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Tourism plan calls for bed tax increase to pay for projects

 
Pasco’s plan to boost tourism calls for $1.25 million for so-called wayfinding signs and other amenities targeting bicyclists and pedestrians using county trails. [Douglas R. Clifford, Times 2013]
Pasco’s plan to boost tourism calls for $1.25 million for so-called wayfinding signs and other amenities targeting bicyclists and pedestrians using county trails. [Douglas R. Clifford, Times 2013]
Published Sept. 28, 2016

NEW PORT RICHEY — Pasco's three-year strategy for boosting tourism includes proposed increases in the bed tax and a capital project list focusing attention on bicycle trails.

Inclusion in the strategic plan, however, does not guarantee those ideas will become reality. Past commissions have approved the state-required tourism plans, only to later balk at increasing the 2 percent tourist tax on overnight accommodations.

On Tuesday, by a 4-1 vote, commissioners adopted the tourism plan after no one commented during a public hearing. Commissioner Jack Mariano cast the dissenting vote, repeating his earlier criticism that the capital project list was too heavy on bicycle-related spending.

The proposed project list includes $1 million for gateway signs welcoming visitors to the county, $1.25 million for so-called wayfinding signs and other amenities targeting bicyclists and pedestrians using county trails, and $250,000 for a cyclist-friendly visitor center. The most expensive project is $8.5 million set aside for a proposed multipurpose indoor sports center within the Wiregrass Ranch development.

Mariano questioned the spending and the perceived benefits of signs attracting overnight visitors to Pasco. However, he toned down his rhetoric from Sept. 13, when he said, "I'm disgusted with this whole plan'' for its escalating overhead costs and a project list that did not include money for beach restoration.

The tourism development plan through 2020 proposes increasing the tourist tax each of the next three years until it reaches 5 percent in the 2019-20 fiscal year. If approved by a super-majority of the County Commission, the increase would provide nearly $3 million annually in tourist tax revenue, including $2.3 million for marketing, promotions and construction of future capital projects.