Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/316941
will rise, based on the funding formula in place. "There is no cap," Vice Chairwoman Christine Robinson pointed out. "There is no sinister motive to what we are proposing today," said Commissioner Joe Barbetta. "No one is trying to slash any bud- get. We are looking at taking some of this extra money and investing properly in tour- ism-generating projects." Barbetta added that hotels have to pro- mote themselves. "The [Ritz-Carlton] has an advertising budget," for example, he said in response to some public comments indicat- ing Visit Sarasota County should help market new hotels that are under construction in downtown Sarasota. Using TDT funding for capital projects is cru- cial as the county tries to widen its tourism appeal beyond just the beaches, he added. Virginia Haley, president of Visit Sarasota County, said she believes the plan the board discussed on May 16 is not as bad as a cap, but she asked that any changes be introduced in phases. Patterson said she did not want to pull money away from the promotional efforts that have been building momentum over the years. Visit Sarasota has done a good job of marketing the county's beaches, sports venues and other attractions, Patterson noted. "I hear what [Haley's] staff members do in the world that promotes the area," she added, ref- erencing her position as chairwoman of the county's Tourist Development Council. % A chart shows how promotional funds are allocated out of the five pennies of the Tourist Development Tax and suggests how part of the funds could be used for capital projects. Image courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader May 23, 2014 Page 19