[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6280788,"mediaKeyId","2611132-bf3b8a032968c0eb69d5c9cfcc054335","parentId",2611132,"title","Citrus County TDC: revenue and occupancy rebounded, but FEMA hotel usage and missing marketing assets worry operators","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3110000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2611132-bf3b8a032968c0eb69d5c9cfcc054335&start=3110&end=3110","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2611132-bf3b8a032968c0eb69d5c9cfcc054335/thumbnail_3110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280788/Citrus-County/Florida/Citrus-County-TDC-revenue-and-occupancy-rebounded-but-FEMA-hotel-usage-and-missing-marketing-assets-worry-operators","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280788-886476a5e239c5a4b1b8a70b01e9dbf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775192772&Signature=j49f7eVm7hIdzdpjl7LATSCmHmO9nehra2awEt-xQ0mjyUC~-4gt3CQsd4QRvoQ5DFPvhaltL27ZtFMUJhmji3iAiYSqdgOYvEi3RmnZ4rzfKpedj19vNoCuXhaN4VjNjHHkXqB~hRkbeMenzfi6mNe7xsqmFj0c0qf0c~6-KJo0avFNRzCiXJjALGddyvpV9cxb1VWJlFADTXICKoa1HNBepS0fLGsgqo0lHhSJuTUWiCq7hI2-L1Pr6kTxW~VRl1P3azTgrDTj1gQ7BTDb3EsF5O6iSYFMuiufUikFgOYEhO9lyHzz1nnar7yrzPow4zDFSG-IsKIHugWz-DM68g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Citrus County, FL","date","2025-03-13T02:18:28Z","article","Tourism staff told the Citrus County Tourist Development Council on March 12 that hotel occupancy and lodging revenue have recovered since last year, but FEMA placements and other disruptions are complicating interpretation of the numbers and squeezing visitor-facing businesses.

A staff member reported that county revenue collections are up roughly 19 percent year-over-year for the month the office is reporting (three-month lag means the revenue figure reflected November activity). The presentation noted occupancy increases despite the Plantation and Kings Bay Lodge being out of service, which the presenter said accounts for a roughly 16 percent reduction in available rooms at those properties.

Board members asked how much of the revenue bump came from FEMA placements; staff said the federal agency has not provided a breakdown. \"We haven't received any numbers from FEMA yet,\" a staff member said. Staff estimated roughly 90 FEMA-occupied rooms in hotel stock of about 13,000 rooms countywide and emphasized that rooms where occupants have left belongings remain unavailable to the public even when the temporary occupants are not physically present.

TDC members and local operators said FEMA-occupied rooms -- and uncertainty about how long they will be tied up -- are a continuing challenge for tour operators, restaurants and other small businesses that rely on steady visitor flows. Staff said daily tracking suggests FEMA placements may continue into April or longer depending on federal funding decisions.

Marketing metrics presented to the council showed strong social-media performance: multiple posts and a Fox 35 segment garnered hundreds of thousands to millions of impressions, and the office reported growth in Instagram followers and substantial FAM-tour activity, including a Brazilian familiarization group. Staff also cited upcoming new hotels (Fairfield Resort, Home2 Suites and a Hampton Inn in Homosassa) as likely to increase future capacity.

Separately, board members raised three operational concerns:

- Withheld digital asset: Members said the county has lost access to a paid 3D/VR asset produced under a previous contract with an outside vendor (referred to in discussion as Madden/Madden Media). Staff said most historical assets were transferred to Miles Media, but the immersive asset remains withheld. Board members discussed negotiating partial payment to obtain the asset and using it at trade shows, visitor centers and other promotional events.

- Local bed-tax collection and short-term-rental compliance: One board member urged the county to examine software and vendors that would allow the county to collect bed-tax locally rather than through the state, and to track short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) that may not be remitting tax. Staff said it has identified three vendor companies that can perform local collection and short-term-rental compliance but that final selection and procurement is beyond staff delegation and will be brought forward later.

- Staff travel reimbursement: Presenters and members criticized the county per-diem policy as outdated for high-cost markets; staff reported federal GSA rates are sometimes substantially higher than the county per diem and urged the county to explore options, including whether some travel costs could be reimbursed from an alternative budget line or through a nonprofit partner.

Board members also discussed strategy items the council wants tracked, including trail- and outdoor-based tourism (hiking, biking, birding, paddling) to diversify destination marketing and guard against future shocks. Public comment included a local volunteer who said manatees remained in the county later this season than in recent years, a point staff said could help extend the manatee-tourism season into April.

