County Session Notes

WORKSESSION - TOURIST TAX 
Staff Report County Attorney Tom Wilkes reviewed the uses of the fourth and fifth cents of the Tourist Development Tax.  Mr. Wilkes explained the "fourth cent" is for debt on the convention center, sports debt, the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau, convention center operations, and capital improvements.  He continued that the "fifth cent" is restricted to existing sports debt for the Orlando Arena and the Citrus Bowl or other professional sports franchise facilities.  
May 2, 1995    Page 259       
May 2, 1995    Page 259   
Mr. Wilkes further explained a "freed up" portion of the "fourth  cent" would first be used to increase the subsidy to the convention center; the remainder would be used for the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau and, also, for the Florida Citrus Sports Association. 
Mr. Wilkes continued that the surplus "fifth cent" will be deposited into the Tourist Development Trust Fund to be used for baseball.   He added that March 9, 1997, is the deadline for acquiring a baseball team.  Mr. Wilkes noted that if Orange County gets a baseball team, the accumulated surplus in the trust fund will be used for the design and construction of a stadium; however, if the County does not get a baseball team, the accumulated monies would be used to redeem all existing sports debt for the Orlando Arena and the Citrus Bowl.  He pointed out that the sports debt cannot be paid in advance; the earliest it could begin to be paid is 1998.  
Discussion The Board discussed the possibility of changing the terms of the two-year agreement with Norton Herrick, the likelihood of changing legislation on this issue, and use of the tourist tax for transportation improvements in the tourism district.   
Motion Upon a motion by County Chairman Chapin, seconded by Commissioner Butler, and carried with County Chairman Chapin and all commissioners present and voting AYE by voice vote, the Board approved retaining the "fifth cent" Tourist Development Tax as presently provided for by Ordinance No. 94-25. 
For the record, Commissioner Hoenstine stated that although he does not agree with continuing to collect the "5th cent," he will stand by it since this was part of the agreement with Norton Herrick. 
In conclusion of the worksession, County Chairman Chapin read a portion of a poem entitled "Herrick at the Bat."