Today’s special called TDC meeting will discuss a resolution to use the hopeful 5th cent bed tax to entice new airlines to come to our new airport that will open in just less than 16 months. The 5th cent goes up for vote by the County Commissioners tomorrow at their regularly scheduled commission meeting.
Previously, the majority of the 5th cent, if it were approved was to go to improving our sports facilities and events infrastructure in addition to other capital improvements.
The resolution summary reads:
“A resolution of the Bay County Tourist Development Council recommending to the Board of County Commissioners of Bay County, Florida, the adoption of the 5th cent (1%) tourist development tax for the express and limited purpose of supporting low cost air carriers providing service into Bay County; and providing an immediately effective date. “
At this point, it is unclear whether this is a compromise in order to get the fifth cent passed or not. The resolution stipulates that the fifth cent will be used to support low cost carriers for a period of five years. I expect to have more information on this later today.
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At a time when the number of visitors to Florida is dropping, I think it foolish to increase taxes. Give more people a reason to come here and airlines might follow.
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when does the tax increase go into effect
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We still need the sports facilities….
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Bearabull, the tax increase goes into effect immediately, as far as I know. If not, maybe march 1?
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Is the 4 cent in effect? I don’t recall getting any letters to increase the tax.
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The Clerks office is waiting for today’s vote to send out notices to the “tax collectors” as to the dates that a to be used. March 1 for the first 1% and April 1 for the second 1%. At least the Clerk’s office is trying to save money by cutting postage.
Now the owners that pay will make 2% less because the rental prices for this year are already set and being used to book. We are already making 25% less thanks to the great “white sale” forcing the market down last year.
I just wish that the TDC did as good at marketing for my condo rentals as they did to get more tax money!
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Nothing will attract new and repeat visitors better than fixing up the overall appearance of PCB by keeping the beautiful beaches from being despoiled, removing and beautifying delapidated structures, empty lots and other eyesores, i.e., ugly billboards, adding more sidewalks and landscraping to Thomas Drive and Front Beach Road, picking up trash on a daily basis, etc., etc., etc.
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