A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the intricacies surrounding the collection of the tourism development tax, specifically the transition of this responsibility from the tax collector’s office to the clerk’s office. Marty Miller from the clerk’s office detailed efforts to establish a new team and acquire software designed for tourism tax compliance. He acknowledged the challenges inherent in this transition, especially for smaller property owners who may not be closely monitoring their business operations. Miller noted that compliance with reporting gross incomes would be a stretch for some property owners, particularly those using platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO, which have not yet remitted expected tax figures.

In discussing compliance, Miller emphasized the difficulty in managing short-term rentals operating illegally in unincorporated areas. He raised concerns about the ability of local government to initiate code enforcement complaints without a resident’s report, highlighting the limitations in addressing these violations effectively. The integration of technology into county code enforcement was explored, with discussions on incorporating GIS mapping to identify unincorporated areas with short-term rental listings. This system would allow enforcement officials to view properties’ geolocations and advertising histories, potentially aiding in identifying unregistered rentals.

Concerns were raised about the competitive landscape between traditional hotels and short-term rentals, with the latter often not adhering to the same safety regulations. The board agreed on the need for a fair competitive environment, as hotels incur significant costs to maintain safety and compliance standards.

The meeting also addressed environmental concerns, particularly the management of trash receptacles along local causeways. Representatives from Keep Brevard Beautiful (KBB) discussed their efforts in cleaning the Pineita Causeway and their involvement in a barrel program for trash collection. They emphasized the need for public education on environmental stewardship and noted that the presence of numerous trash containers might inadvertently lead to more littering. The KBB representative highlighted the environmental issues caused by trash barrels, including attracting wildlife and posing biohazard risks to staff handling the waste.

The council discussed collaboration with the Waterway Warriors, who focus on preventing trash from entering waterways. Sharon Null, representing the organization, detailed their efforts and challenges, such as debris from pallet fires and the need for continued community involvement. The Waterway Warriors’ barrel program for trash collection was noted for its effectiveness in capturing litter before it reaches waterways. However, skepticism remained about the adequacy of the number of barrels in use.

In practical matters, funding needs for ongoing cleanup efforts were discussed, with the council approving a $7,500 funding request for the Waterway Warriors, contingent upon legal approval. This funding would support their barrel program and related activities, emphasizing the urgency of maintaining clean waterways.

Towards the end of the meeting, projections for tourism revenue were discussed, with expectations for September revenue to reach approximately $1.5 million, contributing to an annual total of around $25.8 million. Changes to the operating procedures manual were approved, including a reduction in the required number of meetings annually. The discontinuation of sports and cultural committees was also confirmed due to their redundancy following the transition to a new marketing support program.

The meeting concluded with updates on shoreline resilience projects, particularly wave attenuation structures helping combat erosion. These projects, funded in part by the Indian River Lagoon grant, were recognized as successful models for shoreline restoration and wildlife attraction.