Item F6
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: JANUARY 17,2001
Division:
TDC
Bulk Item: Yes X
No
Department:
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approval of transfer of funds from capital to district advertising.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
TOG approved same at their meeting of January 8, 2001
PREVIOUS REVELANT BOCC ACTION:
SaGG approved FY 2002 budget at their meeting of September 19, 2001.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approval of both TOG actions as per attached.
TOTAL COST: $500,000
BUDGETED: Yes X No
COST TO COUNTY: $500,000rrOURIST PAY
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes x No
AMOUNT PER MONTH
Year
--
APPROVED BY: County Atty _ OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management_
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
(Lynda Stuart)
DOCUMENTATION:
Included X
To Follow
Not Required
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM # --;) - Hr)
Revised 2/27/01
THE FLORIDA KEYS & KEY WEST
Come as you are '"
P.O. Box 866, Key West Florida 33041 U.S.A. (305) 296-1552 fax: (305) 296-0788
htJp://www.fla-keys.comSaIes@FIa-Keys.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
January 8, 2002
TO:
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
FROM:
Michael Ingram, Chairman
RE:
1.
2.
Transfer funds from Capital to District Advertising
Adjust FY 2003 capital projects funding from 30% to 25%
The TDC in concert with the BOCC has utilized 30% of our annual bed tax revenue as a
budgetary guideline for capital projects. The continued utilization of this sum was contingent
upon he continuing stability and growth of the tourism industry. Agreement was made that
should the monitoring of income, occupancy or the market in general (the indicators) show a
need for adjustment favoring increased promotional expenditures such information would be
brought to the BOCC.
1. Definitive downtum in national and local economy. There have been three (3)
consecutive months of decreased bed tax and sales tax revenues in Monroe County
as reported (September, October and November).
2. We need to bring forward an enhanced promotional effort to coordinate with the trend
for increased consumer confidence levels. Constant awareness is required to allow
travel decisions to be made in favor of the Florida Keys especially during the spring
and summer months.
3. Every effort should be utilized to protect the income stream which flows from tourism
to the county and cities which in tum underpins the basic economic health of the
Keys and lessens the burden bome by individual citizens (taxpayers).
4. In that the County is requesting a budget be developed 18 months prior to
implementation and insofar as that all past historical models and trends as relates to
tourism may be null and void - it appears prudent to be proactive in all market
sectors and travel periods with an enhanced awareness effort.
The TDC at their regular meeting of January 8, 2002 approved the following adjustments to
FY 2002 budget and the FY 2003 budget process be forwarded to the BOCC.
1. Request approval of the BOCC for a budget transfer of $500,000 of funds from
Capital accounts to District Advertising accounts. (Budget resolution attached)
2. Request approval of the BOCC to adjust FY 2003 capital projects funding from thirty
(30%) percent to twenty-five (25%) percent of annual bed tax revenue.
RESOLUTION NO. -2002
RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, to make budgeted transfers set up in the Monroe County Budget for fiscal year 2001-2002
and to create new items under said budget, now, therefore.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, that the budgeted amounts previously set up in the Monroe County Budget for the fiscal
year 2001-2002 in the amounts hereinafter set forth be transferred to and from the following
account.
Transfer from Dist 1,3 CENT
Item #117 77040 530460 T27M240X 530460
Function #5500
Capital Projects Resources
The sum of $270,000.00
Into Dist 1,3 CENT
Item #117 77020 530480 T27P239X 530300
Function #5500
District Advertising Campaign Resources
Transfer from Dist 11,3 CENT
Item #118 78040 530460 T28M240X 530460
Function #5500
Capital Projects Resources
The sum of $25,000.00
Into Dist II, 3 CENT
Item #118 78020 530480 T28P239X 530300
Function #5500
District Advertising Campaign Resources
Transfer from Dist 111,3 CENT
Item #119 79040 530460 T29M240X 530460
Function #5500
Capital Project Resources
The sum of $60,000.00
Into Dist III, 3 CENT
Item #119 79020 530480 T29P239X 530300
Function #5500
District Advertising Campaign Resources
Transfer from District IV, 3 CENT
Item #120 70040 530460 T20M240X 530460
Function #5500
Capital Projects Resources
The sum of $65,000.00
Into District IV, 3 CENT
Item #120 70020 530480 T20P239X 530300
Function #5500
District Advertising Campaign Resources
1
Transfer from District V, 3 CENT
Item #121 71040530460 T21M240X 530460
Function #5500
Capital Projects Resources
The sum of $80,000.00
Into District V, 3 CENT
Item #121 71020530480 T21P239X 530300
Function #5500
District Advertising Campaign Resources
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY SAID BOARD that the Clerk of Board be and he is hereby
authorized to take the necessary action to effect the transfers of funds heretofore set forth.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the _day of , A.D. 2002.
