Gobble, gobble, gobble.
The month that delivered Thanksgiving feasts also delivered a bounty of tourist tax dollars.
The Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office released November 2021 collection numbers for the tourist development tax or bed tax — the 5% tax collected on overnight rentals of six months or less.
The second month of the 2021-22 fiscal year generated $1,432,990 in tourist tax revenue in Manatee County.
The amount is 47.33% more than the $972,617 generated in November 2020 but $4,384 less than the amount collected in October 2021.
October’s numbers also were strong — $1,437,374 collected compared with $954,681.99 in October 2020.
Holmes Beach topped collections on Anna Maria Island in November, generating $435,520, about 30% of the total.
Anna Maria accounted for about 8.37% of the November tax, bringing in $120,008, and Bradenton Beach generated $74,231 or 5.18%.
Some other numbers for November:
- Unincorporated Manatee County generated $540,696 or 37.73%.
- Bradenton generated $131,922 or 9.21%;
- Longboat Key generated $126,188 or 8.81%;
- Palmetto generated $4,493 or 0.31%.
The collection fee or commission on the tax is 3%, leaving the net collection for the Manatee County Tourist Development Council in October at $1,390,069.
According to state law, resort tax revenues must be used to boost and develop tourism, which, in Manatee County, includes funding for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Bradenton Area Convention Center and tourism-related entities such as Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as supporting projects, such as island beach renourishment and a contribution to the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier.
The TDC recommends how to spend the money to the county commission.
The December numbers will be released in early February.
November tourist tax collections
November 2017: $717,145
November 2018: $785,050
November 2019: $857,410
November 2020: $972,617
November 2021: $1,432,990
Source: Manatee County Tax Collector