Manatee officials want to support Mote in Sarasota. $5 million will help them do it
Nearly a year after an initial request for funding assistance, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners agreed to fund Mote Marine with $5 million for the organization’s marketing outreach.
Commissioner Misty Servia, the newly appointed chairman of the Tourist Development Council, led a renewed effort to provide Mote with money that comes from tourism taxes. Supporting the aquarium and research facility — even though it’s based in Sarasota — has several benefits, she said, especially when it comes to the organization’s dedication to water quality issues.
“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,” Servia told the board. “This is really the X factor. Manatee County is in a position right now to do something meaningful.”
“Let’s use the tourism dollars to bring (tourists) here and correct water quality issues at the same time,” she continued. “I want to see scientists attracted here from all over the world. I want to do more than we’re doing now and save the state of Florida, because I believe we’re in trouble,” she continued.
Mote representatives first asked the board for a $15 million contribution toward the construction of their planned Science Education Aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park, which is expected to cost around $130 million, in March last year. Commissioners turned down that request and instead asked county staff to look for other possible sources of funding for the project.
At Tuesday’s meeting, county commissioners voted unanimously to approve $1 million in funding for Mote in each of the next five years. The TDC voted to recommend smaller payments of $50,000 a year for the next 20 years — a total of $1 million — at its Feb. 11 meeting.
Commissioner Priscilla Whisenant Trace pointed out that funding Mote would require the county to hold off on at least one of the several planned projects that are meant to attract more tourism, such as the expansion of the convention center, possible funding for the World Baseball Championships next year and $1 million toward a new conference space.
Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the convention center upgrades are the most important item on that list.
“If something had to be eliminated, it would be that extra event space,” Falcione said.
Revenue from the tourism tax, which is paid by tourists in Manatee County who use short-term rentals or hotels for their visit, have been up about 8 percent year after year since 2010. That accounts for an increase of about $1 million a year.
“We see that (the fund) is growing. The TDC can certainly afford it, and it doesn’t interfere with Elliott’s prized projects,” said Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.
The money Mote is set to receive can only be used for one strict purpose, said Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague. Tourism taxes may not be used to pay for construction outside of county limits, but the funds can be used to promote tourism in Manatee County.
CEO Michael Crosby told the TDC earlier this month that Mote would use the funds for marketing and program outreach at the City Island Aquarium, and when the SEA facility opens, the money could help provide “significant visibility for Manatee.”
An example might be an exhibit at Mote Marine that somehow promotes tourism in Manatee County.
“This new level of partnership with Manatee County will be a real game-changer in how we work together,” Crosby said in a statement released Wednesday. “By having their unanimous support, they’ve made it clear their commitment to both our aquarium’s success and growth, and the growth of our far-reaching research enterprise that is based on City Island.”
The county’s decision to give $5 million to Mote is similar to previous efforts to fund World Championship Rowing at Nathan Benderson Park, said Commissioner Betsy Benac.
“This county went in on a dream of rowing and actively sought the ability to have the rowing championship,” she said. “We’ve got to go in on dreams sometimes. We’ve seen the dream and it’s pretty cool.”
“Making Mote the place that’s going to solve our water quality problems — I’m all in on that dream,” Benac added.
The county is planning a March 17 work session to discuss other planned expenditures for tourism taxes.
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 4:25 PM.
