[0:18] >> All right. Good morning, everybody. Like to welcome you

[0:19] to. September meeting of the Okeechobee County Tourist

[0:24] Development Council. Let's start starter meeting with

[0:31] salute to the flag. pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[0:42] United States of America and to the Republic for which it

[0:43] stands. >> One nation under God,

[0:46] indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I just I

[0:58] would like to open the for for public comment. Second call

[1:04] for public comment. The chair entertain a motion to close

[1:09] public comment. make sure >> Are second on a second. All

[1:17] in favor signify by saying Aye, aye.

[1:20] >> No Like sign. Motion passes. See, we have a

[1:29] revision to the agenda. Yes, sir. We have a revision to the

[1:32] agenda for the 26 27 show. Bulls host funding application

[1:35] microphone. Please. >> Isn't on his on. The 26 27

[1:45] Toby Bulls, host funding application for item 7 him.

[1:53] Okay. >> The chair entertain a

[1:58] motion to accept the agenda as amended. Any discussion. All

[2:06] in favor signify by saying Aye, aye opposed nay. Motion

[2:09] passes. Next item is the consent agenda. Chair would

[2:19] entertain a motion to accept the consent agenda. So Favor

[2:24] signify by saying Aye Opposed nay. Motion passes. Now, if

[2:30] you're too, are. Regular agenda.

[2:35] >> Are you here for the chili bowls? What's going start with

[2:38] that? Because he's we're it's okay. Sure. If you would like.

[2:42] All right. We'll so city of Sydney. Evan, you have to sit

[2:46] here through the meeting. We'll let you get on with your

[2:50] life just restate it. Okay, sir. Just to say your name and

[2:54] address for the record, please.

[2:56] >> for With We move. You said, Daryn, parents, Karen O S are

[3:09] just want to say appreciate Joe for the last past 2 years.

[3:13] >> Spawn son the event and the vent getting bigger and come

[3:18] from, you know, we have support. I don't think can get

[3:25] that But I appreciate you and the board. Appreciate Joe. The

[3:30] aid of it in July. It was like 53 teens. Some Florida City.

[3:40] Florida City to And the one in December. We got that out of

[3:45] state teams coming from Georgia. This We want to host

[3:51] it on the 4th. The 5th and 6th the summer. What I like to do

[3:57] they do. October November. Can we come out and take pitches

[4:04] shows that we can put you the fly? if it wasn't for yo, this

[4:10] of it wouldn't go through. Appreciate Joe.

[4:17] >> We pray we appreciate you. And I'm sure this is something

[4:19] for the youth and always. Good fun. Thanks for the used to do

[4:23] that. You keep on going in a positive direction and keep

[4:27] little their little hands busy. So. You know, we

[4:28] appreciate all all the adults that put this on and work so

[4:33] hard to to to bring these to bring these types events

[4:37] fruition. We know it's a lot of hardworking. thankless

[4:40] hours and blood, sweat and tears. You said this is the

[4:48] second year. >> I think its 33rd year. him

[4:50] to be the 3rd. >> I did prepare revision to

[4:55] the agenda with some background information and

[4:58] applications summary. So this tournament will be a two-day

[5:01] event expecting to draw significant attendance. This

[5:03] year's tournament expected to attract more than 40 youth

[5:07] football teams from throughout the state of Florida.

[5:09] Happening coaches, players, families and supporters. The

[5:12] continued growth of this tournament provides an

[5:13] excellent opportunity to establish Okeechobee as a

[5:15] premier destination for youth sports tourism. In addition to

[5:20] promoting youth athletics, sportsmanship, teamwork and

[5:23] healthy competition. This event brings visitors directly

[5:25] into our community and showcases Okeechobee as a

[5:28] welcoming destination for families and sporting events.

[5:32] Their application outlined an estimate more than 1000

[5:34] attendees using at least 50 to 100 local hotel rooms. The

[5:38] chili bowls battle of the Lake football tournament will be

[5:39] held at the Okeechobee County sports complex and soccer

[5:43] fields December 4th through the 6th 2026, the application

[5:46] can be requested by contacting the TC they tdc hosted this

[5:50] event last year in the amount of $7,000 this year. Their

[5:55] application is for $10,000 based on our rubric. And that

[6:00] did suggest a $5,000. Funding fee. Is there any questions?

[6:10] Parents? Yes, sir. >> Ufa increased. Your I'm

[6:17] sorry, request your request. From 7,000 to 10,000 year.

[6:23] >> Reason >> The referee fees. The

[6:30] referee fees they don't want like sit in the finals per

[6:32] person. July. We had it in July. Just that one game

[6:46] almost like 55 and evolve. That one day. As we've gone,

[6:52] so feels. so on. And then it Lee. He's the one. He's he's

[7:01] with us just in. And he was like, yeah, struggling. is it

[7:07] not struggling? Just more money. If they give it to you

[7:09] give it to you, if not, does go what? the teams pay an

[7:16] entry fee as well. Yes, not to get in. Not to get in. nobody

[7:23] in the in the event to me like and might a parent.

[7:25] >> Pay $10. >> To get into the earth to

[7:31] attempt to walk in yes, but they do pay to participate in

[7:33] the tournament. No, entry Okay. no.

[7:37] >> Can I ask the question? Is the funding suggestion per day

[7:40] or for total? It's for total turtle. Okay.

[7:46] >> Is there a prize money for the winning team?

[7:48] >> No, they get they get rains and trophies. in the people it

[7:57] might get of the debate. It's battle of leak.

[8:04] >> And this is multiple age groups. Yes, from sunlight. 6.

[8:09] 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 14 0 K well,

[8:15] >> It does bring a lot of people on this is one of you

[8:19] know, brings a lot of people that could show be and we

[8:22] haven't had this before. I not about the sporting events

[8:26] because we don't get a lot of requests for sporting

[8:28] tournaments, baseball tournaments. You guys are the

[8:31] only ones. I think You don't have the fields. We don't have

[8:35] the fields available to do like a baseball tournament or

[8:38] softball tournament. But we do for football and soccer. We

[8:43] could. We could host a soccer tournament because of the

[8:46] fields. >> And fishing fishing for

[8:47] fishing. >> you see a lot of activity.

[8:52] Sure hotel where? This is not rely. Most of them probably.

[8:58] If they do stay, they'll probably stay at a Holiday Inn

[9:00] are Hampton where >> family would come get free

[9:03] breakfasts and all that. The smaller hotels don't benefit

[9:08] much but obviously it's been I look at as a value as an

[9:12] attraction where your market in the town. So, you know.

[9:17] >> Just cares if it created overnight stays or not. I'm

[9:20] not much for us. And when we're saying is 50 rooms,

[9:22] that's not that match overall. When you spread it for

[9:26] everybody, pride might get 4, 5,

[9:29] >> When you do your marketing, do guys suggest hotels or

[9:34] blocks rooms We did one yet Hampton and I think.

[9:39] >> What what tell you? >> Where we've got the

[9:44] scattered shuns, but a lot of the smaller hotels on track

[9:46] them. It's just I remember even when I travel with my

[9:49] kids, teams recommend where to stay. And so for an Israeli,

[9:54] pickle tells where, you know, that has a full breakfast and

[9:58] everything This with the family would have a little bit

[10:00] less burden and spending money. So I know they use

[10:06] released at Hampton Inn apple. Applebee's right it is.

[10:12] >> Yeah. >> I would also like to say

[10:14] Angela has been doing a lot of studying with our place or

[10:16] reports and she's able to actually pull hotel report per

[10:18] event, which has been extremely helpful. So the top

[10:22] 3 hotels that we have for this event was the Hampton Inn in

[10:25] Okeechobee days. And in Okeechobee, the Holiday Inn

[10:29] Express in Okeechobee. And then we do have the Seminole

[10:32] Brighton Bay Hotel on here. Other than that, it looks like

[10:34] they're staying either for Pierce Orlando. Kind of

[10:39] calling you to let him know. We have a lot rooms available.

[10:42] >> You know, so that they stay here. come but.

[10:48] >> So one of the recommendation we always make

[10:50] is the whole idea of funding giving grants is to help

[10:53] improve the economy Okeechobee right? So if we're helping you

[10:58] fun and providing grand, we also would like where you

[11:01] would advertise to stay in Okeechobee so that's what it

[11:05] is. But based on this and based on a lot of other

[11:09] request that we have this year, we have made cuts as

[11:11] well. I would motion for the same amount of was awarded

[11:14] last year, which was $7,000. And, you next year can go up

[11:20] and down. But this year we're constrained by budgets. That's

[11:23] what I would motion for. >> second? All right, properly

[11:30] moved and seconded that the tourist Development Council.

[11:37] >> Fund the 26 27 to be bulls, host funding application and

[11:40] the amount of $7,000. Snowden for discussion.

[11:48] >> I just would like to I know, say again, this brings a

[11:52] lot of people and a be and I think we're looking for events

[11:54] like this that are bringing this Torsten and next time

[11:57] they may stay more. We might have more hotel rooms to share

[12:01] because they realize there's a lot of places to stay and its

[12:06] new. You know, I think it's newer and I'm glad to see the

[12:10] sporting events. I would hate for them not to have the money

[12:13] they need for the referees. And that's my only, you know,

[12:17] I'd rather cut some more from people. We've been funding for

[12:21] years and years and years. So Milan comment.

