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Tax collector reports $14.6M returned to county; tourism director says destination remains resilient
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Summary
Tax Collector Rob Stoneburner told commissioners his office’s unspent revenue for the county is about $14.624 million this year and that since 2021 the tax collector has returned roughly $56 million to the Board of County Commissioners. Tourism Director Jay Tusa reported TDT collections of $48 million through August and said visitor spending and hotel metrics remain strong despite softening international travel.
Rob Stoneburner, Collier County tax collector, presented a check presentation to the board and reported that unspent revenue attributable to the board for 2025 totals about $14,624,000. He said his office has completed nearly 1,000,000 transactions last year across driver licensing, vehicle registration and other services and that "since 2021... $56,000,000 have been returned to the Board of County Commissioners and over $66,000,000 overall to all the taxing authorities."
Jay Tusa, director of tourism, delivered the quarterly tourism update through August 2025. Tusa reported transient lodging demand and spending remained strong: TDT collections totaled about $48,000,000 (up 3% year over year), average daily rate (ADR) averaged $331.77 and Collier County welcomed just over 2.6 million visitors who generated an estimated $2.8 billion in direct spending through August. He told the board a $5,000,000 supplemental marketing investment helped open new feeder markets and that hotel occupancy held above many competing markets.
Tusa also addressed sports tourism, noting the Paradise Coast Sports Complex generated $56.9 million in economic impact from 33 qualified events last year and that the facility now ranks among the top venues statewide for visitation. Commissioners asked for follow-up detail on how the $5,000,000 supplemental marketing funds were spent and requested a clearer 'report card' on measurable outcomes for future quarterly briefings; Tusa agreed to include that information at the next update.
Separately, the board voted to authorize acquisition of three lots at 1756 and 1742 Danford Street for $860,000 to support the Bayview Park expansion; staff said the recommended price is 12.5% above appraised value but aligned with recent developer payments and the motion passed unanimously.
