TDC and EDC Incorporated into the Chamber of Commerce?

[GoodWitch58]

I read in a WZEP News email that the County Commissioners were hearing requests to put the Tourist Development Council under the supervision of the Chamber of Commerce due to the abrupt retirement of the former TDC director...and I heard that the Economic Development office is already under the Chamber.

Does anyone else find this strange? I thought both the TDC and the EDC were "county" entities that worked on behalf of the County, utilized County funds, employed (in the case of the TDC) personnel who are considered County employees, and the Executive Director reported to the BCC.


And that the Chamber of Commerce is a business association...

so, if the above is correct, then how can the Board of County Commissioners consider putting the TDC under the direction of the Chamber of Commerce?

Can anyone enlighten me? WCTA, maybe?

[WCTA]

I read in a WZEP News email that the County Commissioners were hearing requests to put the Tourist Development Council under the supervision of the Chamber of Commerce due to the abrupt retirement of the former TDC director...and I heard that the Economic Development office is already under the Chamber.

Does anyone else find this strange? I thought both the TDC and the EDC were "county" entities that worked on behalf of the County, utilized County funds, employed (in the case of the TDC) personnel who are considered County employees, and the Executive Director reported to the BCC.


And that the Chamber of Commerce is a business association...

so, if the above is correct, then how can the Board of County Commissioners consider putting the TDC under the direction of the Chamber of Commerce?

Can anyone enlighten me? WCTA, maybe?

At the BCC meeting last evening a motion was made by Commissioner C Jones to enter into a contract with the Chamber to manage the TDC operations.

We were there and read a resolution from our Executive Committee
that opposed any move to place the operations in any type of public/private organization.

The original motion and 4-1 vote was rescinded and after taking public input on the issue with about 10-12 people from the Chamber speaking in support and 5 members of the TDC board that expressed a need for autonomy. Some TDC Board members spoke in favor of the Chamber involvement.

The final motion made by Commissioner C Jones was for the legal department to come back with a proposed agreement for the Chamber to manage the operations on a "interim" basis and to begin the process of advertising for a new TDC director on a Regional and National basis. They requested that the agreement be completed in time for presentation at the April 27th BCC meeting in DeFuniak Springs.

THE WCTA also made 4 other recommendations.

1. To conduct a forensic audit of all credit card activity back to 4/2007. ( The BCC is now in the process of retaining Carr, Riggs and Ingram to do exactly that. This was decided after a review of credit card bills by the Office of Management and Budget found sufficient questionable charges to warrant an outside audit.

2. Suspend all use of TDC credit cards until a thorough review of the internal control policies was conducted and adequate "oversight procedures" were developed.

3. That a review of all contracts in place be conducted specifically inter-locking ownerships, boards and ownership within contracted services.


4. That a review of the current Board composition be made considering the lack of governance and fiscal due-diligence.

The County created a public/private partnership for Economic Development in Walton County. It has a separate Board and is under the umbrella of the Walton Area Chamber.

Hope this helps.

[GoodWitch58]

yeah, it does some....

what I am puzzled by though is why the County Commissioners- elected to run the County, a local government entity, would think it appropriate to place one ( or two) of its Councils into a private business association?

Is there a reasonable explanation for their thinking?

What am I missing here? Is that even legal? Does the County Commission have that authority? I thought the TDC was governed by statute? No?

(County tourism promotion agencies are clearly designated county agencies by the terms of s. 125.0104(9), F.S.)

[DuneLaker]

That's a lot of money to be flip flopping around. Anyone know current value of TDC coffers and bed tax take? What banks would be involved? Guess this big infusion of cash could possibly help the Chamber's bottom line and any banker friends they have. Would this open Chamber to complying with open meeting and sunshine laws if they don't already? I'm sure this will all be explained soon.

[mary=ykristine]

I read in a WZEP News email that the County Commissioners were hearing requests to put the Tourist Development Council under the supervision of the Chamber of Commerce due to the abrupt retirement of the former TDC director...and I heard that the Economic Development office is already under the Chamber.