[12:26] >> It just to let you know, parents because of budget

[12:29] constraints and things going. We have been. We have been

[12:32] cutting. So you kind of a only on the upper end because

[12:35] you've got the same. And I appreciate you so which kind

[12:41] of should signify to you how important this is to. The

[12:46] tourist Development Council and the community, your event.

[12:48] So we appreciate you. Book putting this bill putting this

[12:54] on and spearheading this it come into our meeting and what

[12:57] most people don't come to our meeting and and let us know

[13:00] what's going on and gives us a lot more information to go on.

[13:04] So appreciate you coming and given us the information.

[13:10] >> Also like to ask, no quick. Have you seen a increase in

[13:15] your emergency staffing? I'm sure you hire him. medics.

[13:20] There is that rate. Go up. And then also I'm sure security.

[13:22] Do you have security at all and there is I-55 what I think

[13:28] 55 Miles out. >> So I think what we're

[13:34] asking, David, as may be amended, give him a little bit

[13:36] more money this year. If you want I just less split it with

[13:41] some 1500 more neighbor. I will cut it from somewhere

[13:45] else in the budget. Second, the overall. So

[13:48] >> You know you're mending the to 8500. All I'm asking. David

[13:55] demand Sean, Your idea. I'd like to amend the motion

[13:57] $8500. K and David, Case or any other discussion. All

[14:04] right. First women to vote only the amendment. Increase

[14:11] original funding by $1500. All in favor signify by saying

[14:16] Aye. Aye opposed nay. Okay. Now we're going to vote on the

[14:22] amended motion which would wish now read 7, $8500. That

[14:28] we're going to fund the application for. there any

[14:30] other discussion? All in favor signify by saying Aye, aye

[14:36] opposed nay. Motion passes. So sell $8500 a share it. So

[14:45] yeah, got lost in the parliamentary procedure there,

[14:50] we we're cutting we're cutting because we're limited on the

[14:52] budget this year. So we'll cut it from another event to give

[14:53] you extra money. >> Thanks welcome. All right.

[14:59] Thank you very much, sir. You're welcome to stay as long

[15:00] as you like. >> Our personal get some

[15:03] people to this year for Thank you. Yes, once again thank all

[15:13] right. On to. >> Next item on a regular

[15:16] agenda, the 2027, Jacqueline, Cup.

[15:21] >> Yes, the Okeechobee Quail Creek Sporting Ranch. I

[15:23] sponsorship opportunities available for that. Jack

[15:25] Link's Cup. This is a 7 day tournament that will consist

[15:29] of 14 events of different disciplines of sporting clays.

[15:32] Each of that ranges between one to 6 days. The 2027 event

[15:36] expects to see approximately 2000 participants, 350

[15:40] spectators and 300 staff members as well as 3.30, to 50

[15:42] sponsors and vendors. The 2026 event had estimated 3600

[15:48] visitors and 11,700 visits. Jack Link's Cup is scheduled

[15:52] to be held at the Quail Creek Plantation in February.

[15:55] Multiple sponsorship opportunities are available

[15:57] for the event ranging in cost up to $30,000. The TDC

[16:02] sponsored the event at 30,020. 24 and 10,000 for 2025. 2026.

[16:08] I attached the entire sponsorship package. Angela

[16:12] and I did attend this event like it was earlier this year.

[16:17] >> we feel that that was a very good event. There was

[16:19] tons of people there. >> And they do advertise our

[16:22] hotels on their website year-round. Actually, they let

[16:27] us set up a booth. We had a booth. We were there almost

[16:30] every day. They had a vendor dinner. They had a banquet

[16:33] dinner. They gave away tons of prizes we had a lot of people

[16:37] coming to our booth asking us questions talking to us I do

[16:40] think it was a great event. back up here.

[16:50] >> How much are they asking this year?

[16:54] >> They are asking for a specific number. This is just

[16:56] a sponsorship opportunity, not a host funding application. So

[17:01] they're just asking for a sponsorship. It's up to the

[17:02] board what they would like to sponsor.

[17:06] >> Well, I would recommend 10,000 same as last time. I

[17:09] the only reason behind it is it's a very good tournament

[17:12] with a lot of people to attend. One of the challenges

[17:17] for us always been the majority of them. Stand up.

[17:19] Stand in for Piers and Port Port St. Lucie. But recently

[17:23] last couple years, they started more advertising. The

[17:24] local hotels. Now, the way I look at it this tournament

[17:31] really doesn't need our funding and my personal view

[17:35] make enough money. The sponsors are wary, wealthier.

[17:39] They charge a fee for for all the attendance. There's prize

[17:43] money. But just the fact that it's part of marketing and

[17:47] part the fact that they're doing a big program, lot of

[17:49] people attend. I would recommend 10,000 same as last

[17:54] time because since we still got to make cuts. I let

[17:57] somebody else want to do other feedback and we put an last

[18:03] time. I did want to mention, I forgot we. So last year we did

[18:05] a sponsor. The sub gauge event.

[18:08] >> And so that whole course they actually had our flags up

[18:10] for that event and they named it the Okeechobee Tdc Cup

[18:14] coming up, push it to be if if in a push for it to be called

[18:16] his Okeechobee cut this year. But they did have a whole

[18:19] event. Just 4 PC could you? Repeat the motion?

[18:42] >> Miss the mouth sores. Want make sure that will that. Is

[18:46] there discussion? All in favor signify by saying Aye, oppose.

[18:53] Like sign. Motion passes, executed, opposed nay. Okay.

[19:01] Next budget for motion. Fiscal year. 25 26. And our first

[19:08] item is updated host funding application overview.

[19:13] >> So tourism staff have received applications for

[19:15] funding from 22 event promoters and 45 individual

[19:18] events throughout fiscal year. 26. 27. This is the same list

[19:22] that I prepared for you at the last meeting. However, I have

[19:25] updated it to announced that were approved at the last

[19:27] meeting. I know a lot of you are using this whenever we

[19:30] were going through the applications to help stay on

[19:32] track. To assist the advisory board of the decision-making

[19:36] process. We also a touch the breakdown of applications and

[19:38] rubric evaluations for review each applications accompanied

[19:42] by a review of current information, including pass

[19:44] funding awards, tourism impact dates and other

[19:47] considerations. The valuation czar provided as a suggestion

[19:50] to the board to assist in reviewing discussion. Final

[19:54] funding recommendations to remain with the discussion of

[19:55] the tourist Development Council. The only one you will

[19:59] not find on this list is be bulls application? We already

[20:00] reviewed. So the first application that we have is

[20:10] for today is going to be the Daniel Memorial cattle battle

[20:12] host funding application. The Tourist Development Council

[20:16] consider the application. The event is scheduled for August

[20:20] 27th and 28th 2027 in the amount of $2500. The cattle

[20:24] battle is hosted by the Daniel Foundation. It is a two-day

[20:28] competitive jackpot cattle show series with the Junior

[20:30] Florida Cattlemen Association. The cattle battle is currently

[20:34] the second showing the point series youth exhibitors travel

[20:38] from all over the state of Florida to participate in

[20:40] these professionally. Judge points and prizes and showcase

[20:43] the knowledge of their animals and showmanship as well as

[20:45] their perspective divisions. The cattle battle will be held

[20:49] at the Okeechobee County AG or Civic Center. The tdc hosted

[20:53] this event last year, an amount of $2000. And and it's

[20:57] been funded since 2024. The rubric funding suggestion is

[21:02] to fund for the full amount of $2500. We were able to pull a

[21:06] visitor report as well. This report tracks 1600 visitors to

[21:12] the Agger Civic Center with an average drawl. Time of 304

[21:15] minutes. Most of these people did stay at our local hotels.

[21:19] I have on here a Holiday Inn. I have a Hampton Inn. a bunch

[21:25] of our local restaurants as well are on here. We have

[21:29] lawmkers. We have speckled perch. We have Zacks pees so

[21:31] they were eating in dining here and lodging.

[21:39] >> Okay. I'm gonna make a motion that we fun. This. The

[21:45] Daniel David Daniel Memorial Cattle Battle host for $2000

[21:47] like we did last year. 2500. Was 2000 last year. That

[21:55] requested. 2500 or go OK? Yeah, that Thomas. Okay. Is

[22:04] there any discussion? But you said had some discussion here

[22:16] now. All right. All in favor signify by saying Aye. Aye

[22:18] opposed nay. >> Motion passes. All right.

[22:26] Next to item on the budget promotion agenda is. Excuse

[22:31] me. 26 27, Florida Junior Brom Association host funding

[22:36] application. Takeaway Jacqueline.

