MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners made several recommendations at their Wednesday meeting to be delivered to the Tourist Development Council (TDC) board of directors after a Clerk of Court audit brought numerous discrepancies that need further clarification and investigation. The TDC is a 9-member advisory board of the County. TDC Board Chairwoman Rita Irwin attended the meeting. “We want to cooperate, we want to be better, and we want to look at this as an opportunity,” she said. “We have grown so quickly that we recognize that we need to make changes, be fluid, and be transparent with taxpayer dollars.” The commissioners voted to exercise its statutory authority to hire an outside firm, Cherry Bekaert, to audit the books and accounts of the TDC. The commission also voted to recommend that the TDC hire the same firm to provide temporary financial and management assistance to the TDC and Visit Florida Keys, the nonprofit that employs TDC staff. Finally, the commissioners voted to recommend that the TDC place the marketing director, Stacey Mitchell, on administrative leave with pay pending the completion of the audit and future recommendations of the board. Cherry Bekaert representatives at the meeting said they would lay out a plan to understand the organization and work to keep the day-to-day operations intact for the upcoming season while prioritizing identifying and closing gaps. The TDC board will meet on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. at Double Tree Resort in Key West to discuss the audit and the BOCC’s recommendations. The meeting is open to the public and will be in person only.
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The Florida Keys Council of the Arts invites visual artists and writers to submit artwork and articles for Culture 2024 Magazine, a publication of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Tinsley Advertising and the Cultural Umbrella of the Florida Keys & Key West.
The Culture Magazine is a freestanding publication distributed throughout the Keys and is inserted into the In-room Concierge in over 3,900 guestrooms reaching over 500,000 visitors annually. The magazine includes information on the Keys' performing, literary and visual arts, a calendar of events and advertisements. Call to Visual Artists Artwork selected for the cover will receive $1,200 for one-time usage in Culture Magazine 2024. (Additional artwork chosen for the magazine will receive a caption with artists' name.) Both vertical and horizontal images may be submitted. Only online applications will be accepted. Artists may submit up to three images by completing the online application. Please name your uploaded files as instructed in the application. Due by February 27, 2023 at midnight. To apply, click here. Call to Writers Two Florida Keys writers will be selected and paid a $1,200 each for research, writing, related photography and any necessary revising (based on recommendations from the committee) of an article of approximately 1,200 words. Articles assigned will be factual, informational and primarily designed to introduce visitors to the art, culture and heritage of the Florida Keys. Writers may choose from these topics: 1. Theaters of The Keys Theaters and performing arts throughout the destination: musicals, dramas and comedies, dance and music, too! 2. Key Lime Pie A Florida Keys favorite. The history of Key Lime pie and the best places to grab a slice throughout the Keys. Due by February 27, 2023 at midnight. To apply, click here. |
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