Does anyone else find this strange? I thought both the TDC and the EDC were "county" entities that worked on behalf of the County, utilized County funds, employed (in the case of the TDC) personnel who are considered County employees, and the Executive Director reported to the BCC.


And that the Chamber of Commerce is a business association...

so, if the above is correct, then how can the Board of County Commissioners consider putting the TDC under the direction of the Chamber of Commerce?

Can anyone enlighten me? WCTA, maybe?

The Statute allows to promote and advertise tourism in the Stae of Florida and nationally and internationally: however tax revenues ar expended for an activity,service,venue,or event the activity ,service,venue,or event shall have as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourist as evidence by the activity,service,venue,or event to tourist: further the tax can fund convention bureaus,tourist bureaus,tourist information centers, and news bureaus as county agencies or by contract with chambers of commerce or similar associations in the county which may include indirect administrative costs for services performed by the county on the behalf of the promotion agency

[scooterbug44]

I for one find it very sketchy - especially considering the level of cronyism between those groups.

[Here4Good]

I'm glad someone brought this up (and that the WCTA has given an explanation); I saw this in today's WZEP news blast and thought it just sounded like the commissioners were being lazy or were being pretty off-handed with a major budget item.

The issues with the credit card spending, along with what has come to light concerning the garbage contracts, leads me to believe that perhaps some parts of our county government aren't as careful as they should be with controls.

I am glad that the WCTA was there to stop this, and that they know that someone is watching.

[Here4Good]

Who is on the TDC board? I went to the Walton Cty website, and that page is blank.

[whaddyasay]

This stinks to high heaven. There was a well coordinated consortium at the meeting to try to push this through without discussion or citizen input. In fact the first vote was rescinded because there had not been any discussion by citizens. The BCC was asked to vote on an agreement that DOES NOT EXIST. Cecelia Jones made two motions to allow Dawn Moliterno to take over the TDC without the first mention as to how much we, the citizens of Walton Co, were going to pay Ms. Moliterno to manage a county organization that does not need a management company! Larry Jones was the one commissioner who said he wouldn't vote for something he didn't know the details about. What is going on here?

[Here4Good]

I asked Ms. Jones, but she didn't answer that question exactly, so I have asked her again. I am not clear on whether they are talking about hiring Dawn Moliterno as interim director, or hiring the Chamber to manage the TDC.

[rapunzel]

Isn't the TDC managed by the TDC? It's a council -- the membership of the TDC is spelled out in statute, and there is a position on the Council designated to be filled by a county commissioner. The Tourist Development Council is a committee, and they hire an Executive Director to oversee day to day operations. However, the council members are responsible for the TDC operations by statute.

It seems like there has been a witch hunt at the TDC. I know a few members of the board have been removed. The whole "scandal" about Sonny Mares using a black taxi to go from the airport to his hotel in London (one would presume he had bags and didn't know his way around London) and had a $500 dinner at Seagar's while entertaining a consultant to has brought hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding to the county. Was there a policy and procedure in place limiting entertainment expenses? It seems a bit unfair to scream "gotcha!" when there has been no policy in place.

There seems to be a huge double standard between public and private money. I recently had a discussion with a conservative friend who claimed to be scandalized by the $500 dinner at Saegar's, but untroubled by FRP Chair John Thrasher's $20,000 bill at a London hotel that was put on a junior staffer's credit card because that was "private money." Well, the Chamber is a private entity as well. Are Dawn Moliterno's expenses going to be audited as well? What policy and procedure is being used by Carr, Riggs and Ingram to determine which expenditures are suspicious? Will they be going back to look at Chris Titus' expenses to verify this was not standard procedure for the TDC to entertain out of town consultants? I think this would be particularly important if there are no specific p&p's regarding reimbursable expenses.

Back during the blue sign hubbaloo, it was easy to find a list of TDC members and their budget through a quick google search. Now, I'm not able to find numbers (or even my post from the spring of 2008 on this forum) for the budget or membership. I remember the tourist tax generating about $12 million dollars. That's a pretty substantial budget to entrust to a private, non-elected entity. And given the position on the Airport board, it might be a bit too much of a concentration of power.