[22:40] >> This is a new event this year. The Florida Junior prom

[22:44] association spring Fling is the final show and the fjp

[22:47] eight-year long point series bringing together youth

[22:50] exhibitors ages 8 through 18. They even have a few below 8

[22:52] in the P** Wee contest and their families from throughout

[22:55] Florida and neighboring southern Georgia. The FJ Ba is

[22:59] a statewide youth organization dedicated to promoting

[23:02] agriculture youth development in the broad and cassel

[23:05] industry through livestock, exhibitions and educational

[23:08] opportunities. This event will be held at the Okeechobee

[23:09] County AG or Civic Center. It brings with it brings

[23:13] exhibitor check-in and cattle rival on Friday evening,

[23:16] followed by the youth livestock competition Saturday

[23:18] and Sunday youth exhibitors will compete with their brown

[23:21] and cattle in a variety of classes. While families,

[23:23] breeders and supporters attend throughout the weekend. This

[23:25] is a new application to the Tdc this this event will

[23:31] pertain showcase Okeechobee as a welcoming destination for

[23:34] agricultural families and visitors throughout the

[23:35] region. There is no admission charge for spectators. This

[23:38] event is accessible to the community while still bringing

[23:41] a significant out of area visitors and visits visitor

[23:44] spending in Okeechobee County based on the information on

[23:48] the application. This is a new event. So we did the

[23:52] republication and the funding suggestion for that was

[23:53] $4,000. Which is what they asked

[24:02] >> Alright chair would entertain a motion. Feel

[24:08] comfortable yet on this one coming. Can I ask a couple

[24:13] questions? Oh, yeah, yes for motion. But I'm not ready.

[24:19] >> Do we have is it? Is this another one that they mainly

[24:21] camp at the at grounds? Most of the the participants are

[24:26] going to be camping at the. >> And I think that that is a

[24:33] safe assumption. However, we've never hosted this event

[24:36] before, right? We don't have any idea of the participants.

[24:38] Yeah, be helpful if they included having people are

[24:44] registered members of this Florida Junior Brown

[24:45] Association, the circuit that they show on. To kind of give

[24:49] us an idea. Do we have any idea? Do they put that down?

[24:50] >> On their application, they did not have an exact amount

[24:55] of register people in the FJ Ba. But I do know that this is

[24:58] in the point series. A lot of >> These shows they use an app

[25:02] called the Showman app. And that app is nationwide. And so

[25:07] that brings a lot of visitors to these events because they

[25:09] want to get the points. So I do think that this will bring

[25:13] a lot of visitors, Okeechobee. It travels the show travels

[25:15] all over the state and it's just never been hosted in

[25:18] Okeechobee before. I think that we I it's the pleasure of

[25:23] the board. I think that we try and see what happens Daniel.

[25:29] This is similar to the David Daniel Memorial show. We just

[25:31] had that one a couple weeks ago. And there was a lot of

[25:34] people there. And personally, I was looking for their

[25:37] advertising and I really didn't see much. So that's why

[25:39] I started asking those questions. And that showman

[25:41] app really puts it out there for everyone. There was a ton

[25:43] of people there. >> And I will. Add that.

[25:52] >> If they can help, if they plug or campers in at the AG

[25:54] Center, they do pay that tax. Yes, George tourist tax. So

[26:02] through the county, yes. >> but if they read I mean,

[26:07] they're not bringing living quarter horse trailers. I

[26:10] don't think lot a lot of them Okay. Yes, I mean, I went out

[26:14] to the David Daniel that. That's a lot of stop trailers

[26:19] to. I think the people that are local they do bring stock

[26:22] shows because they live nearby. But there is quite a

[26:24] few people that bring living quarters in that camp on the

[26:26] Co have tents put up panels. They bring fans and everything

[26:31] for their cattle. >> I was asking but if they

[26:38] use like their they stand there. Horse trailer in the

[26:39] circled are not hooked up at that RV area. There is no.

[26:43] >> If they're not hooked up and the power the no, they

[26:46] don't. But we do have hookups in the circle and most of them

[26:48] do use that. >> Because there to get water

[26:52] and sewer with a gun. >> You don't get sewer, but

[26:54] they look at water and electric

[26:59] >> make a motion that we. >> We give them $3,000 to

[27:03] start this year. I second that. second. Yes. Okay. To

[27:13] demonstrate All right. It's been properly moved and

[27:18] seconded. The tourist Development Council. Fund the

[27:23] Florida Junior Brother Association application for

[27:26] the of GB a spring fleeing. Scheduled for April took

[27:32] second through 4th 2027 and the amount of $3,000. there

[27:35] any other discussion? Second call for any other discussion?

[27:44] All in favor signify by saying Aye, opposed nay. Motion

[27:48] passes. Next is our 26 27 Okeechobee Youth Livestock

[27:58] Show and sale host funding application. Any amount of

[28:03] $1600. >> I less host their annual

[28:08] show and sale as part of the junior Florida Cattlemen's

[28:11] Point series. This is a 10 day event, Livestock show and sale

[28:15] held a march every year. That coincides with the county

[28:17] fair. This event is an event that draws exhibitors and

[28:20] their families each year. This event continues to grow. Both

[28:23] participants and attendees. This event will be held held

[28:26] at the Okeechobee Civic Center and Fairgrounds March 13

[28:28] through the 22nd 2027. The Tdc has hosted this event. The

[28:33] last fiscal year in the amount of $1600. We have funded this

[28:36] event since 2014. They requested $1600 again this

[28:42] year. It's a little bit difficult for us to pull

[28:44] Placer Report because the county fair is also going on

[28:45] at the same time, however, to receive their funding. Each

[28:50] vendor is required to submit a post event. Economic impact

[28:53] report. So I did bring that report with me today. So that

[28:57] participants and spectators they. Recorded 1100 number of

[29:04] participants. And 25 will. 3500 spectators and attendees.

[29:07] They do a estimate that only about 15% of those are coming

[29:09] from outside of Okeechobee County. And they do record

[29:16] overnight stays. They only tracked about 9 hotel rooms

[29:18] for one night and then they tracked 13 RV sites for 5

[29:23] nights. But even at 9 for 5 nights, that's 45 rooms. I

[29:33] make a motion that we fund it for $1600.

[29:38] >> All right. Second, Mister Yes, okay. All right. It's

[29:44] been properly moved and seconded that the Okeechobee

[29:47] Tourist Development Council. Fund. application for the

[29:55] Okeechobee you flush show. And sales scheduled for March 13

[29:58] through 20nd and the amount of $1600. Is amenable. Debatable

[30:04] in open for discussion. Second call for any discussion. All

[30:12] in favor signify by saying Aye, aye opposed nay. Motion

[30:16] passes. Next on the list is a 26 27 Cowtown Classic host

[30:25] funding application. In the amount of $12,000.

[30:30] >> The Florida Equine Disaster Response is a local nonprofit

[30:34] organization that sponsors the Cowtown Classic series. The

[30:38] Countdown Classic is looking forward to the 4th season in

[30:40] 2027 in cow Town. Okeechobee. The 26 27 show season consists

[30:44] of 5 shows the 2026 season so far has exceeded expectations.

[30:51] These shows are expected to keep growing and pulling more

[30:52] participants from Florida and the southeast. The cow town

[30:56] classic is a full slate que ha versatility ranch horse and

[31:00] national rain cow Horse association classes. They

[31:03] report they are dedicated to promoting and preserving

[31:05] ranching cower says here in the Southeast, the TC hosted

[31:08] this these events in the previous fiscal year and the

[31:10] amount of $6,000 this year they are requesting $12,000.

[31:16] Based on on the rubric funding suggestion. We said $10,000. I

[31:22] with my other hat on. I do also managed to Agra Civic

[31:26] Center. I will say that this show continues to grow each

[31:27] and every time that they show up, they're actually even

[31:31] extending their show was 2 days. Now. It's 3 days. And

[31:32] now we're looking at 3 and a half days. They are filling

[31:35] the barn completely. And as funny as it sounds, I do also

[31:40] get to collect the tax on the it stand apart. is there any

[31:44] questions about the specific event?

[31:50] >> The horses watched TV Back up here, waiting for a motion.

[31:59] >> Make a motion that we fund it for $9,000.

[32:08] >> All right. It's been properly moved and seconded we

[32:10] fund the telltale classic. Host funding application him

[32:14] out of should not. And that $9,000, $1000.

[32:20] >> And I came up with that. Just let you know, because we

[32:21] gave them 6,000 last year for 2 days and they've added a

[32:25] day. So I had a 3,000 onto it for a 3rd day.

[32:28] >> Well, a add this to. To the discussion that. According. To

[32:40] Jacqueline, it seems to keep growing. The seed money that

[32:44] we're feeding it. Seems to be working. Along with other. You

[32:50] know, I'm that's not the only that's not the only reason

[32:54] that it's growing. But, you I'm sure it can't hurt. So.

[33:01] >> And they do include rtc logo in all of their

[33:03] advertising. They have a banner that they hang up in

[33:05] the arena and then they have their year-end banquet in

[33:07] December. They had their holiday show as well. And they

[33:10] actually put the tdc logo on a lot of their prizes that they

[33:12] give out to everybody. They put on a lot of the different

[33:15] things that they ordered for the for the holiday show. So

[33:18] they do put our name out there.

[33:21] >> And how much that we funded for last year. We ad for

[33:25] $6,000 last year, 6, OK? So it's a that's an increase by

[33:28] 50%. You know, going 6,001 1000. So that's a generous.

[33:38] General funding amount. think anybody would have a problem

[33:41] with that. OK, it's back up here and open for discussion.

