Council hears request for PGA economic-impact study but takes no vote

The Walton County Tourist Development Council discussed a request from Commissioner Drake to consider an economic-impact study tied to a proposed PGA event or related golf tournament.

Staff reported they had spoken with Tourism Economics (Oxford Economics / Tourism Economics) and that the firm is able to produce an executive-level economic-impact summary. Staff said the BCC (Board of County Commissioners) will consider funding and other event details at a future meeting and that the study would examine countywide impacts rather than a single proposed site.

Council members raised several substantive points: they asked whether potential co-sponsors (for example, Sandestin or Saint Joe) would participate; whether costs and branding would create competition with PGA sponsorship sales; and whether the Board of County Commissioners would be able to make a funding decision without more event specifics (site, timing, co-sponsorship). One council member suggested the council should require the economic-impact study to be presented to the TDC prior to any BCC vote because the TDC's funding would be at stake.

Outcome: staff characterized the presentation as informational; the TDC did not vote to commission the study during the meeting. Council members asked staff to coordinate further conversations with potential cosponsors and to share additional information prior to the BCC consideration.

Ending: No formal motion was approved to fund an economic-impact study at this meeting.