[GoodWitch58]

I certainly think the BCC and the TDC need to look carefully and think transparency here.

I can not believe there is any good to come from having this entire operation changed in such a cavalier way...

And, I have to question the fact that one person can manage all the jobs...at the same time, when before there apparently was a need for a director of each.

What on earth is going on?

[scooterbug44]

I know part of it is my perspective, but it seems like we are constantly hearing about suspicious expenditures.

[whaddyasay]

yeah, it does some....

what I am puzzled by though is why the County Commissioners- elected to run the County, a local government entity, would think it appropriate to place one ( or two) of its Councils into a private business association?

Is there a reasonable explanation for their thinking?

What am I missing here? Is that even legal? Does the County Commission have that authority? I thought the TDC was governed by statute? No?

(County tourism promotion agencies are clearly designated county agencies by the terms of s. 125.0104(9), F.S.)

GOOD QUESTION: What am I missing here? WAY too big a decision to make on such short notice. At one point Cecelia Jones asked that Scott Brannon be given the power to OK the non-existent contract WITHOUT ANOTHER BOARD MEETING. What??????

[WCTA]

This stinks to high heaven. There was a well coordinated consortium at the meeting to try to push this through without discussion or citizen input. In fact the first vote was rescinded because there had not been any discussion by citizens. The BCC was asked to vote on an agreement that DOES NOT EXIST. Cecelia Jones made two motions to allow Dawn Moliterno to take over the TDC without the first mention as to how much we, the citizens of Walton Co, were going to pay Ms. Moliterno to manage a county organization that does not need a management company! Larry Jones was the one commissioner who said he wouldn't vote for something he didn't know the details about. What is going on here?

If you were there you heard the discussion about an agreement that was distributed to at least some of the TDC Board last week. After making multiple public record requests and being told that no such document existed - a kind soul provide a copy that they received on last Saturday.

Although it is a draft with certain info to be filled in, it shows that those who claimed that the idea to place the TDC under control of the Chamber was in motion, prior to the HR Directors request for guidance and Commissioner C Jones read her written motion.

The BCC needs to hire a new script writer - this last episode was poorly written and executed. Every punch was telegraphed.

The WCTA was repeatedly told no such document or draft existed by the Legal Department, TDC and Chamber.

It appears that we have a CZAR in Walton County that acts without direction, approval or authority. That same CZAR gave County Commissioners free Medical Insurance and simply sent them an email informing them of his action, has now decided to orchestrate an consolidation of additional delivery of key and vital services under the Chamber umbrella all prior to any county commissioner having knowledge of the plan.


Agreement.pdf

[GoodWitch58]

If you were there you heard the discussion about an agreement that was distributed to at least some of the TDC Board last week. After making multiple public record requests and being told that no such document existed - a kind soul provide a copy that they received on last Saturday.

Although it is a draft with certain info to be filled in, it shows that those who claimed that the idea to place the TDC under control of the Chamber was in motion, prior to the HR Directors request for guidance and Commissioner C Jones read her written motion.

The BCC needs to hire a new script writer - this last episode was poorly written and executed. Every punch was telegraphed.

The WCTA was repeatedly told no such document or draft existed by the Legal Department, TDC and Chamber.

It appears that we have a CZAR in Walton County that acts without direction, approval or authority. That same CZAR gave County Commissioners free Medical Insurance and simply sent them an email informing them of his action, has now decided to orchestrate an consolidation of additional delivery of key and vital services under the Chamber umbrella all prior to any county commissioner having knowledge of the plan.


Agreement.pdf

Are we citizens of this county really going to stand for this?

[WCTA]

Isn't the TDC managed by the TDC? It's a council -- the membership of the TDC is spelled out in statute, and there is a position on the Council designated to be filled by a county commissioner. The Tourist Development Council is a committee, and they hire an Executive Director to oversee day to day operations. However, the council members are responsible for the TDC operations by statute.

It seems like there has been a witch hunt at the TDC. I know a few members of the board have been removed. The whole "scandal" about Sonny Mares using a black taxi to go from the airport to his hotel in London (one would presume he had bags and didn't know his way around London) and had a $500 dinner at Seagar's while entertaining a consultant to has brought hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding to the county. Was there a policy and procedure in place limiting entertainment expenses? It seems a bit unfair to scream "gotcha!" when there has been no policy in place.