[33:48] Second call for discussion. All favor signify by saying

[33:54] Aye, aye opposed nay. Motion passes. Okay. Next, we have

[34:07] the application for the Okeechobee County, Cattlemen's

[34:10] Association funding application. And the amount of

[34:16] $15,000, which is $7500 per of it in addition, this is for

[34:25] Labor Day Rodeo and Memorial Day Rodeo. I mean, purchased

[34:30] but count as Labor Day. Yeah. >> The Okeechobee County

[34:37] Cattlemen's Association is a local affiliate of the Florida

[34:41] Cattlemen's Association. CCA is a nonprofit organization

[34:44] whose main purpose is to promote and improve the cattle

[34:47] industry in Okeechobee County in the state of Florida,

[34:48] through education and the promotion funds raised for

[34:52] this event are for support of scholarships, beef promotion

[34:55] via junior cattlemen support of educational programs,

[34:58] reading materials provided to local elementary schools in

[35:00] support of FFA. 4 H High School baseball team among

[35:04] other youth organizations. The Okeechobee County Rodeo is

[35:08] scheduled for March 13th and 14th 2027 and the Peak Lemons

[35:12] Memorial Labor Day Rodeo is scheduled for September 4th

[35:13] and 5th 2027. Both rodeos will be held at the historic

[35:17] Cattlemen's Rodeo Arena. This will be the 76 the CCA has

[35:22] bought PRCA sanction rodeos to Okeechobee is community. These

[35:25] events have become a tradition in the community companies.

[35:29] The Okeechobee main street, speckled perch festival and

[35:30] parade as well as the Cracker Cattle Drive and Labor Day

[35:32] Festival and parade. The Tdc hosted this event the previous

[35:36] fiscal year and the amount of $10,000. Based on our rubric

[35:43] and the application. The refunding suggestion was to

[35:45] fund a $12,000. We did also pull some place or reports we

[35:50] were not able to pull police report from the Labor rodeo.

[35:52] That just happened this past weekend. Of we did pull that

[35:55] statistic from last year. So that was. 5600 visitors with

[36:00] the average dwell time of 155 minutes. C? And then we had

[36:10] the hotels here. So most of them did say at the bright and

[36:11] a hotel and casino, it looks like Holiday Inn days. An log

[36:16] harbor, cabins, economy, and other than that, they look

[36:20] like most of them are staying in West Palm. And I don't look

[36:26] like I have the report for catch him. So for the Cowtown

[36:34] Rodeo, we're tracking for 1000 visits, average 2 all time as

[36:37] 166 minutes. And then as far as hotels. Still bright and a

[36:44] Pirate's Cove Inn resort. Looks like they say the

[36:48] Flamingo, the Sleep Inn in Ocala, Lock Arbor cabins. And

[36:50] Roland Martin, Marina. So they're seeing a little bit

[36:55] all over the place when they come during second sleeper an

[36:57] Ocala. Yeah. >> The reason behind that we

[37:03] have music festival this year at the same time, right?

[37:06] >> The music festival has not announced that they are going

[37:10] to back in time. 27 this second, the data, the last

[37:14] one. So some people will have to stay lower for the way,

[37:17] because there was a rodeo in Ocala present this weekend.

[37:24] >> I'm talking about the one when they do it March charge.

[37:28] That saying they same usually have to report for.

[37:38] >> I see that everything left us. All of our rodeos.

[37:39] >> And the I would motion for same 10,000 that we give last

[37:44] year. >> All right. It's been

[37:52] properly moved and seconded to. To fund the. Rubio for

[37:59] $10,000, which would be $5,000 for. there any other

[38:06] discussion? >> This is one of the ones I I

[38:12] don't know. We work to stop bringing in a lot of tourist

[38:14] dollars as far as bed Stace. I know we have a lot of people

[38:19] from out of town. Hopefully we're drawing them back in for

[38:24] other reasons. I mean, of the rodeo on Sunday night. And the

[38:28] clown was saying, OK, how many people are from out of town?

[38:31] And there were a lot of people from out of town and they

[38:34] asked how many people from out of the country and you

[38:37] wouldn't believe how many people from out of the

[38:41] country. So I'm just saying that they are bringing the

[38:44] tourists. And but we're not getting the tourist tax

[38:45] because you're not staying overnight.

[38:48] >> you would you say that? What you said because they

[38:53] don't have the hotel stays. Thank. They're not staying

[38:55] overnight. they're I think they're driving in. And if you

[39:01] follow the cars out from the rodeo this past Sunday, they

[39:04] were all turning left and headings East. Most of them

[39:08] are heading east to go home. They drive. And for the day, I

[39:11] think we're doing a great job in bringing them here. You

[39:17] know, the problem is is even. There's really not much else.

[39:21] I mean, we're not doing the festival until Monday, right

[39:24] in the park. The parade on Monday. There's not much else

[39:29] going on on Saturday and Sunday and Labor Day. To bring

[39:32] those people in to have them stay overnight.

[39:36] >> Well, think the additionally the economy's

[39:37] kind of Putin Trojan along. You know, I think it's kind of

[39:43] causing people to Titan are built a little not be so free

[39:47] with are. We're $30 this point What's going on in the

[39:54] country. So. >> So I think we were bring

[39:57] what my point is, I think we're bringing the tourists

[39:58] Okeechobee. I think we need to make the most of us having

[40:02] that. That market right sitting in front of us. You

[40:08] know, you have all those people in the stands and their

[40:12] pack stance, you know, maybe we need to make a little bit

[40:14] more of what we have. Rather than just the flag you know,

[40:18] maybe. You know, I don't know, maybe do some promotional

[40:24] stuff for those attendees. Yeah, you know, like.

[40:28] Literally they were passed out beer cozies for Gilbert,

[40:32] Chevrolet. I mean there I know they're one of the sponsors,

[40:33] but maybe we need to be handing out something, you

[40:37] know, to draw them to Okeechobee because we pay for

[40:41] them all to come in 70 and go north and never see the rest

[40:46] of Okeechobee or the lake or restaurants or whatever. And I

[40:51] know they're eating there and it's a great cause and it's

[40:54] helping the you send the rodeo. But again, when it

[40:56] comes to tourist dollars. I don't know. We're getting a

[41:01] big bang for our buck on this one.

[41:04] >> You know, the participants that are participating in

[41:06] actual events today participate on both days.

[41:09] maybe they would be staying in some note also a different

[41:14] day. I was told I asked that question because I was

[41:15] interested. They said no, that the participants on Saturday

[41:20] only participated Saturday and the participants we're only

[41:23] participating on Sunday. >> header means that day.

[41:29] Careful one can for the a Reuters road. One voice, not

[41:34] it's not right coverage. Weather and it's why certain

[41:41] can money and they can win average. So it's just a one

[41:45] header. >> Yes, they have. They have

[41:46] they do a draw for purchase on Saturday. And for Sunday, they

[41:49] also have slack. So a lot of people that don't make the

[41:52] performance they do. They did have slack during the day

[41:53] Saturday and Sunday. >> This road years

[41:59] historically has I remember back came to a that 4 years

[42:03] ago? And we used to get filled up on Labor Day back then and

[42:08] last 10 years, this rodeos, we haven't had that many people

[42:11] stay. But one of the reasons I think it's you have a lot of

[42:18] people coming from West Palm, Orlando Port, Port St. Lucie

[42:21] for that one day event. I'm okay with this event because

[42:24] he's a local event. The fact that, you know, the people who

[42:30] organize events are the ones who has to create that. I

[42:33] don't thing we can make much of impact because we can tell

[42:37] them, hey, have your parade on Saturday you know, do it all

[42:41] differently or whatever. But the fact that, you know, they

[42:46] bring in people are still marketing. That's the way I

[42:49] look at Even if they're coming from West Palm, Orlando,

[42:51] people are recognizing what is so could show. And for that

[42:54] reason, you know, I would support it. But technically

[42:58] we're just basing on the hotel rooms. They don't bring damage

[43:02] hotel rooms than they used to do in the past,

[43:05] >> And I think that's because they used to do like in the

[43:09] park used to be a two-day affair. They used do the rodeo

[43:14] on Sunday and Monday and they changed it to Saturday and

[43:18] Sunday. used to do the rodeo 3 days. used shed or a and

[43:23] Monday. So then you you know, so people could come and now

[43:25] the tickets are good for both rodeos. I mean, the ticket is

[43:28] it and it's not cheap. Is $25 for Saturday Sunday for 2 day

[43:34] event that most people I don't think stay for both days to go

[43:37] see one day. But what I'm saying is they're not having.

[43:40] >> The parks full, I think the vendors said they don't want

[43:44] to come set up for one day. >> Instead of 2 days or 3 days

[43:49] and then and because they're not doing the roadie on

[43:52] Monday, you don't have as many people even at the parade. The

[43:55] parade very I mean, we talk about it, but the city,

[44:00] whether we're going to hurt his, you know, weather. We

[44:01] have the crowd. For that parade on Monday. And and so

[44:08] what I'm saying is it's not a destination now for the

[44:10] weekend like it used to be. I thought it used to be. It's a

[44:15] three-day rodeo or today Rodeo. Yet today's a craft

[44:19] fair. Okay. Well, we'll just go charity for the weekend or

[44:22] a couple of days. don't think that's happening anymore. I

[44:23] think it's a one-day event. That's how I think it's

[44:26] changed. >> I know if you want to some

[44:30] real estate in the park was a place to be because you are

[44:33] more real estate tents up in the park on Monday. Then

[44:38] anything. >> I'm

[44:41] >> So didn't seem to be as well. Supported by vendors.

