Purpose

Make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for the effective operation of the special projects or uses of the tourist development tax revenue. Continuously review all expenditures of revenue from the Tourist Development Trust Fund to insure compliance with Section 125.0104, Florida Statutes.

Created By

Broward County Resolution, adopted November 8, 1977, indicating the County’s intention to consider the enactment of an ordinance to levy and impose a tourist development tax.

Section 125.0104, Florida Statutes, Local Option Tourist Development Act, prescribes that no ordinance enacted by any county levying the tax authorized thereunder shall take effect until approval of the referendum by the majority of the electors.

Broward County Ordinance #78-43, enacted September 20, 1978, never became effective due to the defeat of the proposed tourist development tax at the general election in 1978.

Broward County Resolution, adopted May 27, 1980, indicated the intent of the Board of County Commissioners to consider the enactment of a subsequent ordinance levying and imposing a tourist development tax; establishing and appointing the initial members of the Broward County Tourist Development Council so the Council may prepare and submit the tourist development plan to the Board of County Commissioners

The Tourist Development Council submitted its plan for tourist development and other recommendations on July 31, 1980.

Broward County Ordinance #80-70, enacted September 9, 1980, authorizing the Board of County Commissioners to levy and impose a two percent (2%) tourist development tax throughout Broward County beginning December 1, 1980; establishing the Broward County Tourist Development Council; providing for a referendum election to be held at the next regular election and placing the question of the approval or disapproval on the ballot.

Amended by Ordinance #81-61, enacted June 18, 1981, providing that the Port Everglades Authority may designate one of its members to serve on the Council in an ex officio, non-voting capacity.

Amended by Ordinance #83-32, enacted June 16, 1983, providing for an annual plan and budget for the expenditure of the Tourist Development Tax.

Amended by Ordinance #87-7, enacted March 10, 1987, relating to the Chair of the Council; revising membership classifications; revising qualifications for membership.

Amended by Ordinance #93-35, enacted October 12, 1993, relating to the Chair of the Council; providing that the Port Everglades Authority member shall not serve after November 21, 1994.

Amended by Ordinance #2009-66, enacted September 22, 2009, pursuant to Section 125.0104, Florida Statutes and Section 1 of Chapter 2009-259, Laws of Florida, effective June 16, 2009, authorizing the Broward County Commission to expand the membership from nine (9) to eleven (11) members. In appointing the two (2) additional members, the Commission shall endeavor to appoint one (1) minority person involved in the tourist industry who has demonstrated an interest in tourist development and appoint one (1) person from an area with a multipurpose county regional park capable of hosting local, national, and international sports championship events.

Membership

Eleven (11) members.

(A) The Mayor of the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County or any other member of the board as designated by the Mayor, shall serve on the Council.

(B) The remaining ten (10) members shall be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and shall have the following representative classification:

(1) Two (2) members who are elected municipal officials, one of whom shall be appointed from the most populous municipality in the County.

(2) Six (6) members who are involved in the tourist industry and who have demonstrated an interest in tourist development, of which not less than three (3) nor more than four (4) members, shall be owners or operators of motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks, or other tourist accommodations in the county and subject to the tourist development tax.

(3) One (1) member who is a minority person involved in the tourist industry who has demonstrated an interest in tourist development.

(4) One (1) member who shall be from an area with a multi-purpose county regional park capable of hosting local, national and international sports championship events.

All members shall be electors of Broward County.

In appointing members of the council, the Board of County Commissioners may consider and balance its appointments to reflect the diverse demographic and geographic representation within Broward County.

The Mayor of Broward County shall have the option of designating the Chair of the Tourist Development Council or allowing the Council to elect a Chair.

Qualifications of membership must be demonstrated annually on or before October 1 of each year by each member of the council.

Terms

Four (4) years, with the exception of the member of the Board of County Commissioners.

Members of the Council may be reappointed, provided they continue to meet the qualifications of membership.

Vacancies, not occurring by expiration of terms, shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.

The board may remove any member of the council for cause or if said member ceases to meet the qualifications of membership.

Attorney

Nathaniel Klitsberg, Senior Assistant County Attorney
954-357-7600.

Coordinator

Stacy Ritter, President
Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau 
 954-765-4466

Assistant

Rita Wells, Partner Relations Manager   
 954-767-2483    

Meetings

Quarterly, Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
101 NE Third Avenue, Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Financial Disclosure not required.

Updated 09/11/2020