Bed tax advocates prepare for workshop

Cultural advocates will ask “to be a true partner in shaping our county’s future” as the County Commission convenes a public workshop next Tuesday, August 11th.

The purpose of the workshop is to debate the 22-year-old structure for use of Tourist Development Council (TDC) funding – the bed tax on visitors that supports both tourism promotion and cultural and leisure development.

The workshop begins at 9 a.m. in the new county administration building auditorium, located at 500 San Sebastian View – a new road off US 1 just north of the Northgate Plaza Winn Dixie.

“The cultural community, the county’s non-profit cultural organizations, artists and cultural events presenters are eager to work shoulder-to-shoulder to promote tourism and serve tourists in St. Johns County,” a spokesperson for the St. Johns cultural coalition said. “It is their hope that funding will be properly allocated and structured to allow the cultural industry to be a true partner in shaping our county’s future.”

At stake is both the division of monies among tourism promotion and cultural and leisure development, as well as the organizational structure.

Currently the TDC board, which recommends funding distribution to the commission, and the Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB), which makes recommendations to the TDC, both operate under a single management.