[44:48] >> As well, talked to the vendors say, say it, you know,

[44:51] it's a lot of work to set up for one day. And the

[44:55] participation is not the way it used to And the on that one

[45:01] day. And it was so hot. I mean, you know.

[45:04] >> They need to do it like Brighton Road. The are

[45:06] different things because like you said, the vendors, I'm not

[45:09] going to come all the way down here. And for one day, there's

[45:12] pain. A set of feed their pain, transportation. They're

[45:15] paying. If it's a food vendor, the food costs and it's not

[45:17] worth well. >> So if you do it, where it's

[45:24] more like it's a festive event from the morning for the

[45:26] evening that motivates people let's spend the whole weekend.

[45:30] They're right. Well, that's and its main Street. It's not

[45:32] the rodeo that right created the.

[45:35] >> During the parade and and the park. So anyway, I just

[45:40] wanted to put $0.2 in for the rodeo. But I think it's weird

[45:45] Ross. A lot of people. It's us right now. It's a one-day

[45:46] event. >> transport people from the

[45:51] parking lot to ticket office. And I would have to say that

[45:57] the majority of the people are from out of So we're bringing

[46:01] in people from the other areas and I've never had a bad

[46:05] comment from the group. And some of them come both days.

[46:09] just come the one day. I've had a number of them that had

[46:15] tickets, war the first night. you know, it started hour and

[46:20] a half late because of the rain and some of came back.

[46:24] The next day said, well, we didn't buy tickets. We need

[46:27] them now because we we didn't go online. So it does bring a

[46:32] lot to the area. I agree they don't spend the night. Okay.

[46:45] >> I think we have a motion on the Florida only emotion was

[46:47] discussion >> well, we still have a still

[46:55] have motion on the floor. >> that was for 10 him 10,000.

[47:00] Is there any other discussion? All in favor signify by saying

[47:07] Aye, aye opposed nay. Motion passes. That was a 10,000.

[47:12] Which is 5,000 perfect. Alright, next is item G.

[47:23] Double K Rodeo Productions host funding application.

[47:29] Okeechobee, Extreme Rodeo. 11th annual scheduled for

[47:34] November 6th and 7th 2026 of them out of $5,000.

[47:38] >> The Okeechobee extreme Rodeo brought by Double K

[47:42] Rodeo Productions is a full production rodeo consisting of

[47:45] bullriding bronc riding barrel racing trick riding mutton

[47:47] bustin another rodeo events. The Okeechobee extreme rodeo

[47:51] is scheduled to be held at the Okeechobee County IRA Civic

[47:53] Center on November 6th and 7th 2026 and the amount of $5,000

[47:58] the TDC has hosted 2 events for the extreme rodeo in the

[48:02] previous fiscal year in the amount of 5,000 each for a

[48:03] total of $10,000. They actually did apply for 3

[48:08] events and were approved for 3 events for a total of The

[48:13] previous fiscal year. However, one event did end up getting

[48:15] canceled. So she only received the funding for the 2 events

[48:18] that did happen at the Agger Civic Center. This year. She's

[48:22] only applied for one event. The November event seems to be

[48:25] the most popular and she had has a traveling circuit. So

[48:30] she's moving around quite a bit. So this year is just for

[48:32] the November event. You have any information on the event.

[48:41] Participants my son. So we have funded this event since

[48:48] 2018. It has grown a lot much slower than some of the other

[48:50] events, but it has grown quite a bit the total visits forced

[48:56] her June rodeo was 4,000 people. But the average all

[48:59] time of of 210 minutes, 61% of these people came from the

[49:04] Palm Beach area. And and we had about 10% of the people

[49:09] come from like Tampa, Saint Pete area. And and then most

[49:12] of the other people were local. We do have some hotel

[49:18] stays as well. They have Hampton N we have some hotels

[49:21] in Palm Beach Gardens. Sebring, Ocala. And then the

[49:28] Holiday Inn that they're really not staying. I think

[49:30] this is similar to the previous postponing

[49:32] application where it is set up as a one-day event is a night

[49:34] rodeo. There's not much going on during the day.

[49:39] >> Do we have anything on the November dates?

[49:42] >> I do not have a report for the November. No, ma'am. Make

[49:47] them look, I'm being at the Agger Civic Center. I do get

[49:52] to see a lot of the people that are coming in and out of

[49:55] these events. Her November show was much bigger than her

[49:58] June show. The June show was one hot, but to also had

[50:01] pretty bad weather both nights. Now it is under

[50:04] covers. lot of people did still calm, but I think the

[50:06] weather to scare off a lot of people. But the November event

[50:09] was the biggest event that she had. We'll never. So you're

[50:13] saying it bigger than the 4,000 that they had at the

[50:16] June of yes man. Make a motion that we fund the $5,000 for

[50:21] this event. >> Second, Mr. Bob. okay. All

[50:32] right. It's been properly moved and seconded them Shelby

[50:34] County Development Council. Fun the 26 27 Double K Rodeo

[50:41] Productions host funding application in the amount of

[50:43] $5,000. It is now open for discussion. Second call for

[50:50] discussion. All in favor signify by saying Aye opposed

[50:57] nay. Motion passes. Next. We have the southernmost timed

[51:10] event challenge host funding application. In the amount of

[51:16] $4,000, which is a June, the 11th through 13th of 2027.

[51:22] >> The southernmost timed event challenges an annual

[51:24] event held at the Okeechobee County AG or Civic Center. The

[51:27] event draws youth in adult rodeo competitors throughout

[51:29] the United States. The southernmost timed event

[51:32] challenges a national qualifier sanction through

[51:35] RFD-TV. The southernmost is the only comprehensive

[51:37] qualifying event held in South Florida. The individual event

[51:41] at the southern most include barrel racing pole, bending

[51:44] team roping, steer wrestling goat tying breakaway roping in

[51:47] tied down calf roping. The southernmost junior timed

[51:52] event challenge event is promoted to the Junior High

[51:54] Schools, National Rodeo Association's and social

[51:56] Media. This event will be advertised through 3 different

[51:59] websites with national recognition and followers. The

[52:04] tdc hosted this event the previous fiscal year and the

[52:05] amount of $3,000 this year. The request is for 1000. We

[52:09] have funded this event since 2020. The rubric Funding

[52:13] suggestion is $3500. We did pull the report from the event

[52:18] that just happened in June of this year. We have an estimate

[52:22] of 835 visits and averaged well time of 194 minutes. And

[52:31] for hotels, it looks like most people are staying here at the

[52:34] Seminole Brighton Bay and Hotel Casino or in Vero Beach.

[52:48] >> Make a motion that we fund this for $3,000 like we did

[52:50] last year. >> And Mr. Bob second, it.

[53:02] properly moved and seconded there Okeechobee County

[53:03] Tourist Development Council. Fund the southernmost timed

[53:11] event challenge host funding application and the amount of

[53:14] $3,000. Is there any discussion?

[53:21] >> My concern is the visits are so low. There are only 835

[53:26] visits. >> That's why I think we talk

[53:33] about reducing and some of the road events, but we need to

[53:36] start putting a minute if could continue given where we

[53:38] gave last year. And we're pretty much budget. So some of

[53:44] this event. even if we funded in the past. When took a

[53:48] little bit and most of them going forward.

[53:53] >> The rest of the events that will be reviewing today. They

[53:57] are not spectator events. They are sporting events. So

[54:01] they're the people that are attending. These are mostly

[54:02] participants and their families, but they are not

[54:04] spectator events. They're not ticketed events. So I do feel

[54:07] like that is important information to the discussion.

[54:12] >> That's good to know, that means that we're really not

[54:15] game the most bang for our money. All right.

[54:17] >> On my motion. >> Well, unless It's a

[54:22] three-day event. So it should be generating bid tax. Whether

[54:27] through the through the plug-ins, Egg Center for

[54:33] hotels. >> Most of the people that

[54:38] stay for this event, they are there for their specific

[54:41] qualifier and then they leave. They don't normally stay for

[54:43] the entire 3 days. >> basically participate in

[54:49] move by the end of the day. >> So when they say I'm here,

[54:53] competitors are likely to stay overnight as most of them

[54:56] compete multiple events that sit in one day, some of them

[54:58] to stay a couple nights but not not the majority. And I

[55:09] will say to like this is a youth and adult rodeo. So the

[55:12] adults, they are usually only one event. It's the children

[55:14] that usually do multiple events.

[55:21] >> So did you want to? >> My motion that we for

[55:25] $2000. I'll second that. All right. further discussion on

[55:34] the amendment. Second call for discussion on the amendment.

[55:43] >> All in favor of the amending the original motion

[55:48] and for the amount of $2000 signify by saying Aye, aye

[55:51] opposed Motion passes will now vote on the amended motion.

