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 in June–August when local fields are now shut down for renovation: “When you have natural grass, you wanna make sure that the fields can withstand 3 to 4 months of play.”

Bob Moreno and Alessandro Martin, representing FC Naples, said demand for more fields is high and that additional fields would increase family and youth participation. Adrian Moses, general manager for Sports Facilities Companies (the park operator), said his operator reduced an operating deficit to a projected surplus and that adding baseball/softball fields and an eventual field house could increase summer room nights and overall facility revenue; he told the commissioners he would provide letters from tournament operators supporting the need.

Chris Lopez, representing the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) Collier chapter, said his organization would review the plan and could consider supporting a ballot effort: “We are absolutely here, to support … finalizing the build out of what is already an immensely impressive complex and can only get better.” Jay Tusa, the county tourism director, provided seasonality data showing much lower average daily rate and room nights in June–August versus peak months and said boosting summer sports tourism would raise summer occupancy.

Commissioners asked for more information on total project cost, long‑term operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, impacts on hotels and other anticipated room‑night generation. Commissioner Kevin McDaniel emphasized the need for clear cost, O&M and funding information and suggested pursuing federal/state grants and philanthropic contributions alongside any tourist tax proposal.

No formal vote to raise the tourist development tax was taken. The board signaled general consensus to continue studying the idea and directed staff to collect detailed cost, revenue and impact analyses and to meet with stakeholders; commissioners were asked to submit specific questions for staff follow‑up. Saunders said her intent is to return with a motion in the fall for staff to prepare ballot language for a referendum if the board decides to proceed.

Supporters in the room and at the podium stressed that a one‑cent increase—many commissioners were given a projection that a sixth penny would generate roughly $9.7 million a year if in place now—would be borne primarily by visitors rather than local ad valorem taxpayers but emphasized the need for a clear public education campaign outside of county‑funded promotion (which state law would prohibit).