There seems to be a huge double standard between public and private money. I recently had a discussion with a conservative friend who claimed to be scandalized by the $500 dinner at Saegar's, but untroubled by FRP Chair John Thrasher's $20,000 bill at a London hotel that was put on a junior staffer's credit card because that was "private money." Well, the Chamber is a private entity as well. Are Dawn Moliterno's expenses going to be audited as well? What policy and procedure is being used by Carr, Riggs and Ingram to determine which expenditures are suspicious? Will they be going back to look at Chris Titus' expenses to verify this was not standard procedure for the TDC to entertain out of town consultants? I think this would be particularly important if there are no specific p&p's regarding reimbursable expenses.

Back during the blue sign hubbaloo, it was easy to find a list of TDC members and their budget through a quick google search. Now, I'm not able to find numbers (or even my post from the spring of 2008 on this forum) for the budget or membership. I remember the tourist tax generating about $12 million dollars. That's a pretty substantial budget to entrust to a private, non-elected entity. And given the position on the Airport board, it might be a bit too much of a concentration of power.

Maybe it wasn't a witch hunt.

You might find these tax liens interesting.

January Lien.pdf

January State Lien.pdf

State Non-payment.pdf

TDC Non-payment.pdf

Owner - none other than the then Treasurer of the TDC. If I remember correctly MS Brown was promoting an increase in the bed tax, but fell just a little behind in forwarding those taxes collected by her firm to the State of Florida and TDC.

[rapunzel]

Wow. Mary Brown wasn't the person I was thinking of, but that is truly shocking. Okay...no witch hunt there.

As for the phantom contract, that is completely unbelievable. Do the Sunshine laws have no teeth at all?

Has any Chamber ever taken on the responsibilities of a governmental entity? And how is this different from the Coastal Vision 3000 group that was thwarted in their attempts to act as an unelected, private group with governmental authority?

I have nothing against the Chamber or it's director, I just think this situation is too odd to be kosher. A Chamber advocates for it's paid members not the general citizenry.

[John R]

Coastal Vision 3000 group that was thwarted in their attempts to act as an unelected, private group with governmental authority?

Can you discuss this with a little more detail? I was unaware of this part.

[Here4Good]

Cecelia Jones provided me with the board members:

Scott Brannon
Don McQuade
Tim Norris
Steven Hilliard
Jennifer Steele Saunders
Ken Gifford
Maurice D. Gilbert
May Jo Tommas
Mike Stange

Their entire budget is $12 million, 31 employees, but I cannot find their specific budget for 2010.

I cannot fathom handing over a $12 million budget on the basis of a page and a half contract.

Oh, wait, we have no attorney right now, so who wrote the contract?

[SGB]

Maybe it wasn't a witch hunt.

You might find these tax liens interesting.

January Lien.pdf

January State Lien.pdf

State Non-payment.pdf

TDC Non-payment.pdf

Owner - none other than the then Treasurer of the TDC. If I remember correctly MS Brown was promoting an increase in the bed tax, but fell just a little behind in forwarding those taxes collected by her firm to the State of Florida and TDC.

This is really shocking. They sure collected the taxes for my rental when we had it with them and it disgusts me that they didn't pay them to the proper entities.

[NotDeadYet]

Wow. Mary Brown wasn't the person I was thinking of, but that is truly shocking. Okay...no witch hunt there.

As for the phantom contract, that is completely unbelievable. Do the Sunshine laws have no teeth at all?

Has any Chamber ever taken on the responsibilities of a governmental entity? And how is this different from the Coastal Vision 3000 group that was thwarted in their attempts to act as an unelected, private group with governmental authority?

I have nothing against the Chamber or it's director, I just think this situation is too odd to be kosher. A Chamber advocates for it's paid members not the general citizenry.

It is shocking. But Rapunzel asks some really pertinent questions. Regardless of the reasons for shaking things up at the TDC, is this the solution??