[55:56] That we. Fund the so most out of it challenge from the

[56:03] application and the amount of $2000. Is there any other

[56:05] discussion? All in favor signify by saying Aye, aye.

[56:12] Opposed nay. Motion passes. All right. We move on to the

[56:22] 26 27 Florida High School Rodeo Association, host

[56:23] funding application. And the amount of $9,000 which is

[56:27] $4500 per event. Is to be able October 9th through the 11th

[56:32] and May 6th through the knife. >> The Florida High School

[56:38] Rodeo Association mission is to promote high school rodeo

[56:41] on a statewide scale and work towards this by bringing

[56:43] statewide recognition to rodeo activities to build character

[56:47] citizenship and good sportsmanship and

[56:50] professionalism in our young people of Florida by

[56:51] supporting competing in the sport of rodeo. All officers

[56:55] and directors are volunteers. The Florida High School rodeo

[56:58] is open to all Florida high school students that are

[56:59] members of the F H Both events will be held at the Okeechobee

[57:03] County AG or Civic Center. The Tdc hosted this event in the

[57:07] previous fiscal year in the amount of $18,000 for 3

[57:10] events. There's only going to be 2 events this year. And we

[57:16] fun of the since 2016, these families will be staying in

[57:21] Okeechobee, at least 2 nights per rodeo. The families will

[57:23] be staying in hotels and campgrounds will be eating at

[57:25] restaurants, purchasing fuel and other items. They're

[57:28] expecting about 240 attendees and 180 campsites or hotel

[57:31] rooms. May is usually their biggest event because that is

[57:37] state finals. So we did pull report from the Florida High

[57:39] school rodeo this previous year. There was 3,000 visits

[57:45] with the average dwell time of 358 minutes. This event did

[57:49] fill our barn. So we did have a lot of overnight stays.

[57:52] There were a lot of people that stayed in camp in the

[57:54] campground at the facility. And then we do have a hotel

[57:58] report for this event as well. We have camped in and Holiday

[58:02] Inn. We have a couple places in Lake Placid in and we have

[58:07] a couple places in Fort Pierce and then of course, we have

[58:09] the Seminole Brighton Bay Casino.

[58:17] >> Make a motion that we fund this for $9,000. A share.

[58:19] >> I'll second. You got that. Mister Thomas. It's been

[58:30] properly moved and seconded that the Okeechobee County

[58:33] Tourist Development Council's the Florida. High School Rodeo

[58:38] Association funding application. Any amount of was

[58:44] it again, 9,001 $1000. Which is original him out. Is there

[58:50] any discussion? Second call for discussion all in favor

[58:59] signify by saying Aye, opposed nay. Motion passes. Okay. Now

[59:08] we have Florida Jr, our school rodeos to funding application.

[59:14] And the amount of $18,000. For schedule events of January

[59:20] 2027 through September 2027. So for you throw the offense.

[59:25] Jacqueline. >> The Florida Junior High

[59:30] School Rodeo Association is a non-profit organization

[59:34] dedicated providing youth grades 5 through 8 with

[59:37] opportunities to develop leadership responsibility,

[59:39] sportsmanship and character through the sport of Rodeo has

[59:42] an affiliate of the National High School Rodeo Association.

[59:45] Florida Junior High School Rodeo offers us a family

[59:48] oriented environment where student athletes can compete

[59:51] emphasizing the importance of academics, good citizenship

[59:53] and community involvement. These rodeos are scheduled for

[59:57] January April, August and September 2027 at the

[1:00:00] Okeechobee County AG or Civic Center. The Tdc did host these

[1:00:04] events in the previous fiscal year for a total of 24,000.

[1:00:06] They had 6 events last year this year. They only have 4

[1:00:11] events and the total requested was 18,000. We have funded

[1:00:16] this event since 2023. Their continued success of this

[1:00:21] event encourages repeat visitation from contestants

[1:00:23] and their families. It supports local businesses and

[1:00:26] strengthens Okeechobee County's reputation as a host

[1:00:28] for high-quality sporting an agricultural events. This

[1:00:32] event will actively involved local businesses through

[1:00:34] sponsorship opportunities, hotels, retailers and service

[1:00:38] providers. Local businesses have the opportunity to

[1:00:39] promote their products and services to contestants

[1:00:42] families, spectators while supporting a community-focused

[1:00:44] youth event. The refunding suggestion is $14,000. Based

[1:00:50] on our report to the state finals this previous year, we

[1:00:53] tracked 700 visitors. So this event was much smaller than

[1:00:57] the high school rodeo event. We did not have enough hotels

[1:01:03] to pull the report, but we did pull their favorite places. So

[1:01:07] they were visiting us Western wear Lawmkers Lawmkers

[1:01:10] Applebee's. Bogeys Okeechobee Cattlemen's Rodeo Arena but

[1:01:14] there are no hotels on the list.

[1:01:20] >> Usually we don't see many of You know, family members

[1:01:26] who participate in the hotels. They only come for a day or

[1:01:28] so. My question was, is that is the same organization that

[1:01:33] hosts Florida high school and also the Florida Junior high

[1:01:36] school. >> They are affiliated but

[1:01:39] they are not the event promoters. They are not the

[1:01:42] same group of kids. They are separate

[1:01:45] >> so I just kind of want to it plan on observation because

[1:01:49] I know is the same way last year that these all coincide

[1:01:52] with the other all Florida junior rodeo.

[1:01:54] >> So they're happening on the same dates there, too. Events

[1:01:59] requesting quite a bit of money. If you look Sarah, 22 5

[1:02:05] $27,000 here and considering that there's 2 organizations

[1:02:07] participating in this. On the same dates and there's on 700

[1:02:12] attendees and no hotel stays. And that's unless but $50,000

[1:02:17] that they're requesting. If you look at that both of the

[1:02:22] organization's concert, same days. Out of the show, the

[1:02:25] advertising is the same. For both. Yes, ma'am, out of the 4

[1:02:30] events that they're both Florida junior high and all

[1:02:33] Florida junior having only 2 of those events coincide on

[1:02:36] the same weekend, the opener and the state finals. Those

[1:02:38] are their own individual events.

[1:02:44] >> But the September event April event. Those are

[1:02:48] separate. Okay. Okay. I was looking at the

[1:02:53] >> On this. fears confuse what says January 27 are thinking

[1:02:57] that was the actual date. Not January. You're 27. I get it

[1:02:58] now. They do host the event they'll have Florida Junior

[1:03:05] high one day and then the have also to junior Saturday Sunday

[1:03:08] for 2 of those events. But 2 of the other 2 are individual

[1:03:11] okay. I thought they were asking for 18,000. They are

[1:03:14] asking for 18,000. Yes, ma'am. total request. 27. That that

[1:03:22] was missing in my mistake. I apologize. I should've change

[1:03:24] that. initial application was 27,000, but she included the

[1:03:28] rodeo. That just happened in August and the rodeo in

[1:03:31] September, which those don't qualify for this fiscal year

[1:03:35] funding application. And she's already has approved funding

[1:03:37] for those from previous fiscal year. So that's my mistake.

[1:03:40] >> it 18,000 last year. >> It was last Last year. They

[1:03:47] had 6 events last year. This year. They'll only have 4 in

[1:03:49] Okeechobee. >> And explain how you come

[1:03:54] out with brick funding. >> So our rubric funding, let

[1:03:57] me pull it up. Real quick. We have an evaluation set up that

[1:04:03] we score them by attendance out of county visitors

[1:04:05] overnight stays economic impact marketing reach.

[1:04:10] They're live stream exposure, tourism value event, history

[1:04:13] and growth in the reporting in compliance with tours and

[1:04:16] staff. So that's how we grade them on the event and then

[1:04:21] they have a total score. 41 out of 100 which qualifies

[1:04:25] them for tier 2, which is between 154500 per event. We

[1:04:31] recommended 14,000 with the 3500 per event.

[1:04:34] >> There is an algorithm created by software. Yes. And

[1:04:38] we just input the information that they have reported to us.

[1:04:45] >> I'm gonna make a motion that we fund it for $14,000. A

[1:04:46] share. like a team. >> While we're trying to get

[1:04:59] out we want to get out of here before 5 o'clock today. With

[1:05:04] travel clock, the next of all right.

[1:05:08] >> And will speed things up is there discussion? Take a call?

