The Tourist Development Council meeting held on May 8, 2024, in Citrus County, Florida, focused on several key agenda items, including funding requests and event planning. The meeting began with procedural adjustments, where members unanimously agreed to pull item D5 from the agenda for further discussion. This decision was made to ensure clarity and proper voting procedures.

Following this, the council addressed item D6, which involved a funding request for an event that had been funded for four consecutive years. Members expressed concerns about the sustainability of the event after three years of funding. It was decided to postpone the discussion on this item until June, allowing the organizers to present their case more effectively.

Alicia Belden, the Executive Director of the Twisted Arts Initiative, presented a new application for the Walk of Arts Festival. She announced that the festival would be moved to February to avoid conflicts with other local events, such as the Inverness Arts Festival. Belden highlighted the festival's success in previous years, noting an increase in attendance despite scheduling conflicts. The festival will feature a sidewalk chalk competition for children, with no entry fees, and will offer over $4,500 in art supplies as prizes.

Belden also shared that the festival would return to Liberty Park in Inverness, emphasizing the importance of location for maximizing attendance. She noted that last year, a significant portion of participants came from outside Citrus County, with 35% of chalk competition sign-ups and nearly 89% of VIP ticket sales originating from outside the area. This trend indicates the festival's growing appeal beyond local residents.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the funding request for item D6 in June and to continue supporting initiatives that enhance the cultural landscape of Citrus County. The council's focus remains on fostering events that attract visitors and promote community engagement.