§ 3.20.240. Disposition of lodging tax proceeds.

(A)

There is created a special dedicated fund within the City budget to be known as the Beautification and Tourism Development Fund (BTD Fund) into which shall be placed all proceeds of the lodging tax, including related fines, penalties and interest. A percentage of the revenue from the BTD Fund, as established by resolution, shall be expended for:

(1)

City beautification: enhancement of vehicular and pedestrian routes; acquisition and construction of new cultural and tourist related facilities, including parking; and

(2)

Tourist development: promotion and advertising of the City's cultural and tourist related activities, events and services.

The City's Transient Lodging Tax Committee shall use the criteria established by Council resolution to recommend the making of grants for the above purposes by the Council from the BTD Fund.

(B)

Percentages of the revenue collected under this chapter, as established by resolution, shall be used for:

(1)

City administrative expenses;

(2)

The operation and maintenance of the Visitor's Information Center;

(3)

Deposited into a dedicated fund of the City of Jacksonville for park/parking funds; and

(4)

The remaining percentage would be retained by the lodging provider of the lodging facility.

(C)

Where transient lodging taxes are collected by a lodging provider, the City and the lodging provider(s) may agree, under separate contract, to contribute a mutually agreed-upon amount, up to their respective five percent of funds collected each year, to a discrete fund for the purpose of marketing the City of Jacksonville as a whole in order to maximize the number of overnight stays. These agreed upon contributions would continue until such time that either one of the parties provides notice of withdrawal. This section is not applicable in the event the taxes are collected by a lodging intermediary.

(Ord. No. O2019-001, § 1 (Exh. A), 3-19-2019)