[1:05:23] For discussion all in favor signify by saying Aye, opposed

[1:05:25] nay motion passes. >> Next is Florida Junior

[1:05:30] Rodeo Association? Host funding application. Which is

[1:05:37] against different than the 40 junior. This is the all

[1:05:41] Florida junior. Yes, sir. What is last qualifier Jean edge of

[1:05:43] >> We do have a pretty big rodeo community here in

[1:05:45] Okeechobee and they love to use our facility. Florida

[1:05:49] Junior Rodeo Association is a nonprofit organization

[1:05:53] promoting the interests of children, ages 5 to 14

[1:05:55] competing in rodeo events throughout the state of

[1:05:57] Florida. The goal of a F is to provide a quality event

[1:06:01] allowing you to advance the rodeo talent and goals in the

[1:06:03] spirit of fair competition and good sportsmanship. They offer

[1:06:07] 11 events for boys and girls, including backs year riding

[1:06:10] calf roping barrel racing breakaway calf. Roping shoot

[1:06:14] dog in goat tying team roping pull bended pole, Bending Bull

[1:06:17] in writing in cutting ready take place on Saturday and

[1:06:21] Sunday at 09:00AM Cowboy Church is at 08:08AM, on

[1:06:24] Sunday this year. And Jerry will have 5 scheduled events

[1:06:27] with the Okeechobee County AG, a civic center. There are

[1:06:30] events will be in January, April, May August and

[1:06:32] September. The TC hosted this event the previous fiscal year

[1:06:36] and the amount of 21,000 for a total of 6 events, which was

[1:06:39] 3500 per events. Based on the rubric funding. We have funded

[1:06:45] this event since 2021 based on real big funding. We suggested

[1:06:47] 14,000. We do also have a report from metrics from the

[1:06:52] may event total visitors. We have just under 1000 visitors

[1:06:55] for this event. And then we do have a couple people that did

[1:07:01] stay on our local hotels. We do have Shuns Holiday Inn

[1:07:03] Express. Lakeshore Resorts. And then 2 hotels that are

[1:07:09] from Panama City Beach. might've been traveling on

[1:07:18] their way down a set and family are something stopped.

[1:07:19] from Panama City. >> So we use this place or

[1:07:24] report. And so we're able to track foot traffic for people

[1:07:26] that come post in prior to the facility.

[1:07:32] >> It always stay the night for him. Came on their way

[1:07:34] here on their way here. Yeah. Announce make a motion.

[1:07:41] >> Well, don't shot. >> sheriff, how revenue

[1:07:48] generate whatever it Rodeo events happen like the

[1:07:51] collection from your side from the act place. would be

[1:07:54] beneficial. How much rent total revenue? How much?

[1:08:01] Obviously we collect tax if they have RV's. What's a

[1:08:02] revenue are you collecting from there? That gives us a

[1:08:06] better gauge, right? The all right. This is how much

[1:08:07] they're spending at your place right? So moving forward in

[1:08:11] the future instead of giving grants out. What we can do is

[1:08:15] I'm sure you also charge rent for them to use it.

[1:08:20] >> I some of these events to apply for a fee waiver now

[1:08:23] that doesn't waive all of their fees at the Agger Civic

[1:08:25] Center that just waives the rental fee. They're still

[1:08:27] required to pay for facility. Staff waste disposal utilities

[1:08:30] and things like that. >> is it anywhere? We can

[1:08:36] apply for the amount that we give a grand tours. Just

[1:08:40] funding it to ad where they're just getting as a comp. I

[1:08:44] don't understand you need. So, for example, if somebody is

[1:08:49] host hosting a at the place and their fees are $5,000. If

[1:08:56] we're given grant for $5,000, can we just give that grant to

[1:08:58] AG? And they're just getting for free? I don't believe

[1:09:01] we're able to do that. Now. Because I'm just saying that

[1:09:07] there's a large events that doesn't attract much or

[1:09:11] whatever. Maybe we can just wave and give free. You know,

[1:09:16] the host funding application grant is supposed to be used

[1:09:19] for advertising signage, stuff like that. Marketing promoting

[1:09:23] Okeechobee. It's not city used to be paid for facility

[1:09:25] rentals and stuff like that. >> Okay.

[1:09:32] >> So which 2 events to to savor coinciding with Florida

[1:09:36] Junior high school. One. >> The Florida junior high

[1:09:40] school in off Florida. Their April event will be on the

[1:09:43] same weekend and they're September event will be on the

[1:09:46] same weekend. So we already funded them. 3500 right for

[1:09:48] the first one. Then where? >> Getting ready to fund this

[1:09:50] one. Yes, ma'am. >> And the facilities already

[1:09:54] been waves. Are they requested for it to be brave for both

[1:10:00] Android. And that's just the facility fee for the daily

[1:10:02] rental. They do pay the rest of the You know that it cost

[1:10:05] to operate the facility. >> I do also since you asked

[1:10:10] about the amount money that we collect, I don't have the

[1:10:13] exact amount in front of me. But please remember that we

[1:10:16] only rent RV's at the Akron Civic Center for $25 a night.

[1:10:20] So it's only 3% on $25 a night.

[1:10:24] >> I know. But I just want to because that gives us a gauge,

[1:10:26] OK, you know what? We collected $3,000 we do it by

[1:10:32] $25. We have an idea how many are resort park there. That

[1:10:36] kind of confirms with a number of attendees to that number

[1:10:39] participants as well. >> We're still rentals to

[1:10:45] install everything that so it gives us an idea. Are we all

[1:10:49] so making some kind of revenues if we're giving them

[1:10:51] some kind of grand as sort of money. A motion for same with

[1:10:59] the rubric funding said $14,000. 14,000. Yes. Alright,

[1:11:18] is there any other discussion? Second call for discussion?

[1:11:25] All in favor signify by saying Aye. Aye opposed nay. Motion

[1:11:29] passes. And our final post funding application. The 26 27

[1:11:39] Florida Little Britches Rodeo Association. Those funding

[1:11:41] application. >> In the amount of $4,000 to

[1:11:46] $1000, each for 2 events scheduled for October 3rd and

[1:11:51] 4th 2026. and May first and second of 2027.

[1:11:56] >> The Florida Little Britches Rodeo Association is a

[1:11:59] nationally sanction youth rodeo event for ages 5 to 18

[1:12:03] offering events that includes barrels roping Ruff's stock

[1:12:05] trail course in flag race. The association has over 120

[1:12:08] families from all regions of the state. The travel to

[1:12:12] Okeechobee for these rodeos in hopes of national

[1:12:14] qualifications. The Tdc did host these events in the

[1:12:17] previous fiscal year and the amount of $3,000 for 2 events.

[1:12:19] So it's 1500 total. They have requested 4,000 this year for

[1:12:23] 2 events of 2000 total. This is event. We funded since

[1:12:28] 2025. This is the 10th season of FL be producing to rodeos

[1:12:33] in one weekend, every month from September through June,

[1:12:36] each year of the organization has grown. The members spanned

[1:12:39] from Atlanta, Georgia to the southern beaches of Miami,

[1:12:42] many of which are arrive early to explore and visit the towns

[1:12:44] that we travel to. These events are held at the

[1:12:47] historic Cattlemen's Arena. And then we do also have a

[1:12:55] report. So the may event they had just under 1000 visitors.

[1:13:00] Most of them and you all come from out of town. We have Palm

[1:13:04] Beach, Orlando, Fort Myers, Tampa, Saint Pete,

[1:13:06] Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Thomasville in Gainesville. We

[1:13:08] do have a couple hotels as well. The have we have

[1:13:12] visitors at Scottish INS Holiday Inn Express Lakeshore

[1:13:14] Resort, best Western in Bowling Green and another

[1:13:18] hotel and Panama City. So I think that person came for

[1:13:21] both radius. >> back up here. The chair

[1:13:35] would entertain a make a motion that we fund it for

[1:13:37] $4,000. A share. All right. Second from Mister Bob. The

[1:13:48] motion is that the Okeechobee County Tourist Village Council

[1:13:51] fund. For Little Britches Rodeo Association for the

[1:13:57] application of them out of $4,000.

[1:13:59] >> $2000. Each for 2 events. Correct? Yes. All right. As

[1:14:06] any other discussion. second call for discussion. All in

[1:14:13] favor signify by saying Aye, aye. Opposed nay. Motion

[1:14:17] passes. All right. Next, we have tourism staff update.

[1:14:25] >> We have a few quick staff updates for you since our last

[1:14:29] meeting in Illinois are getting ready to go to the

[1:14:30] Florida governor's conference on tourism. We actually are

[1:14:32] going to leave this afternoon and will be over in Palm Beach

[1:14:34] for the rest of the week. The one 100th historical

[1:14:38] courthouse commemorative perception is tomorrow at

[1:14:41] 5.30, you all should have received an email invite from

[1:14:43] administration. We hope to see there. We'll have a fun

[1:14:48] scavenger hunt and some things like that as well. And then

[1:14:50] the open house is open to the public this Saturday, 9 to 5.

[1:14:54] The courthouse will be open. People will be able to walk

[1:14:56] around. There's going to be some exhibits being set up be

[1:14:58] a video playing in here with some historic information. So

[1:15:01] that's going to be a really good time. The let's take you

[1:15:05] outside private watch party invitation. You also have also

[1:15:08] received an invitation for that as well. We're super

[1:15:10] excited to have Missy Wells come back. The invitations

[1:15:14] also on the front cover of this agenda. If any of you

[1:15:16] need a copy, we hope you're able to attend. This is a

[1:15:19] private watch party because the episode has not been

[1:15:23] released and it won't be released October. And then at

[1:15:27] the last board meeting, there was some questions about where

[1:15:29] our reserves are. So we do have to replenish some of our

[1:15:33] accounts. But I did want to give the board an update. So

[1:15:35] are reserved for future improvements for the proposed

[1:15:39] budget fiscal year, 26, 27, that total amount is

[1:15:43] $557,080.20 and the total contingency reserved for

[1:15:46] proposed fiscal year 26. 27 is $113,330. then we also have

[1:15:55] some poor training information. Unfortunately,

[1:15:57] our new member was not able to be here today, but I will have

[1:15:59] some updates for you regarding, you know, sunshine

[1:16:02] law in the typical trainings that we have to do at our next

[1:16:05] meeting in our next meeting is scheduled for October 14th

[1:16:08] 2026. At 09:00AM and I almost forgot yesterday Bassmaster

[1:16:14] Elite did released their schedule and we will be their

[1:16:16] season opener in February of 2027. lot What is the reserve

[1:16:25] for future improvements >> So that is the name of the

[1:16:30] account. But that's actually the account that we would that

[1:16:33] we would pull from if we investing in a park.

