Bradenton Beach city commissioners met in a workshop Sept. 20 to discuss floating an appeal past county officials for funding to replace the damaged day dock at the Historic Bridge Street Pier.
The day dock allows boaters to easily pull up and embark passengers.
To secure tourist tax funding, the city must first present a proposal to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council, which is a recommending body for the county commission on spending the tourist development tax.
The 5 percent tax is collected on rentals of six months or more by the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office.
On Sept. 7, Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon said he spoke with Elliott Falcione, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, regarding TDC supported funding for the pier.
The BACVB is funded by the TDC.
Instead of the county matching funds for 50 percent of the day dock costs, Shearon said the TDC may consider fully funding the day dock if the city incorporates a mooring field in the anchorage area south of the pier.
At their Sept. 20 workshop, commissioners determined a mooring field is not worth pursuing and decided instead to draft a request for 50 percent funding for the day dock replacement.
The commission voted 3-1 to draft the proposal, with Commissioner Ralph Cole casting the only dissenting vote.
Vice Mayor Ed Straight was absent with excuse.
The final draft of the day dock funding proposal will be presented by Shearon to the TDC at its next meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at the county chambers, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.