Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax Citizen Advisory Task Force recommended funding for 12 projects vying for billions in TDT funds, and turned down some fairly high-profile initiatives too.
On Tuesday, the task force met for the final time to hear and consider proposals on disbursing around $3 billion from the Tourist Development Tax fund (the “hotel tax” or 6% levy added to the cost of a hotel room, Airbnb or other short-term lodging). The citizen-led task force sent forward 12 projects to be voted on by county commissioners at the end of August.
Projects thumbs-upped by the task force include Florida Citrus Sports’ request to build a new parking garage and events center for Camping World Stadium; an expansion to the Dr. Phillips Center downtown that will include an outdoor amphitheater; Dr. Phillips Charities’ plan for a history and cultural center in Eatonville; a proposal from Creative City Project for funding for the Immerse Festival downtown; and the Orange Audubon Society’s proposed nature center at Lake Apopka.
Just as notably, the task force decided against a proposal to expand the Orange County Convention Center to the tune of over $523 million and the Orlando Dreamers’ $975 million request to help fund the construction of a baseball stadium in hopes of hosting a professional baseball team in Orlando.
Though the task force did approve these 12 projects, this is not the final step; they act as an advisory board. Now their recommendations go to the Board of County Commissioners, who have the final say on the billions in TDT funds are disbursed. The commissioners will likely announce their final decisions at the BCC meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
