Sarasota News Leader

06/13/2014

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an agreement inked in conjunction with the board's award of the 2013 grant. However, Carolyn Brown, director of the county's Parks and Recreation Department, explained that only $81,302.60 could be covered by Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue set aside by law for promotional purposes. TDT money was what the board used last year for the $79,200 grant. The agreement for 2014 provides up to $94,200, Brown added. That ceiling, Vice Chairwoman Christine Robinson pointed out, was included "just to be for a comfort level" if Super Boat International raised the sanctioning fees. "We felt the [request for more money] would be in line just because of the gradual increase, since 2008, in economic impact [from the festival and the boat race]," Nicandri told the board. In 2008, research commissioned by Suncoast Charities showed an economic impact on the county of $9.6 million from the race and related activities, including a parade of boats down Main Street in Sarasota. That figure climbed to $12.7 million in 2011, $14.3 million in 2012 and $17 million last year, Nicandri noted. Robinson eventually made a motion for the board to approve the $81,302.60, which passed unanimously. Commissioner Joe Barbetta argued for the maximum allowed in the agreement, but he conceded he did not have the votes for that move. "I was a part of reaching that compromise last year," Robinson said, referencing discussions she had with members of the charity's board after Nicandri appeared before the commis- sion on March 19, 2013, to ask for a grant to L u c y N i c a n d r i a d d r e s s e s t h e C o u n t y Commission in March 2013. File photo Sarasota News Leader June 13, 2014 Page 41

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