Who serves on the Tourist Development Council?

• 29 August 2023

Florida Statute 125.0104 requires a nine-member Tourist Development Council and also states how the members are chosen. One member is from the County Commission. Two other elected officials also serve, one of whom must represent the most populous municipality in the county. Three members must be owners or operators of lodging facilities and must collect the tax. Three members must be involved in the tourist industry and have demonstrated a general interest in tourist development, but cannot be owners or operators of a lodging facility.

Equal representation should be accorded the greater St. Augustine area, the St. Augustine Beach/Crescent Beach area, and Ponte Vedra Beach when selecting lodging industry representatives for the board. The statute further provides for four-year terms. In 1990, the Tourist Development Council set policy that members may serve only one four-year term and the term’s expiration dates be extended from June 6 to September 30.

In the event the member is appointed chair, the member may serve up to six years. In the event a vacancy occurs, the Board of County Commissioners solicits resumes for appointment. Notification of openings will be provided by the Tourist Development Council to local tourism industry trade groups.