Manatee County pulled in $2,179,776 in “bed tax” revenue in May — a record for the month.
The May 2024 figure topped last year’s record-setting May by 8.7%.
May collections actually have been marching upward after the first year of the pandemic in 2020, when the dollars plummeted by half from May 2019’s $1,093,870.
The resort tax, bed tax or tourist development tax is a 5% levy on accommodations of six months or less.
The county has grossed $21,743,113 in tax revenue from October 2023 to May 31.
The step-back picture for 2023-24 is that the tourist development tax revenues have been inconsistent, with some months up and some down based on data released July 2 by the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office.
October, November, December, January and April were down in tax collections compared to the same months in 2022-23, while February, March and May were up.
Unincorporated Manatee County was the highest-grossing region in May, bringing in $779,195 or 35.48% of the total.
Holmes Beach brought in $600,168 or 27.65%.
Anna Maria grossed $318,188 or 14.66% and Bradenton Beach accommodations generated $112,803 or 5.2%.
More May statistics:
- Longboat Key generated $188,983 or 8.71%;
- Bradenton generated $175,410 or 8.08%;
- Palmetto generated $5,127 or 0.24%.
The tax collector receives a 3% administrative fee, putting the county’s net revenue for May at $2,105,747.
The Manatee County Tourist Development Council advises the county commission on how to spend the tax revenue, which by law must go to bolstering tourism.
TDT money supports the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and also goes to the Bradenton Area Convention Center, Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
TDT money also is used to renourish beaches, as well as special projects, including the ferry service between the island and downtown Bradenton.
June data will be released in early August.
The next TDC meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
Top month in 2023-24
The tourist development tax collections from March were the highest to date for the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30. Revenues for the month, which included spring break and Easter week, were $5,303,173.
May tourist tax collections
May 2020: $558,014
May 2021: $1,981,649
May 2022: $1,990,641
May 2023: $1,997,077
May 2024: $2,179,776
Source: Manatee County Tax Collector