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Executive Director reports mixed tax receipts, project updates and upcoming events
Summary
The Executive Director reported sales tax up slightly from January 2024, occupancy tax down for January, building permit activity for February, ongoing work to restore a causeway traffic counter with TxDOT, and updates on the Birding and Nature Center and Art Business Incubator.
The Executive Director presented monthly economic indicators and project updates to the South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation, reporting mixed revenue trends and several operational items the board directed staff to monitor.
The director said January sales tax receipts were up 0.88% compared with January 2024 and that January is typically the lowest month for sales and occupancy tax collections. Occupancy tax was reported as down about 0.88% from January 2024. The director reported building permit activity for February totaled $3,479,711, with major permits including a home on Laguna Circle North, a home in The Shores and a residential building on East Lantana.
The director said property-tax receipts for the reporting period were slightly higher than 2024 but did not present a single consolidated figure in the meeting; staff packet materials contain detailed financials. The board asked that future packets emphasize balance sheets and profit-and-loss statements rather than all supporting pages, and staff agreed to adjust packet formatting.
Staff updated the board on the causeway traffic counter. The director said TxDOT’s counter has been nonfunctional and that a TxDOT community-outreach contact, Ray Pedraza, has been asked to assist; TxDOT had advised the counter would remain down for at least a year after repairs removed the unit and it was not reinstalled. The director said she had submitted a public information request to TxDOT and would continue to press for restoration of counts.
At the Birding and Nature Center, the director said admissions and revenues were down for February and the manager was asked to reduce some expenses. The Art Business Incubator’s board approved a sales/business plan for a new gallery; staff said two artists are being interviewed and the incubator’s fundraising event, "Ara, the Art of Feeling," is scheduled for April 26. Staff also reported the red-brick building façade project is back in motion after owner interest and that façade-grant applications are expected at the April meeting.
Staff noted the next EDC meeting is scheduled for the 15th of the month (an earlier calendar date than usual) and reminded the board about timing challenges for closing monthly revenue reports.
Board members asked that staff continue outreach to TxDOT on the causeway counter, refine packet financials to the requested format, and return with updates on Birding and Nature Center finances and façade grant bids.
