PALM COAST AND THE FLAGLER BEACHES, FLORIDA — MARCH 2017. During a March 20 meeting, the Flagler County Board of Commissioners met to approve a one percent increase in the County’s Tourist Development Tax, assessed to overnight visitors to the destination. The County’s Tourist Development Tax rate, which was previously at four percent, will now be increased to five percent, the maximum allowed by law for Flagler County. The tax increase will be implemented June 1, 2017.
A three-year, tiered plan will be applied to restore the County’s coastline following hurricane Matthew, which occurred in early October 2016. It is estimated that the County currently needs $7.5 million dollars of matching funds to receive both Federal and State grants that will assist the County with the coastline recovery efforts.
“Our beaches are our number one visitor asset and we are pleased that the staff’s final recommendation to the board was approved unanimously,” said Matt Dunn, executive director of Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches. “Staff worked very hard to crunch the numbers in all three funds, with a goal to have much of the needed re-nourishment matching funds paid for by visitors, and not the residents.”
Flagler County’s Tourist Development Tax is currently allocated into three separate funds including: promotions, capital projects and beach restoration. Under the newly approved three-year, tiered plan, the Beach Restoration Fund will be on target to collect a total of $2,750,000, a 290% increase, versus the $700,000 it’s estimated to collect under the current tax rate. Following the three-year, tiered plan, the Beach Restoration Fund is expected to collect a minimum of $500,000 per year.
The current balance for the Beach Restoration Fund is $1,500,000 and has already been pledged by the Board of County Commissioners, along with a $500,000 direct appropriation from the Capital Projects Fund for Federal and State grant matching funds.
Flagler County’s cinnamon colored, coquina sand beaches, with the exception of a temporary closure of Varn Park, are all open for business, and most beach walkovers have been repaired–welcoming visitors from around the world to enjoy surfer quality waves and Mother Nature at her finest.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Matthew Dunn, 386.313.4225
Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches
Flagler County Tourism Development Council