Tourism council reviews event grant requests; items forwarded to county commissioners without recommendation

The Flagler County Tourist Development Council reviewed multiple discretionary and reimbursable special‑event marketing grant applications on Aug. 12 and, because the panel lacked quorum, agreed to forward the items to the Board of County Commissioners without a recommendation.

Staff summarized the funding requests. Item 4A‑1 sought $5,000 from discretionary funds for the National Christian College Athletic Association golf tournament at Hammock Beach Resort; staff said the event expects about 90 participants, 40 coaches and 250 spectators and an estimated 224 room nights. Item 4A‑2 was a discretionary request related to an October adult flag‑football tournament organized by Norm McLean of UFFFL. Under the council's special event marketing (reimbursable) grant category, the Flagler Auditorium Governing Board requested $15,000 toward a season marketing budget; Amelia Fulmer said the board sold about 23,000 tickets last year and uses marketing to draw regional visitors. The City of Palm Coast Parks & Recreation requested assistance for a USTA tennis tournament; Dennis Redican, recreation manager, said the event has hosted players from 21 countries and is benefiting from new courts at the Southern Recreation Center.

Because the council did not have a quorum, members confirmed the items are "time sensitive" and will be sent to the Board of County Commissioners for decision without a TDC recommendation. Council staff indicated the grants are reimbursable and that applicants must meet reporting requirements if awarded.

The council did not vote to approve or deny funding at the Aug. 12 meeting. The items will appear on the commissioners' agenda for action by the Board of County Commissioners.