[1:16:36] >> Or something like that. That's that's like our general

[1:16:39] fund. I don't call the General Fund cause. It's not but

[1:16:41] that's like are General Reserve account. That's where

[1:16:45] all of the money is by state statute. We do have a couple

[1:16:48] of other accounts that are separated. So we have a

[1:16:51] reserve for contingencies were required to have a certain

[1:16:52] amount of money in that account. We have some other

[1:16:56] reserve account. So that's why I included the total reserve

[1:16:59] proposed because that's the total of reserves that we

[1:17:01] have. I know this kind of hard to do that. But where are we

[1:17:07] for the budget for the share? I thought it was it.

[1:17:10] >> We were like 200,000 and where are we? you we had

[1:17:15] 145,000 budgeted for promotional items or your

[1:17:17] friend. Just promotional items. Yeah, I'm the yes. The

[1:17:21] ones like the grants would just gave Let was our our

[1:17:26] budget we get We close. Anyone. Second, I have a crew

[1:17:32] in the beginning. >> Wasn't like 205,000 is the

[1:17:38] request. And we had. And how much worry? Budgeted? For

[1:17:47] spending on the grants. Here we go. Page. 26. So we funded

[1:17:55] 128,025. 26. And we had a request of. So we had to do,

[1:18:04] right? Yes. So 105,000? Yeah, yes, ma'am. So fiscal year,

[1:18:08] 26, 27. We funded $120,600. >> The total requests that we

[1:18:12] receive are $205,900. And then as of all the approvals that

[1:18:16] we went through today, our total out was $133,900. Does

[1:18:22] that include the Chevy Bolts? Yes, it does. does not include

[1:18:27] Jack with Jack Link's route one. 43, 900. And where was

[1:18:31] our budget for the share one? 45? And with Jack Link's where

[1:18:36] where? One? 43? Yes, number Right on target

[1:18:42] >> I'm happy. They be happy. >> With the majority say like

[1:18:52] urban happy. We're happy. Thank you. I appreciate that.

[1:18:59] Did a great job guys. Thank appreciate Angeles been

[1:19:04] working really hard behind the scenes. So I I appreciate her.

[1:19:07] She's been able to put together a lot of these

[1:19:08] reports for us. >> She helps me do my job. So

[1:19:11] I appreciate her. >> I just had a question. Is

[1:19:15] there any way we can? I know we have tdc website for people

[1:19:20] to come and look at the dates when the events are there. But

[1:19:23] is there anything we can do proactively where it comes on

[1:19:27] Instagram or Facebook where we are proactive. You telling the

[1:19:30] community, hey, there's a rodeo coming up on the 5th,

[1:19:32] 6005th and 7th right where it's part where we are sending

[1:19:38] them it's more of us advertising right is is

[1:19:42] advertising on our faces of people. They're looking

[1:19:44] instead of people going looking for what the dates

[1:19:47] are. >> Is there anything anybody

[1:19:48] has anybody friended? The social media for visitors of

[1:19:50] the county? And do we promote okay, not what I Maybe overdo

[1:20:00] will what that meant. This like you know, like a lot of

[1:20:02] times when I'm glancing to Facebook.

[1:20:05] >> Automatically I have no intent looking for, but it

[1:20:07] just pops up right? So, you know, there's one website I

[1:20:11] talk about last time where somebody is using AI to tell

[1:20:15] the stories of whatever's happened in Okeechobee. It

[1:20:17] just pops up. I don't even follow them or anything like

[1:20:19] that. Is there anything the sources there were using for

[1:20:22] technology they can help. Put this information in front of

[1:20:28] people. Just glancing. That's what I meant.

[1:20:31] >> We can look into some sponsored ads. We do some

[1:20:33] sponsor Google already. With Angelina have been come on

[1:20:39] uttering them because we do spend a lot of money on them

[1:20:40] and we don't see quite a big return on them for the Google

[1:20:43] ads. Facebook has are a little bit harder for us to do

[1:20:46] because you're not able to restrict comments. If we turn

[1:20:49] Facebook sponsored ads on. And so right now the county policy

[1:20:53] is that we are to restrict comments for all county pages.

[1:21:01] >> Now, it just kind of care is because what that does is

[1:21:03] that reminds because I myself know there's an event coming

[1:21:07] in and the day of the completely forgot about it

[1:21:10] right. So now if it's right in front of your face with a lot

[1:21:14] of people are googling or searching or Okeechobee,

[1:21:16] traitors or whatever. And this pops up we've got rodeo going

[1:21:21] on or this week. We've got airport going on. Whatever.

[1:21:23] That's what I was kind of care when something comes up on

[1:21:27] your face. It's like, oh, maybe we can try this. But if

[1:21:30] people don't go searching for things, it has to be in front

[1:21:36] of you and people make instant decisions. Let's do this and

[1:21:38] not, you know, that's why I was wonder.

[1:21:41] >> We are trying to find some ways that we can get our Web

[1:21:44] site more integrated with Facebook because everything is

[1:21:46] on our website. So we've been trying to push that

[1:21:50] information out. We have partnered with Main Street.

[1:21:53] They are going to be doing like a visitor welcome bag for

[1:21:55] all of their main street events. So we plan to put

[1:21:58] cards in there with QR codes to our website. Things like

[1:22:00] that. We're trying to find some alternative solutions to

[1:22:02] getting our Web site out there. We don't have a ton of

[1:22:06] options just through social media. And another thing that

[1:22:09] Angela, 90 struggle with, too, is that some of these events.

[1:22:12] You know, it's up to them to promote their event and then

[1:22:14] we want to share that information. It's not up to us

[1:22:16] to promote someone else's event, a market for So we can

[1:22:21] only do with what we are provided with. Angela does

[1:22:24] also provide a newsletter. I think she gave it all to you

[1:22:27] guys today. We do have a substantial amount of

[1:22:30] subscribers on account and we actually send that out too. A

[1:22:35] lot of our at print advertising and other digital

[1:22:36] advertising. We perceive leads. And when we receive

[1:22:38] those leads, we upload them into our mail pick out. And

[1:22:41] once a month, Angeles sends out her newsletter with all

[1:22:44] the events, all the information that you'll find

[1:22:46] on that newsletter. We send that out to everyone in our

[1:22:48] system. So that we trying to find if you if there's any

[1:22:54] suggestions from the board, we are trying to find some out of

[1:22:56] the box suggestions to get. Okeechobee. This Okeechobee

[1:23:01] County website and app out there.

[1:23:04] >> We are going to request and they were letters that they do

[1:23:07] make a Facebook event. So at least when they go on Facebook

[1:23:09] and they look at events, they can see if the events that are

[1:23:13] there because a lot of them do not. And that might generate

[1:23:18] more population and Facebook for the pop up on different

[1:23:21] pages. >> there's a couple other

[1:23:22] things that we're going to asked them to do. We're going

[1:23:25] to ask them to promote our hotels, were going to send

[1:23:26] them links to our >> website. And that's that

[1:23:30] that be promoted on page as well.

[1:23:32] >> They create a page on for Facebook, Instagram. Yeah,

[1:23:35] we're going to request that. They

[1:23:38] >> create a Facebook event. so when people go, a lot of

[1:23:43] people go to the Facebook events to see what's going on

[1:23:44] in the area and that will pop up there where they can career

[1:23:48] like tdc represent like. >> You know, something like

[1:23:52] that on Facebook or Instagram where basically it's the same

[1:23:56] in for that you have. But is going to be in front of

[1:23:58] people. And that's what I was kind of thinking.

[1:24:01] >> If we were to create the Facebook events for them, we

[1:24:03] would need their permission because it is their event.

[1:24:07] >> So we're just advertising. It's like you know, a lot of

[1:24:11] you see Okeechobee traitors. And there's going to be ad

[1:24:14] from somebody that's going to say, hey, we got this event

[1:24:15] going. And we're not really promoting for them. But the

[1:24:19] fact that they're applying for grants that something that

[1:24:23] allows us promote as promote almost every event that we

[1:24:28] have. promote but we can like we can't do promotional at at

[1:24:31] this time because we can't turn comments off.

[1:24:34] >> But as soon we we can look into it would have to create a

[1:24:36] budget for it and everything. But yes.

[1:24:41] >> Well, creating their own event and Facebook will help

[1:24:42] them track their interest all. The people that except the

[1:24:46] attendance for the invite and to be beneficial for us go

[1:24:49] back and look, kind of people are interested having people

[1:24:52] be reached. That's >> Does that conclude are

Tourist Development Council

Agenda

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