[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6268789,"mediaKeyId","3049674-73ab7eb02eadbf49f5af6f56ca2ea370","parentId",3049674,"title","Local volunteer thanks TDC for Flagler Park historic sign project","audioSeconds",106,"startMs",54000,"endMs",160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049674-73ab7eb02eadbf49f5af6f56ca2ea370&start=54&end=160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049674-73ab7eb02eadbf49f5af6f56ca2ea370/thumbnail_54000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268789/Okeechobee-County/Florida/Local-volunteer-thanks-TDC-for-Flagler-Park-historic-sign-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268789-9d19129ec7855b86e9da130a5426b4fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116691&Signature=ZWzerRdJjKGB5cVEg3Iwmft8JTCtZ2J6C8BPVF72fMVl8i~GdcYsSLsxxkfP~l0UH9t0cbw4-s72NZCImriklGajF--6uJSmeKkF4wxMr8Dt6N6vtw3QqISnmnEfE9tLNKliAzqMVaex9Q~NgSPr7-dlXz54ePHM8l9cIVPPxhkPxjis3kj1ytv1fWpfJ~buoco83KwstWRohxUnfm3SSnYp7rOAo-FYgCpoJpt18VKAWCaglC7DtWee24gIlhSpRFOTwzInC8GoryOQJtD2wc9~RcP6FUSR0n8S7iJZ61FAU80RponmFMyfBSDuA-lySkj-HQVcZpfFWwmkEVziUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Okeechobee County, FL","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","Maggie Cable, identifying herself as representing the Historical Society and Main Street, told the Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council during public comment that historic interpretive signs placed on lampposts in Flagler Park have been installed and were unveiled at an event last week. \"We did have the unveiling of the project in the park. All the signs are up,\" Cable said.

Cable said staff installed the signs and the unveiling included a scavenger hunt and market participation. She thanked the board for its prior approval of the project and said she did not seek additional funding at this meeting. A council member responded, \"I would just like to tell Maggie thank you. She works very hard for our community.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A volunteer told the Tourist Development Council that recent historic signs placed in Flagler Park were successfully unveiled and thanked the council for support.","taxTitle","Okeechobee County, Florida","taxId",56060,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268793,"TDC pledges $30,000 host fee to bring Bassmaster College Series to Okeechobee in January 2026",580,2880000,3460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049674-73ab7eb02eadbf49f5af6f56ca2ea370&start=2880&end=3460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049674-73ab7eb02eadbf49f5af6f56ca2ea370/thumbnail_2880000.jpg","/articles/6268793/Okeechobee-County/Florida/TDC-pledges-30000-host-fee-to-bring-Bassmaster-College-Series-to-Okeechobee-in-January-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268793-1d7403e91b727891181716095ed4c5ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116691&Signature=htlkK5xM--hjqC590x-sKyUzRgbUFvMuk5MWHPID1iA4sNkcwdwZOv11eL~zSeY2G1iyjXowmOJ-AQdvpfVcoKR8w7BSNWAajkEQ4fYxmflwLt8W5QaLIphwTUg2AX~l16pcaX~b7BlBi81GXcaEZIsAjdp1bdeR3Ld~bkRn05BU715XP6iitIIRWDN-9qv--eL6Z2YpynFe260i0WKC~g4Mq4cGhN1bxFggUJB0a~H22gnq-hXaNxB0iyvxYkn8xLiV70b-8CwovSRO~Ab6cnPMx908xSb~v0xGqxnXOZqHcYRIy-NflRshfrI8lTixvQzZ7EnMZQ0ifCJijlR-oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council voted unanimously to provide a $30,000 host fee to secure the Bassmaster College Series for January 2026.

Tourism staff said the college event typically generates family attendance and additional lodging nights compared with other tournaments, and that Bassmaster listed deliverables including social-media mentions and complimentary meeting space; Bassmaster waived a request for 48 nights of complimentary lodging in recognition of the county’s constraints. Staff noted site logistics the county will provide, including restroom facilities, waste management and ice deliveries.

The council also reviewed the March 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series visit, which staff said brought more than 10,000 attendees over final weigh-in days, large broadcast and digital impressions and positive commentary about improving lake conditions. Staff estimated the Elite host fee was $50,000 plus additional Bass Bash costs (approximately $20,000 budgeted for Bass Bash, not all necessarily spent) and said a full financial report would be provided at a future meeting.

Action: The council approved the $30,000 host fee for Bassmaster College Series (January 2026) and authorized staff to proceed under existing spending authority for ancillary expenses.","The Tourist Development Council unanimously approved a $30,000 host fee to bring the Bassmaster College Series to Okeechobee in January 2026 and reviewed outcomes from this year's Bassmaster Elite event.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268798,"Tourist board approves WOKC fishing sponsorship, hears report on influencer campaign and quarter advertising",321,2469000,2790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049674-73ab7eb02eadbf49f5af6f56ca2ea370&start=2469&end=2790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049674-73ab7eb02eadbf49f5af6f56ca2ea370/thumbnail_2469000.jpg","/articles/6268798/Okeechobee-County/Florida/Tourist-board-approves-WOKC-fishing-sponsorship-hears-report-on-influencer-campaign-and-quarter-advertising","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268798-0f149bf29eefa3f050d2665ea5401966/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116691&Signature=RocTuUdi-6H3-DOvsyoUiqTmB7UWnOl15OpGpM1dwI-XpgMCurmguPJK8bKvTgPqh4sgmAe21b3D0X2Sz52liYPs2E9Fthzq-iSKvYJtpwofltumZfgck4y-ZxJif4QLqOp-NaXpBHC7FLEGpCBNUd~-Y03Y-LKZVEKuWRAdhjlDk8buM9daji7x~5Xruug-tPXGK9ZdnRiuYR3cecE43LkvpVCk6oJGkdLUEymcOTRnr7rOCn7UWar0JGoWMv3R9XU5JJP8BygM0uTHjEisnpLvfHJ6smvsSGObY00ZPFRv2WSjZbiq-Gpn5T--PrErylK0Wdpd4eFIM5wXP8Wn-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council voted unanimously to fund a WOKC radio sponsorship for boat-and-fishing promotional segments, in addition to the board’s ongoing sponsorship of the local fishing show \"Hooked Up with Steve and Deb.\" The WOKC proposal will run fishing segments twice weekly for $112 per week and was approved as an additional local media buy.

