Flagler County is searching for ways to help fund its beach restoration efforts.

  • Local businesses are largely supporting penny tax
  • Extra money would benefit Flagler beaches
  • Experts say tax would only add $1 onto guest rooms per night

The ocean view and the sand are the main attractions for local businesses like the White Orchid Beachfront Inn and Spa's, owned by Heather Hodovance.  

Hodovance says she wants to do her part to help restore the beaches after Hurricane Matthew left the county's coastline in bad shape.

"It's a special thing that we need to protect," said Hodovance.

Monday the Tourism Development Council unanimously voted on a penny tax. Now the TDC is hoping the county will approve an additional tourism development penny tax from four to five percent to help with restoration costs.

"We don't mind contributing extra money, that's why people want to come to our hotel is to enjoy the beach," said Hodovance.

Palm Coast and Flagler Beaches Executive Director Matt Dunn said 40 hotels and lodging properties would contribute to the bed tax.

"We would apply one full penny for 20 percent of the tax that's collected into the beach restoration fund to help restablish our coastline," said Dunn.  

Dunn said if the tax is approved, it would cost a tourist less than an extra dollar on their rooms per night but will bring in $1.8 million in two years to restore the beaches.

"We know that the beaches are our No. 1 visitor asset and we want to protect it and we want to make sure that we're doing everything that we can to rebuild as quickly as possible," said Dunn.

The goal is to add at least a half million to the beach restoration fund every year after the first two. The other percentage of the tourism tax dollars also go toward promotions and capital projects.

Hodovance said to not fix up the beach would take away customers and jobs so the beach has to be preserved.

"It's important to bring it back to get it established and grown before a big storm comes," said Hodovance. 

The tax dollars would go toward helping Flagler Beach, Beverly Beach, and other coastal areas in the county. Commissioners could vote on the tax as soon as March 6.