A major topic of discussion centered around the legality of using TDC funds for lifeguard salaries. One participant pointed out that Walton County is the only county using TDT funds for life safety personnel, due to a specific statute influenced by Matt Gaetz and his father. This prompted a call for an Attorney General’s opinion to clarify whether such use of funds is permissible. Historical opinions from the Attorney General have typically deemed it inappropriate. A motion to seek the Attorney General’s opinion was made and seconded.

The financial implications of this decision were debated, including whether the county was taxing at the maximum allowable rate and the structure of lifeguard funding. Concerns were voiced about whether cities should contribute to lifeguard funding, noting that if the county funded lifeguards in unincorporated areas, cities should be responsible for their own. There was discontent with the handling of lifeguard funding, citing a lack of communication and agreement among commissioners.

Participants underscored the need for lifeguards to ensure beach safety, mentioning the risks of drownings and shark attacks without adequate coverage. The potential negative impact on tourism if the area were perceived as dangerous was a concern. One member emphasized, “lifeguards have to be on the beaches; it’s of critical importance.”

Despite the necessity of lifeguards, some members argued against using TDC funds for this purpose, suggesting that it could set a precedent for funding other life safety services, such as the fire department. Questions arose about the appropriate use of TDT funds, with some arguing that such funds should support tourism-related activities rather than life safety services.

Still, some members expressed reservations, worrying about the erosion of the original intent of TDC funds. One member lamented the “raid on the TDC funds,” which has shifted their use away from supporting the hospitality industry. They stressed that funding lifeguards through TDC could negatively impact other critical areas, saying, “if we give it to the lifeguards, it’s less money in the funds.”

The procedural dynamics within the TDC were also a point of contention, with concerns raised about the lack of committee involvement in recent decisions. A motion to seek an Attorney General’s opinion on the legality of using TDC funds for lifeguards was put to a vote, receiving a majority in favor, though one member opposed it.

The meeting also covered other topics. The director, Peter, reported that July’s TDT figures showed a 3.7% decrease from the previous year, which had been an all-time high. Despite this, projections for the year remained positive, with expected totals around $25.2 to $25.3 million. He noted that the marketing budgets were on track as the fiscal year approached its end on October 1, with a final budget report anticipated in November.

Peter highlighted a newly approved marketing support program aimed at events based on their out-of-county attendance and room-night acquisition. The program, funded with $840,000 from the sports marketing and cultural funds, will start accepting applications next week, with analyses presented to the TDC in November.

Another discussion revolved around lifeguard funding. Peter detailed reallocating $1.56 million for a lifeguard program from various funds, including the capital fund, cultural funds, and the marketing budget. He reported contentious negotiations with cities over their contributions, with proposals for substantial amounts meeting resistance. The necessity of lifeguard services was emphasized, noting the dangers of insufficient coverage and the potential negative impact on tourism.

The meeting also touched on the marketing committee’s update, where it was reported that the budget would be adjusted to remove $556,000, approximately 4% of the overall budget. Marketing efforts for the fall and winter campaigns were planned to commence after the November elections to avoid political noise. Collaboration with Cocoa Beach hotel representatives on budgeting matters was also mentioned.

The meeting briefly covered the cultural and sports committees, which were deemed unnecessary due to changes in the grant process. Recommendations for marketing support programs are expected in November.