[sharris827]

I asked Ms. Jones, but she didn't answer that question exactly, so I have asked her again. I am not clear on whether they are talking about hiring Dawn Moliterno as interim director, or hiring the Chamber to manage the TDC.

Cecelia does not have a clue. She just made the motion she was told to make. Then when questions started flying it was plain she knew NOTHING.

[Jennifer Steele]

I am a second year member of the TDC, and I encourage you to write/email/call your commissioners if you disagree with the public/private partnership. The TDC executive director answers directly to the BCC, and the TDC (advisory board) has no control over personnel. However, most of the Council members were present at the BCC meeting and vocalized our opinions to the commissioners, the majority in opposition to the partnership.

[Busta Hustle]

historically chambers lobby governments on behalf of their largest member contributors. The National Chapter seems to be doing lots of bank "reform" lobbying on behalf of the banks.

On a local level now might be a good time to do a 2 column TDC and Chamber list and do the old line drawing to connect side TDC to side CofC...

and just for fun maybe a 3 column connection including BCC

[scooterbug44]

I cannot believe they think this is a good idea - especially considering all of the issues and scandals we have had lately.

Best analogy I can come up with is the farmer putting the fox in charge of the henhouse, burning every record/receipt, and taking up skydiving with a parachute he sews himself.

[Here4Good]

Walton may ask chamber to control TDC | chamber, tdc, walton - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

I had asked my commissioner whether the plan was to hire Dawn Moliterno as the interim director or sign contract with the Chamber, and was told the plan was to hire Dawn Moliterno as the interim.

This article clearly states that the opposite is true.

Is this even legal?

[DuneLaker]

The NWFL Daily News has one of their lead reporters on this story. Maybe he'll be interviewing in the daylight and reporting on more people involved in this. Doesn't mention in this story, but did in others, that current and longtime professional TDC employee Tracy Louthian is serving in an interim capacity. She's not costing the TDC or county any extra money as far as I know. The TDC has a well trained and professional staff that will do just fine until a search can be done for a new permanent leader.

[Murray Balkcom]

“We must have a top professional to fill the vacancy (left by Mares’ retirement). Not an available entity that does not have the expertise necessary to compete in the lucrative but highly competitive industry.”

Does this mean that they think Tracy is unqualified to serve as interim director through the season? If I correctly recall, Sonny was promoted from within to interim director, while the County looked for a "qualified person," for Director. Then, after not finding one on their search, they promoted Sonny to Director.

I know very little about Tracy. Maybe she doesn't want that job, and hence the search for someone else to be interim dirctor. However, Tracy has been with the TDC for several years, if my memory serves me correctly, amd seems to be very smart, and I think she is likely capable of acting as interim director for the season. I'd be interested in hearing from more TDC board members on their opinion.

[Andy A]

Does this mean that they think Tracy is unqualified to serve as interim director through the season? If I correctly recall, Sonny was promoted from within to interim director, while the County looked for a "qualified person," for Director. Then, after not finding one on their search, they promoted Sonny to Director.

I know very little about Tracy. Maybe she doesn't want that job, and hence the search for someone else to be interim dirctor. However, Tracy has been with the TDC for several years, if my memory serves me correctly, amd seems to be very smart, and I think she is likely capable of acting as interim director for the season. I'd be interested in hearing from more TDC board members on their opinion.

These would also be my questions. Tracy has acted as interim director at least twice now if my memory serves me correctly. She has been there for many years and knows the ins and outs of tourism in Walton County. What gives?

[scooterbug44]

I find it very hard to believe given the current economy/unemployment rate that we can't easily fill this position with a qualified person and have Tracy be interim director during the short search.

Maybe the "criteria" for filling this position needs to be examined or made public. From what I know of the salary and benefits (even if we take away the trips to Europe, limos, and $500 dinner tabs) qualified people should be lining up!

[Here4Good]

I cannot remember this county ever staging a successful candidate search for any position. The Fire Department did, when they hired their new chief, but the Commissioners have never done it. They filled the County Attorney spot with a local law firm, and now it is empty again and we have an "interim" attorney (who I am sure is very smart, but graduated from law school in 2007).

