Resolution 2008-369
RESOLUTION NO. 2008- 369
A RESOLUTION OF THE COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTING THE
FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF CONVENTION AND
VISITORS BUREAU'S (FACVB) POSITION ON
OFFSHORE DRILLING FOR OIL AND NATURAL GAS.
WHEREAS, Florida's economy depends on its multi-billion dollar tourism industry.
Over 84 million visitors came to Florida in 2007, and they generated over $65 billion in taxable
sales. Tax revenues from tourism that year exceeded $4.0 billion. Over 991,000 people were
employed by the tourism industry in 2007; and,
WHEREAS the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau
estimates 1.4 million tourists visited Collier County in 2007. The total visitor expenditures
exceeded $1.1 billion. The direct economic impact from visitors supported over 31,000 jobs and
over $897 million in tourism wages. The local hotel tax alone exceeded $14.5 million during
fiscal year 2007; and
WHEREAS, the risk to Florida's economy posed by oil and natural gas disaster off
Florida's coast could be substantial. For example, a small oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, off
Collier County could be devastating to Collier's coastline, our most important visitor amenity;
and
WHEREAS, recent improvements and advanced safeguards in zero discharge technology
instituted by the oil and gas industry has significantly reduced the potential impact to Florida's
beaches; and
WHEREAS, tax revenues generated from Florida's growing tourism industry are critical
to continued funding of essential governmental services, including transportation, schools, and
public safety; and
WHEREAS, The Florida Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (F ACVB) after
carefully considering all factors, endorses state and Federal energy policies allowing the
production of oil and natural gas from existing leases within the Gulf of Mexico out of sight of
Florida's Coast with certain conditions; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive, long term energy policy, including conservation,
efficiency, renewable and alternative fuels and increased domestic oil and natural gas production
is essential in maintaining a healthy and vital Florida economy; and
WHEREAS, the Collier County Tourist Development Council (TDC) carefully
considered the F ACVB proposal at its November 24, 2008, meeting and recornmends that the
Board of County Commissioners accept the F ACVB proposal with the exception of provision
four on a mandatory moratorium; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has reviewed the TDC
recommendation and the F ACVB proposal and finds that the County Commissioners are in favor
of supporting the F ACVB proposal with the exception of the moratorium as recommended by the
TDC.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of County Commissioners of
Collier County supports the F ACVB position on offshore oil and natural gas drilling, minus the
five year moratorium on new leases in the eastern Gulf of Mexico provision.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board of County
Commissioners of Collier County shall execute and transmit a copy of this resolution to the
Florida Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus as evidence of the County's support of
the F ACVB position on offshore drilling.
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED this / /,41.. day of 7)retTlhev2008 after a motion,
second and majority vote favoring same.
DATED: 1-3tJ-~
ATTEST
. .
DWIGHT E. BROCK, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF COLLI R CO TY, FLORIDA
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, Chairman
Colleen M. Greene
Assistant County Attorney