CAC Minutes 02/18/2005 W
February 18, 2005
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE COASTAL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE BUDGET WORKSHOP
Naples, Florida, February 18, 2005
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Coastal Advisory Committee Budget
Workshop in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business
herein, met on this date at 12:30 PM in WORKSHOP SESSION in Building
"F of the Government Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following
members present:
CHAIRMAN: Ron Pennington
John Arceri
Murray Hendel (Excused)
Heidi Kulpa
Tony Pires
James Snediker
John Sorey III
Paul Sullivan (Excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Ron Hovell
Maria Bernal, Tourism
Heidi Ashton, Assistant County Attorney
Jack Wert, Tourism Director
Gary McAlpin, Coastal Projects Mgr.
Mark Isaacson, OMB
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Collier County Government
Communication &
Customer Relations Department
3301 East Tamiami Trail
Naples, FL 34112
Contact: Sandra Arnold-Lawson
Public Information Coordinator
(239) 774-8308
Feb. 8,2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
BUDGET WORKSHOP
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
FRIDA Y, FEBRUARY 18, 2005
12:30 p.m.
The Coastal Advisory Committee is holding a budget workshop to review the 10- Year Budget
Plan for Category "A" projects on Friday, Feb. 18 at 12:30 p.m. in the Board of County
Commissioners' chambers, located on the third floor of the W. Harmon Turner Building,
Building F, Collier County Government Center, 3301 E. Tamiami Trail, Naples.
The agenda includes, but is not limited to, a discussion regarding the Tourist Development Tax
projections, Reserve Fund requirements and amounts, financing of projects and other topics related to
the finalization of the 10-Year Budget Plan for beach projects.
If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in
this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please
contact the Collier County Facilities Management Department located at 330 I E. Tamiami
Trail, Naples, FL 34112, (239) 774-8380 at least two days prior to the meeting. Assisted
listening devices for the hearing impaired are available in the Board of County Commissioners'
Office.
For more information, call Maria Bernal in the Tourism Department Office at 213-2966.
- End-
February 18, 2005
CAC BUDGET WORKSHOP
The Budget Workshop was called to order by CAC Chairman Ron Pennington at
12:30 PM.
TDC Category "A" Projections was distributed (Attached)
Mr. Hovell introduced Mark Issacson from the Budget Office.
Mark Isaacson - Office of ManaIæment and Budget - the Committee asked how the
funds flow through to Finance. He is not with the Finance Dept. but gave a synopsis of
how the process takes place. (Funds 193-194-195)
Some points brought up in discussion are as follow:
· Fax is received from tax collector and then broken down by source of tourist
collections. (by month)
· Then wired to finance - then shift them into various funds according to
Ordinance.
· Then he checks with SAP system for reconciliation of revenues.
· The revenue projections are given from his office
Questions, comments and discussion followed on the 10 year plan, revenues, surplus
and Category "A, B & C".
Renourishment versus Marketing and expenses anticipated was a real concern.
Mr. Wert stated forecasting and projections are going to be asked of the hoteliers.
This will help their projections for budgeting purposes. Hoteliers are saying they
have "no new" business on the books for July/August/September. They did last year
at this time, consequently concerned.
Proiections
· Mark goes through budget process by lobbying TDC and CAC and then
prepares a preliminary document that the BCC receives in a Workshop.
· Excess over plan - program requirements not projected for.
· $6.4M is conservative according to CAC.
· Notes by Budget office are reviewed by the various divisions and BCC will
know CAC has major concerns.
· TDC & CAC both agree the interest should not go back to the General Fund.
· Mr. Wert stated projections can be difficult at times - some too high/some
too low.
Caution
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February 18, 2005
· Mark gives a note of caution - wouldn't be concerned on forecast
methodology had they not be faced with Mr. Wert's proposal. Last year was a
record year in tourist tax receipts based on historical averages. But concerned
when they don't know what will happen in the summer months. It is
dangerous to make any "wild swings" in forecasting and advises not to do so.
· Mr. Wert is concerned about the negative advertising for meeting planners
concerning the 2004 Hurricanes. Need to tell people why they "should"
consider Florida.
· Mr. Pennington is concerned of expending funds when it appears they will
have a dire need for them before the end of the year.
Revenues
1) Tourist Taxes - Category "A"
2) Reimbursement Revenues - (Sheet attached)
a. Local Cost Sharing
1. Received check from Marco Island for their portion of the Hideaway
Beach Renourishment. Remainder is projected payments from FL DEP.
File quarterly reports with State and then get reimbursed.
b. FDEP Contract
c. FDEP Long Range Plan
d. FEMA Projections
3) Financing
a. 10 Year Term - Debt analysis for Parks. (Attached)
This shows the summary by years.
**The Executive Summary of the tourism presentation for the BCC meeting on Tuesday
was distributed and discussed. (Attached)
Also discussed the Tourist Tax Ordinance change and vote by the Commissioners.
Expenses Covered
A. Inlets:
· Covered the figures for each Pass
· Caxambas Pass information will be provided at the next CAC meeting
B. Structures:
· #2 - Wood Groins will be removed from the Budget
C. Beaches:
· Covered the various beaches.
D. Beach Maintenance (Includes)
· Sea Turtle Monitoring
· Beach Cleaning
· Dunes/StructureslMisc.
E. Administration Fees
· Project Management
· Tax Collector/Misc
F. Special Projects
· Lake Trafford Restoration - start in next month.
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February 18, 2005
· Vanderbilt Parking Garage - Total cost max $8.1M ($7.5M financed)
· Financing - Parking Garage
G. Beach Park Facilities
· Beach Park Facilities
· Prior Year Carry forward
· Financing - Parking Garage (Parks & Recreation)
Mr. Hovell mentioned they have budgeted 5% less than projected which won't affect the
Reserves.
Mr. Wert wants to take current monies for advertising and marketing to bring people to
the Naples area in the 4th quarter - July/ August/September.
Discussion in increased advertising and several questions were asked of Mr. Wert
concerning marketing.
Mr. Arceri is against the Ordinance change but wanted to propose a compromise and
was willing to discuss it at their next meeting. He would like to help the hotel group.
Discussed sunsetting after one year.
Mr. Pires is concerned that this Ordinance change is not just for 1 year. He would be in
favor of just a one year opportunity.
Mr. Pennington is opposed to making any change in the distribution of funds.
Mr. Wert didn't think this was a one year problem - will continue to suffer in this
destination from not being able to publicize adequately. They are losing market share
and will continue to lose more because of the lack of funds to advertise.
Discussion of putting this issue on their next CAC agenda was discussed. The majority
of members attending can have an item added to the Agenda.
There being no further business for the good ofthe County, the workshop was
adjourned by order of the Chair at 3:12 PM.
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COLLIER COUNTY COASTAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE BUDGET WORKSHOP
Chairman Ron Pennington
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