§ 13-65. Use of revenues generally; visitor's bureau.

(a)

The tax revenues received pursuant to this article shall be used as provided by law to fund the county tourist development plan, which shall include acquisition and construction of a convention center, baseball stadium and related facilities; an indoor combination convention and sports arena and related facilities suitable for professional rodeo, conventions and other activities; multi-purpose buildings suitable for agricultural conventions and exhibitions; other capital facilities authorized by law; payment of operating expenses for such facilities; advertising and promotion of the county's tourism and leisure travel industry; and operating costs of a convention and visitors bureau. Priority shall be given to the payment of debt service on obligations secured by tax revenues received pursuant to this article and compliance with other requirements related to such obligations.

(b)

The expenditure of funds for advertisement shall be administered as directed by the county manager subject to review by both the county tourist development council and the board of county commissioners.

(c)

The bureau shall have a director as authorized by the board of county commissioners. The bureau's budget shall be prepared and approved in conformity with the applicable state laws which regulate the expenditure of public funds.

(d)

The bureau shall perform the following functions:

(1)

Serve as a news bureau promoting the county's tourist activities, attractions and accommodations;

(2)

Provide directional signs to assist tourists in locating tourist activities, attractions and accommodations;

(3)

Provide maps and other materials to assist tourists;

(4)

Establish and maintain a traveling action team to promote the county as a tourist center and leisure travel destination at conventions, trade association meetings, exhibitions or other gatherings which might be reasonably expected to promote development of the county as a tourist center and leisure travel destination;

(5)

Establish and maintain tourist information centers within the county to provide assistance and direction to tourists and visitors;

(6)

Create and promote a system of local education to improve the nature and type of treatment received by tourists when visiting the county;

(7)

Study the feasibility of acquiring and maintaining public facilities authorized by F.S. § 125.0104; and

(8)

Development and implement other advertising and promotional activities to support and enhance the county's tourism and leisure travel industry.

(e)

Services related to advertising and promotion of the county's tourism and leisure travel industry and the functions of a convention and visitors bureau may be contracted to a not for profit corporation formed under the laws of the State of Florida and which may operate as a destination management organization. In such event. the requirements of subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply: provided, however, that the tourist development council shall continue to receive the quarterly expenditure reports required by F.S. § 125.0104(4)(e).

(f)

The foregoing tourist development plan may not be amended except by ordinance enacted by an affirmative vote of a majority plus one (1) additional member of the board of county commissioners.

(Ord. No. 77-7, § 2; Ord. No. 79-7; Ord. No. 83-7; Ord. No. 87-4, § 1; Ord. No. 88-17, § 2; Ord. No. 92-5, § 2; Ord. No. 92-11, § 1, 5-18-92; Ord. No. 93-13, § 1, 7-19-93; Ord. No. 01-42, § 4, 1-14-02; Ord. No. 03-43, § 3, 12-15-03; Ord. No. 12-33, § 2, 11-5-12; Ord. No. 2014-142, § 1, 8-18-14)

State law reference

Authorized use of revenues, F.S. § 125.0104(5); adoption and amendment of tourist development plan, F.S. § 125.0104(4)(c), (d).