Director of Tourism and Economic Development
Click for job description of new staff position-PDF
Click for job description of new staff position-PDF
Tourism, Occupancy Tax & The Tourism Development Authority (TDA)
Previous status: (prior to April 2010)
Southport has had a full-time Director of Tourism since October, 2000. The former Director of Tourism, Randy Jones, prepared the following job description:
Responsible for the visitor’s center, community building, film liaison, Downtown Southport, Inc.;
Works with ongoing events (NC 4th of July Festival, Summer Sunday Concerts & Entertainment, Memorial day Community Remembrance Service, Opera Outreach Program, NC Maritime Museum at Southport monthly programs, Southport Historic Society’s Christmas Tour of Homes, Christmas Flotilla, Community Choir Christmas Concert, Southport Waterfront Movies;
Serves on Boards: Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority, Downtown Southport, Inc., Brunswick County Volunteer Board, Old Baldy, Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse, Friends of the Maritime Museum
Present Finances for Tourism:
A 3% room occupancy tax (charged to visitors who rent lodging) has been levied since September 14, 1989. During the fiscal year end June 30, 2010 the occupancy tax generated $41,600 to the general fund while the total amount spent on tourism from the general fund was $168,700.
Previous status: (prior to April 2010)
Southport has had a full-time Director of Tourism since October, 2000. The former Director of Tourism, Randy Jones, prepared the following job description:
Responsible for the visitor’s center, community building, film liaison, Downtown Southport, Inc.;
Works with ongoing events (NC 4th of July Festival, Summer Sunday Concerts & Entertainment, Memorial day Community Remembrance Service, Opera Outreach Program, NC Maritime Museum at Southport monthly programs, Southport Historic Society’s Christmas Tour of Homes, Christmas Flotilla, Community Choir Christmas Concert, Southport Waterfront Movies;
Serves on Boards: Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority, Downtown Southport, Inc., Brunswick County Volunteer Board, Old Baldy, Friends of Oak Island Lighthouse, Friends of the Maritime Museum
Present Finances for Tourism:
A 3% room occupancy tax (charged to visitors who rent lodging) has been levied since September 14, 1989. During the fiscal year end June 30, 2010 the occupancy tax generated $41,600 to the general fund while the total amount spent on tourism from the general fund was $168,700.
Proposed Changes: Click Here For Job Description for Director of Tourism and Economic Development-approved 1/13/2010
The Tourism committee recommended that the position of Director of Tourism be expanded to Director of Economic and Tourism Development with responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to help retain existing businesses and bring in tourists and new businesses. The committee recommended that the director be assisted by a Tourism Development Authority (TDA).
TDA is a public authority under the Local Government Budget and Fiscal control Act and is described in the General Assembly of NC Session 2001 House bill 1668 (Click here for text of original State Bill for TDA and occupancy tax) .
Although this act authorized a 2% increase in the occupancy tax, the increase does not need to be levied in order to form the TDA.
The TDA would be funded by the occupancy tax (3% since 1989) levied on visitors to the city who rent lodging. The TDA would ensure that monies generated by the occupancy tax are used for promotion of Southport and managed by individuals who are directly involved with the business of tourism.. (Click here for State Statute for Occupancy Tax)
House Bill 1668 defines the makeup and fiscal responsibility of the TDA:
The Tourism committee recommended that the position of Director of Tourism be expanded to Director of Economic and Tourism Development with responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to help retain existing businesses and bring in tourists and new businesses. The committee recommended that the director be assisted by a Tourism Development Authority (TDA).
TDA is a public authority under the Local Government Budget and Fiscal control Act and is described in the General Assembly of NC Session 2001 House bill 1668 (Click here for text of original State Bill for TDA and occupancy tax) .
Although this act authorized a 2% increase in the occupancy tax, the increase does not need to be levied in order to form the TDA.
The TDA would be funded by the occupancy tax (3% since 1989) levied on visitors to the city who rent lodging. The TDA would ensure that monies generated by the occupancy tax are used for promotion of Southport and managed by individuals who are directly involved with the business of tourism.. (Click here for State Statute for Occupancy Tax)
House Bill 1668 defines the makeup and fiscal responsibility of the TDA:
· At least 1/3 of the members must be individuals who are affiliated with businesses that collect [occupancy] tax in the city.At least 3/4 of the members must be individuals who are currently active in the promotion of travel and tourism.
· These TDA members are appointed by the Board of Aldermen and report to the Board at least once per year.
· The TDA must use at least 2/3 of the funds remitted to it to promote travel and tourism (advertising, attract tourists, etc) and use the remainder for tourism-related expenditures (increase the use of lodging facilities, meeting facilities or convention facilities, or to attract tourist or business travelers).
References: Randy Jones report to Aldermen, January 2010
General Assembly of North Carolina Session 2001 House Bill 1668
City of Southport Budget 2010-2011