Flagler tourism council approves most FY‑20 grant requests, debates new scoring, denies several repeat awards

The Flagler County Tourist Development Council on July 18 approved a slate of FY‑20 grant requests for regional drive‑market and overnight‑stay events, while members pressed staff to add a scoring system and limits on repeat awards after criticizing application quality and applicant sustainability.

Council members approved most of the overnight‑stay applications that presented verified hotel room blocks and denied or voted down several regional drive‑market requests where members worried the subsidy unduly supported for‑profit businesses or long‑running events. Amy (TDC staff) told the council the regional drive‑market pot for FY‑20 is $22,500 and overnight‑stay funding is $75,000; staff also noted the board’s budget had not yet been approved by the clerk and commission.

The action matters because the grants are meant to steer visitors into “heads and beds” and produce a measurable return to local lodging and restaurant revenue. Council members repeatedly said they want clearer evidence of overnight stays or a plan by applicants to graduate from drive‑market subsidy to self‑sustaining overnight events.

Amy summarized the program and application standards at the start of the grant review. “There is currently not a vetting process for staff to bring to you,” she told the council, and she proposed staff would present a point‑scoring rubric and a recommended three‑year transition policy during the TDC strategic planning process in September. Chair and members supported adding a “significant deduction” in scores for events that have repeatedly requested funds year after year.

On votes: the council denied the Flagler Broadcasting “Hot & Spicy” request by a 4–4 tie after debate over whether a for‑profit broadcaster’s donated advertising constituted a public benefit; it approved Flagler Beach Historical Museum “Cheer at the Pier” (motion passed 7–1); approved the Ocean’s 50 relay (passed 5–2 with 1 abstention); approved Friends of A1A’s Spoonbills & Sprockets cycling tour; and approved education and sport events that demonstrated verifiable room blocks or broader economic impact. Several applications were withdrawn or returned funds when applicants later cancelled events.

Council members stressed post‑event verification. Amy said overnight grants are reimbursable: “They have to come back to us and prove how they spent the money,” and verified room nights must be submitted before payment to the clerk. Staff reiterated that applicants are required to meet with TDC staff within 60 days after their events and provide cancelled checks and back‑up for advertising expenses.

Several applicants described their local economic contributions during the hearing: David Ayers of Flagler Broadcasting said his station donates radio ad time and that gate revenue for Hot & Spicy goes to the Florida Agricultural Museum; Carrie Ming described the Ocean’s 50 relay as a largely self‑funded community event that nonetheless draws out‑of‑county participants; and Walter Ennis of Continuing Education said his recurring medical conferences bring doctors and families who spend multiple nights in county hotels.

The council also recorded two process updates: three previously approved grants were returned to fund balances after applicants cancelled or did not seek reimbursement, and staff said they will present a formal point‑rating rubric and recommended term limits for drive‑market support during strategic planning.

Less urgent items handled at the meeting included routine minutes and financial reports, and a number of smaller grants that drew brief discussion about sustainability and measurable ROI. The council scheduled follow‑up reporting and said staff would return with draft scoring language and an implementation timeline ahead of the September strategic planning session.

A full roll call of motions, individual vote tallies and next steps appears below.