Tourism staff reported second-quarter advertising expenditures of $13,167.72 on a mix of statewide, regional and international placements, including a Canada magazine package and digital buys. Tourism staff said advertising spend is currently in line with the budget and may be slightly under the allocated advertising line, leaving flexibility for other promotional spending.

Angela (surname not specified), tourism staff member, presented results from a pilot influencer campaign run through Sherpa that contracted the content creators \"Adventures in Atlanta.\" Staff said the Sherpa campaign produced multiple short-form reels and deliverables that generated notable engagement and said the $2,500 budget produced photos and videos the department can reuse for advertising and social media.

Council members discussed local media outreach and asked staff to pursue stronger pre-release contact with regional news outlets for major events. Staff said Bassmaster and similar event promoters often submit press materials directly and that the tourism office maintains a list of media contacts.

Action: The council approved the WOKC sponsorship and directed staff to proceed with the local media buy. Staff will incorporate Sherpa-delivered assets into future promotional campaigns.","The Tourist Development Council approved a WOKC fishing-segment sponsorship and reviewed quarter advertising spending and a Sherpa influencer campaign that produced social content for Okeechobee promotions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268802,"Okeechobee County TDC approves budget and new tourism and event facility manager, county to pay 20%",2177,303000,2480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049674-73ab7eb02eadbf49f5af6f56ca2ea370&start=303&end=2480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049674-73ab7eb02eadbf49f5af6f56ca2ea370/thumbnail_303000.jpg","/articles/6268802/Okeechobee-County/Florida/Okeechobee-County-TDC-approves-budget-and-new-tourism-and-event-facility-manager-county-to-pay-20","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268802-b406abbed2c246447402580e667b1535/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116691&Signature=daS8gNi298CriyKoZWegjJF~gnVVjFGYX3XK6H9G-WXyE87u7M64~predAnT6p0JEFA65YnSkeqaYlJJnueNei79MJqM5llVwwLNoYfQ752sO~5GHdPKllelaXeFsd~H4LuqlYG0xv-~m491fW-3NS7olneBPmxlefW~xkVBi7fIHjXEQlgk159NDGbAx86MVqXABBVbvStQMCx57e0K8fGQnk2LArIjb5CcykvQ3RiVOAVcvo6pOLpvuTMXYO-KcXwYBcmREv4EYcrqzWkee9qNxXhv9Kfn8qXoMJvkFA8CoDLJDs95ebBA6B9Z50V8LZXmolk8zQD8KvGwjvjqjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council on Tuesday approved a revised tourism budget and authorized creation of a tourism and event facility manager position, contingent on county-commissioner review, with the county general fund to pay 20% of the manager’s salary and the Tourist Development Fund paying the remaining 80%.

The vote followed a presentation from Denise Whitehead, the county’s tourism director, who reviewed current collections and proposed a reorganization that would move an Agri Civic Center manager position from the general fund into the tourism budget and add a full-time maintenance technician funded by tourism revenue. \"I will need the board to accept the budget as presented and to also accept this proposal because it will affect this year's budget,\" Whitehead said during the meeting.

Whitehead told the board the tourism fund is on track for roughly $505,000–$510,000 in revenue for the fiscal year and that she had submitted an initial budget that set salaries at $130,967, operating costs at about $326,095 and total budgeted tourism spending at roughly $457,061. She said the proposed manager salary range is $60,000–$91,000 (typical new hires would start near the low end) and that a replacement full-time maintenance technician would start around $37,000.

The council voted to accept the proposed budget as presented and then considered the staffing proposal. After discussion about whether the county should share the new manager’s cost, a board member moved an amendment that the county cover 20% of the manager’s salary and the Tourist Development Fund cover 80%. That amendment passed unanimously; the board then passed the main motion as amended. Whitehead said she will present the board’s action to the Board of County Commissioners, which must approve payroll-source changes before they take effect.

Board members questioned the timing because county commissioners are preparing a tight overall county budget. One commissioner present cautioned that pending state actions could reduce county revenues and urged caution before shifting more general-fund burdens. Whitehead said she could adjust operational promotional spending to accommodate the position if necessary and noted she had been actively recruiting for the vacant Agri Civic Center manager role without success.

Next steps: Whitehead will forward the amended staffing proposal to the Board of County Commissioners for final authorization. If the BOCC requests further review, the TDC will reconvene to consider any change.

Votes at a glance: The council voted unanimously to accept the budget as presented and unanimously approved the hiring plan as amended (county 20% / tourism 80%).","The Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council approved changes to its fiscal year budget and backed creation of a tourism and event facility manager position, with the county general fund to cover 20% of the new hire’s salary and tourism revenue covering the remainder.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Local volunteer thanks TDC for Flagler Park historic sign project

TDC pledges $30,000 host fee to bring Bassmaster College Series to Okeechobee in January 2026

Tourist board approves WOKC fishing sponsorship, hears report on influencer campaign and quarter advertising

Okeechobee County TDC approves budget and new tourism and event facility manager, county to pay 20%