Okeechobee County TDC reports $497,720.29 in tourism tax revenue; accepts consent agenda

The Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council met and received its fiscal-year-end tourism revenue report and routine budget and promotional updates. Chair (name not specified) told the meeting that “tourism revenue was $497,720.29,” and members accepted the consent agenda and closed public comment by voice vote.

The council was told the $497,720.29 figure represents taxes collected on short-term rentals and similar lodging and that those collections are the TDC’s sole operating revenue. “This department is completely funded by this tourism revenue tax,” Angela (tourism coordinator) said, explaining the figure supports marketing, staff salaries and other department expenses.

The report noted the 2023–24 total was lower than the prior year’s COVID rebound level but “right around exactly where we expected it to be.” Angela explained Okeechobee’s tourism tax is remitted through the Florida Department of Revenue, which delays reporting by roughly two to three months; she said some counties instead use a local tax collector but Okeechobee currently relies on the state.

Board members reviewed first-quarter advertising spending of $25,446.72; larger annual expenses (for example, the Camp Florida annual guide and a four-page chamber insert) contributed to that early-quarter total. The council also reviewed promotional reimbursements totaling about $15,000 for three events: Double K Rodeo, Cracker Boys Bass Tournament and the Battle of the Lake football tournament. The Battle of the Lake’s attendance numbers showed a discrepancy: the events promoter and one report cited about 2,000 attendees while a DataFi output listed 1,300 travelers; Angela said she had adjusted distance parameters and used DataFi to estimate lodging-related visitor stays.

Members heard updates on upcoming outreach and partnership efforts. Staff said they will attend travel shows in New York (in roughly two weeks) and Washington, D.C., in March, and will participate in Florida’s Rural Counties Days in Tallahassee (March 19–21). The office plans Bass Bash and Bassmaster Elite events in March; Bassmaster is providing two ambassador (formerly marshal) slots for local hosts. Staff also described a new influencer campaign arranged through Sherpa: the TDC paid a little over $3,000 to bring a family influencer to town during field days; staff called Sherpa-vetted influencers a new way to reach different demographics.

The council discussed its long-running sponsorship of the fishing program “Hooked Up with Steve and Deb,” which has moved from radio to a YouTube channel; staff reported rising viewership and said they will continue to evaluate that sponsorship.

Members raised signage and outreach questions. One member urged pursuing county entry/monument signs and a public events display in downtown Okeechobee; staff noted the TDC has a healthy reserve and said sign rehab or new signage could be considered in the next budget. Staff also pointed to a Visit Okeechobee app and an events calendar that allows public submissions; a QR card distributed at the meeting links to the mobile app.

Board members reached a consensus to request meeting security/bailiff presence at future meetings held in this room so elected officials and staff have on-site protection consistent with other county meetings. No formal ordinance or budget commitment was made at the session.

The council set its next meeting for April 16 at 9 a.m. in the same room.