Tourist board approves $12,000 for Olustee Battlefield advertising

Baker County’s Tourist Development Council voted to approve a $12,000 funding request for the Olustee Battlefield citizen support organization to support advertising for its event. The board’s chair described the request as targeting print, internet, radio, signage and shopping-center placements.

The motion to approve the $12,000 came from "mister Hartley" and was seconded by "mister Langford." After a brief call for discussion, the chair took a voice vote and announced, “Motion carried unanimously.” The board did not record individual roll-call votes during the meeting.

Board members framed the payment as part of the council’s annual allocation process and discussed setting clearer annual budget parameters for future requests. Staff and members said the council’s consultant, John, has circulated an updated tourism plan and will present a final version at the group’s next meeting so the board can consider budget numbers and application parameters before forwarding recommendations to the county commission.

Unidentified Speaker 1 (Chair) summarized the grant’s intended uses: “The $12,000 [is] mainly for the advertising piece, print, Internet, radio, signage, and shopping centers.” Members also noted that reimbursement should be supported by receipts that reflect advertising expenses.

Next steps: the board approved the request at the meeting and expects submitted documentation (receipts and application materials) to accompany the county commission presentation, which is the subsequent approval step for funding allocated by the Tourist Development Council.