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Citrus County Commission Pushes Forward on Tourism

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) made a big invest-

ment in tourism last week. Commissioners voted on Tuesday to raise the county's current

3% Tourism Development Tax (TDT) to 5%. The increase provides additional opportunities

for the Citrus County Visitors and Convention Bureau to market the quickly growing Florida

destination to domestic and international travelers.

"The Commissioner s decision makes a significant investment in our local econ-

omy without increasing the tax burden on local residents," said Adam Thomas, Director of

the Citrus County Visitors and Convention Bureau.

The TDT, also known as a "bed tax" or Transient Occupancy Tax is collected when

visitors stay at Hotels, RV Parks, Vacation Rentals and B&B's. Most Visitors and Conven-

tion Bureau's in Florida are funded by this method.

"This addition of two cents will provide us with a $600 thousand increase in annual

revenue," outgoing Tourism Development Council member Frank Peters told the Commis-

sioners. "It will bolster our marketing program and put us on a more level playing field with

Jasmine, a pretty gray tabby female

surrounding competitors."

cat, 6 years-old, has been unlucky at love.

The move was important in Citrus County where one of every eight workers is em-

She has been adopted twice, but was brought

ployed in tourism or tourism related fields. It comes as the destination, which markets itself

back to the shelter, the first time because her

as Discover Crystal River Florida, experiences record growth in visitors (450,000 in 2016)

owner died, and the second time when her

and other key performance indicators.

owner became ill. Jasmine is a sweet na-

"Since 2014, Citrus County Visitor spending has increased by $444 million, gener-

tured girl and is waiting to meet you in the

ating directly and indirectly 4,000 tourism related jobs," said Thomas. "In that period tour-

Cat Adoption Room. Once this girl settles

ism has had a $590 million economic impact on the community, generating $11.7 million

into her new digs, she's very affectionate

Missing white English bulldog puppy,

in local sales tax revenue," he added. "The industry drives economic growth, creates jobs

and seeks out attention. She loves climbing

and generates much needed tax revenue for local communities that save each Citrus County

towers and exploring the carpeted "condos."

Have you seen Cosmo? Cosmo is

resident household $193 in taxes each year."

Jasmine just wants to be safe, loved and

an 8-month-old English Bulldog puppy who

The TDT increase came in two separate votes, a unanimous vote for a fourth per-

taken care of. Come interact with Jasmine at

went missing Tuesday morning, Jan. 24,

centile dedicated to increasing the Citrus County Visitors and Conventions Bureau's budget,

the Citrus County Animal Shelter, located at

from his owner's yard on W. Ost West St.

and a 4 to 1 vote on a fifth percentile. That revenue will be set aside for future Capital Proj-

4030 S. Airport Rd. in Inverness, behind the

in Homosassa. It's possible that Cosmo has

ects or further marketing initiatives. In either case, the funds can only be spent by a direct

Citrus County Fairgrounds on Hwy. 41. Her

been stolen. If you've seen Cosmo, or know

Animal ID Number is 25130494. Shelter

where he is, please call the CCSO's non-

"I think this helps us compete with other counties," said Chairman Scott Carnahan.

hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00

emergency line at 352-726-1121. He was

"I feel the Tourism Development Council is equipped to bring us projects when it is needed

am until 4:00 pm. Please call 352-746-8400

not wearing a collar and most likely wants

and it will be up to this board to decide how to use the money."

or TTY 352-726-7093 for additional infor-

to return home to his mother.

"We'll have this money building where it is not a burden on our citizens," said

Commissioner Brian Coleman. "If we have a project come up in the future, I don't want our

citizens to be expected to pay for it. I want to use these funds."

Accountability is built in, contended Commissioner Jeff Kinnard. "If the voters of

Citrus County don't like the way the Commission is spending that money, they will make a

change at the ballot box."

This also means there will be no further Tourism Development Tax increases since

State law sets the maximum levee at 5% in relation to Citrus County.

Inglis Super Stop Restaurant

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