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of the county [in tourism]," Robinson said. "They are holding their own." A BUDGET ISSUE During the board's March 25 budget work- shop, the County Commission undertook a discussion of the TDT revenue that has been coming in higher than budgeted. Figures through February show the county up almost $700,000 over last year's total for the same period of time. "I want to invest more in assets … to generate more tourism for the community," Barbetta said during the workshop. These projects also "benefit the community," he pointed out. Investing in assets produces more tourism and creates more "generators of tourism," such as hotels and local attractions, he noted. In turn, the latter create additional TDT revenue, something that spending money on marketing and advertising does not do, he maintained. New developments that draw tourism also become advertisements themselves, as they attract new people to the area and give visi- tors something to do, Barbetta said. During Wednesday's meeting, Patterson acknowledged that there are infrastructure projects to which TDT revenue could be allocated. A planned North County Sports Complex is just one example, she noted. But marketing the area to potential vaca- tioners is important, too, she said, adding there has to be a balance. "Promotion has run behind when compared to similar communi- ties," Patterson pointed out — a fact that a Visit Sarasota County consultant has made to the county's Tourist Development Council, which Patterson chairs. % Manuel R. Chepote, LUTCF Chepote Insurance Inc. 1300 Main Street • Sarasota, Florida (941) 366-0100 Serving Sarasota & Manatee Counties agents.allstate.com/manuel-r-chepote-sarasota-fl.html Click for driving directions Auto • Home • Life Renters • Motorcycles Flood • Business • Annuities Financial Services Sarasota News Leader April 25, 2014 Page 16