Hillsborough County tourist-tax receipts climb; council approves quarterly financial and activity reports

The Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council on Feb. 13 accepted its quarterly financial and activity reports after hearing that hotel-tax collections and hotel performance were markedly higher than a year earlier.

The reports, presented during the council's quarterly meeting, showed double- and triple-digit month-over-month increases for the early months of the county's fiscal year and confirmed a board-approved allocation of $6,000,000 to Visit Tampa Bay and $272,000 for film incentives. The council voted unanimously to approve meeting minutes and to accept the financial and activity reports.

Mr. Barton, a Hillsborough County staff member presenting the financial statement, told the council that October collections were 3.8% higher than the prior year, November about 28% higher, December almost 36% higher and January about 30% higher. "Being the first quarter, obviously not a lot to talk about," Barton said, noting the board had already added two items to the budget: the Visit Tampa Bay allocation of $6,000,000 and $272,000 for film incentives.

Barton said the 6¢ share of the tourist…