Mayor Neugent
Mayor Pro Tem Williams
Commissioner McCoy
Commissioner Nelson
Commissioner Spehar
BY:
MayorlChairman
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
CLERK
APPROV~~Y: /"'. /./
._.,-/- rYI--~~
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
2
LAST
STAND
January 17,2002
County Commission
Monroe County
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
Rei IDC Request to Transfer Funding from Capital Projects to Advertising
Dear County Commissioners:
First of all, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to address you this morning. Secondly, I
think that it's important to acknowledge that we are all painfully aware that these are difficult
times. Even before the tragic events of September 11, we were faced with a serious economic
downturn. And there is no question that the tourism industry, the economic basis of Monroe
County, has taken a heavy hit. But this is not the time to panic and adopt short-term solutions of
questionable efficacy, which are clearly inconsistent with the interests and intent of the residents
of the county.
As you all know, the idea of the capital projects fund is to improve the product - for residents of
the County as well as for tourists. A huge majority of Keys residents agree with Last Stand that
the many problems that accompany a successful tourism economy must be addressed - these
include traffic, noise, overcrowding, inadequate sewers, etc. And every dollar that can help
improve the quality of life for locals, who bear the brunt of tourism in addition to sharing in its
fruits, is important to residents and to tourists. Last Stand is adamantly opposed to any
permanent transfer ofIDC funds from capital projects to additional advertising.
We have to remember these are tax dollars, voted into existence by the local residents. And it is
the locals who pressured IDC to increase the portion held aside for local improvements. It is
clear that the residents of Monroe County believe that such capital projects are necessary and
should be funded. One of the advantages of such a fund is that moneys can accumulate and earn
interest and be available as projects surface. For example, the money was there for Speigel
Grove. Another example: The Marine Sanctuary Foundation is seeking to raise up to a million
dollars to augment the $8 million of federal money already pledged for an educational center at
Truman Waterfront. This center will be an important contribution to both the community and to
tourists and is one of many important potential uses of capital funds with long-term benefits far
outweighing any possible short-term benefits from increased advertising. Another potential use
of capital funds would be for the purchase of the remaining privately-owned properties adjoining
the Salt Ponds and the maintenance of the Ponds to ensure the long-term protection ofthis
unique eco-treasure.
P.O. Box 146, Key West, FL 33041 phone: 305.296.3335 fax: 305.768.0525
Website: last-stand.org emait: edmint'illast-stand.or2
Last Stand Statement to the Monroe County Commission
Re: mc Request to Transfer Funds from Capital to Advertising
Page 2
While the revenue shortfall over the preceding months has been significant, indications are that
this is already turning around. Julio Avael, Key West City Manager, recently stated that the
largest shortfalls were in September, but that things have been steadily rebounding ever since.
The MCmC Occupancy Survey of December 20, 2001, clearly shows an improving curve with
expectations for December 2001 and January and February 2002 steadily improving. When
asked what their expectations were when comparing this year to last, survey respondents
provided the following data:
In November: 100% of respondents experienced lower occupancy rates than in the
preceding year;
For December: 12% expected higher occupancy this year over last;
For January: 18% expected higher occupancy this year over last,
And for February: 35%, expected higher occupancy this year over last.
mC's own three year comparison of Bed Taxes shows that, compared to the base fiscal year of
1999, bed tax revenue in October of 200 1, immediately following the September tragedy,
actually exceeded that of October 1999 by nearly $100,000. There also have been several
millions of dollars brought forward each year - unspent money that is added to the following
year's budget - as well as a steady increase in the number of dollars set aside in the
catastrophic/emergency fund.
Today's New York Times reported statements by American and Continental Airlines that there
has been a slow but steady increase in passenger traffic each month since the dramatic drop
following September 11.
We also need to acknowledge the fact that more is not necessarily better. Many of the residents
of Monroe County believe that we have already exceeded the "carrying capacity" for sustainable
tourism and that continually increasing the count would only serve to continue the degradation of
our communities. We must strike a balance.
One final note: If the me does feel that this is an emergency situation and if the Commission
agrees with them, then the appropriate action would be to utilize the catastrophic/emergency
fund dollars that are intended for this purpose and not raid the capital fund. The mc ordinance
clearly states that "in the event that an emergency or catastrophe occurs and a state of emergency
is declared in any area of the county, the above allocations [referencing percentages assigned
from both the first two cents and the third cent of the tax] shall not apply to the use of tourist
development monies set aside for emergencies and catastrophes. The catastrophic/emergency
fund may be used for marketing, public relations and capital costs as the county commission,
upon recommendation of the mc, shall deem in the best interests of the county."
Thank you for your time and consideration.
eorge Hurd
Executive Director