When the TDC job was opened the last time, it ended up being filled by the "interim". When the county administrator's job became available, the "interim" was named permanent about 6 months after being named interim.

I am not aware of any actual candidate search or major hiring that this commission has done in the last five to six years.

I am beginning to think that they are just being lazy.

[lazin&drinkin]

I cannot remember this county ever staging a successful candidate search for any position. The Fire Department did, when they hired their new chief, but the Commissioners have never done it. They filled the County Attorney spot with a local law firm, and now it is empty again and we have an "interim" attorney (who I am sure is very smart, but graduated from law school in 2007).

When the TDC job was opened the last time, it ended up being filled by the "interim". When the county administrator's job became available, the "interim" was named permanent about 6 months after being named interim.

I am not aware of any actual candidate search or major hiring that this commission has done in the last five to six years.

I am beginning to think that they are just being lazy.

Lazy? Watching them in action for the first time brought to mind clumsy, incompetent, and arrogant, and the degree of development of those qualities seemed to have required some effort. So, no, I don't think lazy is the right term.

[kurt]

Walton County, FL - Home Page - Tourist Delevopment Council Members

Tourist Development Council Members

Scott Brannon
Commissioner, District 1
415 Highway 20 East
Freeport, Fl. 32439
brascott@co.walton.fl.us

Don McQuade
Sand Castles Resorts and Hotels
4393 Commons Drive East
Suite 207
Destin, Fl. 32541
dmcquade@sandcastlehotels.com

Tim Norris
RE/MAX Paradise Properties
12815 Highway 98 West
Suite 106
Destin, Fl. 32541
timnorris@earthlink.net

Steven Hilliard
Vice President, Resort and Club Operations
The St. Joe Company
133-C South Water Sound Parkway
Water Sound, Fl. 32413
Stephen.hillard@joe.com

Jennifer Steele Saunders
Executive Director, Cultural Arts Association
2282 Scenic Highway 30-A West
Santa Rosa Beach, Fl. 32459
culturalartsed@embarqmail.com

Ken Gifford
Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Co.
Vice President/Managing Director
P.O. Box 611040
Rosemary Beach, Fl. 32461
kengifford@rosemarybeach.com

Maurice D. Gilbert
Seacrest Beach Realty
9961 East Highway 30-A
Seacrest Beach, Fl. 32413
sandbroker@aol.com

Mary Jo Tommas
General Manager, One Seagrove Place
4100 East Scenic Highway 30-A
Seagrove Beach, Fl. 32459
mj@oneseagroveplace.com

Mike Strange
27 Sandestin Estates
Destin, Fl. 32550
mstang1212@gmail.com

[Here4Good]

Where did you get that link? It doesn't work.

[Andy A]

Lazy? Watching them in action for the first time brought to mind clumsy, incompetent, and arrogant, and the degree of development of those qualities seemed to have required some effort. So, no, I don't think lazy is the right term.

I don't think lazy is the right word, either. You must have caught them on a bad night but then, it was your first meeting. Maybe you'll think they improved after you have attended, say ten, or more. I usually find them questioning of issues, thoughtful and respectable toward any who has something to say. Do I agree with all their decisions, no but after attending BCC meetings with regularity for many years, I certainly wouldn't classify them as "clumsy, incompetent and arrogant" though considering some of the responses they get from citizens on occasion, I can undrstand why once in awhile they might be considered arrogant. Pissed off might be a better term.

[Jennifer Steele]

I can be reached at culturalartsed@embarqmail.com. I no longer use the gmail account.

[kurt]

I can be reached at culturalartsed@embarqmail.com. I no longer use the gmail account.

Thanks - I edited your contact email.

[wrobert]

Wouldn't all their emails,phone logs and meetings concerning this issue be open for public disclosure? As Public Employees I think they are.
One of the most corrupt deals I've every seen here. I Say Again Vote these Douches out!

Yes.

Yes.

All you got to do is ask, thanks to Suzanne.

Corrupt? Don't see it. A bit orchestrated? Absolutely.

[Interested Girl]

[ShallowsNole]

Nice PhotoShop job! Glad to see other folks have time for hobbies.