Recommendation Concerning the Miscellaneous Appropriations Agreement between Escambia County and Visit Pensacola, Inc. - Stephan Hall, Budget Manager, Management and Budget Services
That the Board take the following action concerning the Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Miscellaneous Appropriations Agreement between Escambia County and Visit Pensacola, Inc.:
A. Approve allocating a portion of the remaining available balance in the Tourist Promotion Fund, Fund 108, to Visit Pensacola, Inc., from Cost Center 360101, in the amount of $929,682.00, and from Cost Center 360105, in the amount of $470,318.00, for a combined total of $1,400,000.00; and
B. Approve the Amendment to the Miscellaneous Appropriations Agreement, amending Section 3, increasing the allocation by $1,400,000, for a total allocation of $7,849,534.00, to be paid from the Tourist Promotion Fund (108), Cost Centers 360101 and 360105, Account 58201; and amending Exhibit "A" as follows:
1. Direct programming: Expenses of $4,925,816$6,034,817 related to acquiring visitors to the destination. This includes the purchase of advertising, payments for firms managing the advertising, public relations and market research programs, registration and travel for related trade shows and conferences, brochures and collateral, consumer promotions, sales promotions, website development and marketing, production of marketing materials, and customer sites/familiarization trips. Also included are expenses related to the marketing and operational support of local festivals and events that occur in Escambia County and attract visitors to our community;
2. Operations: Expenses of $340,622$396,944 related to the operations of the Visit Pensacola office and the Pensacola Sports Association (PSA); and
3. Personnel: Expenses of $1,183,096 $1,417,773 related to salaries and benefits for employees working for Visit Pensacola and the Pensacola Sports Association (PSA);
C. Authorize the Chairman to sign the Amendment and all other necessary documents; and
D. Authorize the execution of the necessary Change Order.
This is the first of possible multiple amendments to the Visit Pensacola (VP) Miscellaneous Appropriations Agreement (MAA) with Escambia County for Fiscal Year 2019/20. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and associated responses affecting tourism in the area and Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections, staff is recommending a more conservative funding increase due to the many uncertainties at this time. TDT collections will be monitored over the coming months and if determined to be stable, additional funding amendment(s) may be brought back to board requesting an increase in the VP MAA to support tourism related activities in Escambia County. |
On December 10, 2019, the Tourist Development Council voted to approve allocating the overage in the tourist development tax dollars from Fiscal Year 2018/2019 to Visit Pensacola.
Visit Pensacola has requested a $300,000 advance from this additional allocation. Per their Agreement, they operate on a reimbursement basis and the advance will provide cash flow until further expenses are reimbursed by the County. They also act as the fiscal agent for Pensacola Sports and Art, Culture, Entertainment (ACE) and it is critical for reimbursement in a timely manner. |
This Recommendation is in compliance with the Code of Ordinances of Escambia County, Florida, Chapter 46, Finance, Article II, Purchases and Contracts.
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