Staff will follow up on FEMA room counts, options for recovering or reacquiring the 3D/VR asset, next steps in pursuing local bed-tax collection solutions, and whether per-diem policy revisions are feasible. No formal policy changes or purchases were approved at the meeting on these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Citrus County Tourist Development Council - March 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","TDC staff reported year-over-year gains in occupancy and revenue but said FEMA placements and other distortions are affecting availability. Board members raised separate operational concerns: withheld 3D/VR marketing assets, potential shift to local bed-tax collection, unpaid short-term-rental taxes, and travel-reimbursement limits for staff.","taxTitle","Citrus County, Florida","taxId",12756,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6280793,"TDC approves $13,764 to relocate Crystal River weather camera; member recuses",625,807000,1432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2611132-bf3b8a032968c0eb69d5c9cfcc054335&start=807&end=1432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2611132-bf3b8a032968c0eb69d5c9cfcc054335/thumbnail_807000.jpg","/articles/6280793/Citrus-County/Florida/TDC-approves-13764-to-relocate-Crystal-River-weather-camera-member-recuses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280793-50eecd0ac1156b996caeaee7ef20a2b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775192772&Signature=e1T3Crcos~Sd5lrnc8lPsP2hvm6E5CZeUMrHtCHx3VF~-H9NqPs1Qx1yyT6oZU~Tyb1~AzV74ZF0OQR6nU4uWyO9s5yi91V0U6Xm9xDNcKzyD32mv7tOTHY3uLtPAO5xNMbAj~uzAB-8396RFwWOlW737Ep1i8kqReQlG0CVA8LfRaaCWhMzl2WkeKt9wTr8ktSVgx~oNdDQvLfw5g~LL6~~6nk97ed3lGtSWr7oMlFI4pSjK3vsHMnqHYWYiZzOGXRkNzKxbRDJ8nzyQY1hMVAF0xN2l0g5u2mC8Wqv4uCPNbBXXBeTETD~Y4LPcovLTpODcJV-ruPH6uK5DKwGIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Citrus County Tourist Development Council on March 12 approved spending $13,764 from its special projects fund to relocate the Discover Crystal River weather camera to Paddletail Lodge and restore a live feed on WFLA.

A staff member told the council the initial commitment for a weather-camera sponsorship was $24,480, of which the county has already paid its portion. Paddletail Lodge committed just under $13,000, leaving a $13,764 shortfall that the TDC voted to cover so the camera could be reinstalled and the accompanying media package activated.

The camera sponsorship includes a 30-second commercial produced at no additional cost, rotating banner placements on the station's weather and news apps, and other marketing exposure. The staff member said WFLA limits the program to 14 cameras and that moving the camera to Paddletail would likely increase sunset views and overall impressions.

Board members discussed the percentage split of exposure tied to contributions. Staff said the previous host, Plantation, paid roughly 70 percent of the sponsorship and that under the new arrangement the county would take on the larger share and negotiate exposure percentages with Paddletail and Miles Media as part of the formal contract.

Chair Commissioner Holly Davis opened the motion to proceed with the plan. The motion was made by Max Schulman and seconded by Chris Ensing. Dr. Paresh Desai disclosed that he owns Paddletail Lodge and did not participate in the vote. The motion carried 5-0.

Terry, a staff member, said the $13,000 would be added to the county's media plan and that Miles Media would handle the contract and negotiation of advertising percentages. The council asked staff to consult the county attorney about whether Dr. Desai needs to complete a formal recusal or conflict-of-interest form.

The TDC's special projects account was referenced repeatedly as the funding source; a board member noted the account holds roughly $2.5 million and suggested the county could fund a larger share in future years to make the camera purely a county asset. Staff said next fiscal-year budgeting would be the appropriate time to revisit a full county-owned arrangement.

Motion details and next steps were limited to staff contract negotiations and attorney review; the council did not approve any change in policy about camera sponsorship splits or future ownership at this meeting.

","The Citrus County Tourist Development Council voted 5-0 on March 12 to cover a $13,764 balance to relocate a WFLA weather camera to Paddletail Lodge. Dr. Paresh Desai disclosed ownership interest in the host property and did not participate in the vote.","actionData","errors"]

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Citrus County TDC: revenue and occupancy rebounded, but FEMA hotel usage and missing marketing assets worry operators

TDC approves $13,764 to relocate Crystal River weather camera; member recuses