approved a reimbursement grant to the MIWR. The grant agreement between the County and MIWA was $500,000. Funding would be via cash reimbursement from available TDC capital facilities fund balance or the most economical funding available to the County and recommended consideration and approval of the Tourism Development Council. The TDC approved this project at their July 25, 2018 meeting. The Board of County Commissioners, in regular session on September 18, 2018, approved the Tourism Community Development Plan Phase II which included the MIWR. In this agreement, the project was due to commence construction by September 18, 2020 or funding would be withdrawn. Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA) has requested a 1-year extension, with construction commencing by September 18, 2021. The TDC Capital Facilities Committee, at their August 25th meeting, and the Tourist Development Council, at their August 26, 2020 meeting voted to grant the extension.
Tourism Development Tax revenues are restricted to authorized uses as defined by Florida Statute 125.0104, directed by Brevard County Code Chapter I 02, Article III, Local Option Tax Plan. In regards to Capital Facilities funding, the statute states authorized uses of these funds are “to acquire, construct, extend, enlarge, remodel, repair, improve, maintain, operate or promote one or more publicly owned and operated convention centers, sports stadiums, sports arenas, coliseums, or auditoriums within the county; and further include museums, zoological parks, aquariums, fishing piers or nature centers which are publicly owned and operated or owned and operated by not-for-profit organizations and open to the public within the county”.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please return a memo of the Board’s action to Tourism and CAO.