Subject:
Title
Approval, re: TDC Capital Facilities Grant Agreement Extension to with the Merritt Island Wildlife Association (MIWA) to December 31, 2023.
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Fiscal Impact:
Original grant award was $500,000, of which $55,500.33 has already been reimbursed. This grant reimbursement balance is currently held and available to the MIWA grantee in Tourism's Capital Facility fund 1443.
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 grant reimbursement agreement for the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge capital facilities project grant for two years and three and a half months. The new grant reimbursement deadline will be December 31, 2023.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
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". According to the ordinance regarding Tourist Tax Budget Plan, 14% of budgeted TDT revenues can be used for tourism-related capital facilities projects.
This TDC capital facilities grant was primarily to build indoor nature exhibits in the new Community Conservation Education Center (CCEC). The TDC grant also funded some outdoor animal shaped play-structures for children. The CCEC is being funded and built by th...
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