MANATEE COUNTY, FL (July 30, 2024) - The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has authorized a vote on an additional one percent to be added to the paid-for-by-visitors Tourist Development Tax on the November 5, 2024, ballot.
Since it was initially assessed to visitors in 1980, the Board of County Commissioners has utilized this type of tax to enhance certain community assets which also appeal to visitors, including but not limited to beach renourishment, the Bradenton Area Convention Center, Premier Sports Campus, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
“Tourism brings over $2 billion to our local economy a year,” said Elliott Falcione, Executive Director of the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “If we can build assets that are not only attractive to tourists but also benefit Manatee County residents with no cost to the residents, that’s a pretty good deal.”
On June 10, 2024, the TDC recommended to bring the additional 1% Tourist Development Tax levy to the Board of County Commissioners for placement on the November General Election Ballot. The additional one penny is anticipated to generate $7,800,000 tax proceeds per fiscal year.
“This is a not a tax that is being put on citizens,” said Manatee County BOCC Chair Mike Rahn. “It’s a tax on the tourism that comes into Manatee County.”
The motion to include the referendum on the November 5, 2024, General Election Ballot was approved 4-1, with Commissioner Van Ostenbridge in opposition and Commissioner Bearden absent.