Brevard County Commission Tackles Tourist Tax Allocation and Event Funding Challenges

The Brevard County Commission meeting focused on the allocation of funds from the tourist development tax and how these funds are impacting local events and tourism-related activities. The commission discussed the distribution of approximately $100,000 in unallocated funds to support various cultural and tourism events, addressing concerns over funding criteria and eligibility. There was a emphasis on revisiting grant structures to better support smaller events that contribute to Brevard County’s economy and cultural vibrancy.

A critical point of discussion was the Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) marketing support program, which merged cultural and sports events funding into a single streamlined process. The program, with a budget of $600,000 from the cultural fund and $240,000 from advertising and promotions, aimed to allocate up to $50,000 per event. The TDC recommended funding for 44 events totaling $840,000. The new program was lauded for eliminating subcommittees and expediting the review process, as noted by a commissioner. The methodology for counting out-of-county attendees using cellular data was explained, although it was acknowledged that this tool was not without flaws.

The commission also heard from various local organizations and event organizers who presented their funding requests and highlighted the economic impact of their events. Barry Shepard from the Police Hall of Fame emphasized the need for marketing funds to attract out-of-state visitors for an upcoming event involving five local hotels. Mitch Varn, a resident of Satellite Beach, advocated for a return to the previous grant model, arguing that it was more effective for sporting events. The Bard Renaissance Fair and Bard Symphony Orchestra representatives celebrated their events’ growth and the support received from the TDC.

The discussion revealed a shared concern among presenters about the effectiveness of current marketing strategies and funding allocations. Many expressed the need for a clearer and more inclusive funding model that considers smaller events and organizations. The Cocoa Beach Air Show, the Titusville Playhouse’s economic impact, and the various festivals and cultural events were highlighted as key contributors to the county’s tourism and economy.

The commission also grappled with the issue of retroactive funding for events that had already occurred but did not receive the anticipated funds. A commissioner suggested using the unallocated $100,000 to support groups that missed out on funding, advocating for a more inclusive distribution model for the following year. Another commissioner proposed allowing each commissioner to allocate up to $20,000 to support specific cultural groups directly, facilitating a more strategic use of the funds.

Throughout the discussions, there was a recognition that some events prefer direct funding over marketing support, highlighting the need for flexibility in funding allocations. The commission acknowledged the importance of sustainable funding practices, considering fluctuating tourism revenues. The meeting concluded with a consensus to continue addressing these funding issues, with an emphasis on preparing a comprehensive agenda for future discussions, including the possibility of separating sports and cultural funding.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
County Manager:
Frank Abbate
County Council Officials:
Katie Delaney, Tom Goodson (Vice Chair), Kim Adkinson, Rob Feltner (Chair), Thad Altman

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
Congressional Committee
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
State Legislative Committee
State School Board
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
CA
Alameda County
Los Angeles County
San Bernardino County
San Francisco County
CO
Adams County
Arapahoe County
Boulder County
Douglas County
El Paso County
Elbert County
Garfield County
Jefferson County
Mesa County
Montrose County
Pueblo County
Teller County
Weld County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
IL
Cook County
Kane
Kane County
Mchenry
IN
Marion County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MD
Montgomery County
MI
Berrien County
Genesee County
Grand Traverse County
Ingham County
Kent County
Oakland County
Washtenaw County
Wayne County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Rutherford County
Shelby County
Williamson County
TX
Dallas County
Harris County
Tarrant County
VA
Fairfax County
Loudoun County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording