BRADENTON – Manatee County commissioners have committed $5 million in Manatee County tourist tax funds to Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota County for marketing over the next five years.
Mote, which operates marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation facilities, an aquaculture facility, and conducts research into coral bleaching, red tide and other marine issues, previously requested $15 million to help build its planned Science Education Aquarium (SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park. However, Manatee County Attorney William Clague told commissioners at the time that Manatee County tourist tax proceeds can’t be used for construction projects outside the county, and commissioners declined the request, deciding to look for other ways to assist the organization.
The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) decided last month to recommend that county commissioners approve a reduced commitment of $1.25 million over 25 years, or $50,000 a year.
But county commissioners decided on Tuesday, Feb. 25 to raise that amount to $5 million, or $1 million a year for five years, earmarking the funds for marketing, not construction.
“I believe that right now we have an opportunity that we have not seen before and I’m not sure we’re going to see it again,” said County Commissioner and newly-appointed TDC Chair Misty Servia, who explained that she supports Mote as a means to improve water quality.
Reduced water quality could lead to reduced tourism, while improved water quality will support ecotourism, she said.
Commission Chair Betsy Benac agreed with Servia that supporting Mote is an “incredible opportunity.”
The board vote was unanimous in favor of the expenditure.
