TDC could decide ZOO’s fate

The Santa Rosa County Commission won’t subsidize The ZOO Northwest Florida this year; instead, it voted Monday to recommend the Tourist Development Council use its reserves to help the struggling operation.

“The ZOO is tourism development, it is economic development, that’s where the money should come from,”  Commissioner Bob Cole said.

Danyelle Lantz, The ZOO’s executive director, had asked for $125,000 to help meet operating expenses while zoo officials seek other funding sources to help retire The ZOO’s debt. The Escambia County and Santa Rosa County commissions committed $125,000 each last year for the same purpose. The Escambia commission has shown a willingness to provide some assistance, but it decided last week to wait until Santa Rosa acts.

Laurie Gallup, who owns Navarre Properties Inc. on Navarre Beach, told the commission the TDC has about $667,000 in reserve and told them state law allows tourist-development taxes – so-called bed taxes – to be used to support zoos.

Ensuing discussion persuaded the commission to vote 3-1-1 to recommend to the TDC board that it fund The ZOO’s request. Commissioner Lane Lynchard opposed the motion because he said the TDC already had the authority to decide whether to support The ZOO. Commissioner Gordon Goodin abstained because of a business relationship with one of the zoo’s directors.