Collier commissioners discuss adding sixth penny tourist tax to finish Paradise Coast Park; no vote taken

Commissioner Penny Saunders brought the Collier County Board of County Commissioners a proposal to explore adding a sixth penny to the county tourist development tax to help finish Paradise Coast Park.

Saunders said she was not asking the board to vote on a tax increase that day but wanted discussion of “what I think, would need to be done if the board moves in the direction to complete that park.” She described cost overruns and supply‑chain problems that left the sports complex incomplete and said local tourism leaders told her they would evaluate a TDT increase to fund additional fields and a field house.

The pitch drew presentations from sports and tourism stakeholders. James Hanrahan, interim director for parks and recreation, described seasonal field closures for grass diamonds and said artificial turf would allow play…