Commissioners approve $100,000 toward Avon Park baseball museum; TDC preferred funding source

The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 19 to provide a $100,000 one-time contribution to the Avon Park Baseball Museum project, with direction that the county pursue Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funding first and use general revenue only if TDT cannot cover the full contribution.

Project organizers told the board they have raised more than $250,000 from private donors and that the City of Avon Park approved a $100,000 contribution. Committee members asked the county to help close a remaining fundraising gap to finish the museum expansion; organizers said they still plan additional fundraising and grant applications.

At the meeting, several community members and local officials described the museum's perceived tourism and downtown economic benefits. Bill Jarrett, a member of the museum's organizing committee, told commissioners the committee would continue fundraising but said county support would be a symbolic vote of confidence. "We will raise that money," Jarrett said of the remaining private fundraising needs, and asked the board to consider county support to reach the finish line.

Commissioners discussed funding options and asked staff to investigate whether TDT funds could be used for the project. Commissioner Scott proposed a matching approach during debate; the final motion authorized a payment of $100,000 "from any legally available source with preference for the use of tourist development taxes and to the extent not possible, the general revenue of the county." The motion passed without recorded opposition.

What the county required: staff said that use of TDT funds requires a recommendation from the Tourist Development Council and explained that if the TDC approves a lesser amount, the board could direct remaining funding from general revenue. County legal staff said the commission could approve the contingency if legally permissible; staff said they would prepare any required agreements for future action.

The board moved the museum presentation from the recognition section to the action agenda and took the final vote at the meeting on Aug. 19. Organizers said they would continue private fundraising and pursue grants and corporate sponsorships.

Vote: motion to authorize payment of $100,000 to Avon Park Historical Society (or museum project) with funding preference for TDT and fallback to general fund — approved unanimously (5–0).