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Want Peg Leg Pete fixed? 1% of our bed tax funds can do it
Commentary
But instead, Mayor James Antun has been reduced to launching a community fundraising drive to save one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. The city’s budget has no room for the repair, and the county’s bed-tax allocations as usual offer no help.
The bed tax numbers speak for themselves. According to the Nassau County 2025–26 budget, the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (AITDC) will spend this year’s $12 million bed-tax revenue on:
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$5 million to Starmark International for paid media buying/creative development
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$2.1 million for trade shows and international travel
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$1.6 million for research/administration
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$500,000 for Dickens on Centre Street
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$485,000 on beach cleanup
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$170,000 to Hayworth Creative, a PR firm to work with local industry partners and media
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$102,000 to Florida First Coast Golf for regional golf tourism marketing
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$250,000 to Cellet Travel Services for destination marketing
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$250,000 Fernandina Beach Main Street
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$250,000 Annual Shrimp Drop
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$65,000 Ritz Carlton Amelia Island Cookout
These are major funding commitments. Yet not one dollar is earmarked for the preservation, maintenance, or restoration of historic tourism-related assets in Fernandina Beach.
No line item for downtown heritage landmarks. No funding for historic buildings that draw visitors. No allocation for public art tied directly to the city’s tourism identity. Nothing for Peg Leg Pete, rotting, cracking and falling apart outside the Amelia Island Museum.
The one million-plus tourists walk the uneven downtown sidewalks and sit on the cracking brick walls. Yet not one penny comes from the TDC to help.
This ongoing funding gap by the county really matters.
Fernandina’s historic district, waterfront, museums, and cultural icons are the reason tourists stay here, spend here, and pay the bed tax in the first place. The county markets Amelia Island as a destination built on charm, authenticity, and history. Yet the mechanisms for reinvesting tourism dollars into those very assets simply do not exist.
And the argument could be made that the current divisive Paid Parking issue is necessitated in part to fund renovations of historic downtown which wouldn't be required if the city got its "fair share" of bed tax money.
The imbalance is appalling.
The city that produces 25% of the bed-tax revenue cannot access even a modest portion of it to protect the features that generate that revenue.
This is not a dispute over beach renourishment or marketing. Both are vital. It is a question of fairness.
At the August meeting of the Tourist Development Council, City Commissioner Tim Poynter asked the board to endorse using bed tax funds generated in Fernandina Beach for city specific tourist related projects.
His request was tabled until the TDC's meeting on Dec. 10.
"Shouldn't bed tax funds stay within the city. Isn't an historic downtown, buildings and iconic structures part of the TDC mission of putting heads in beds?" Poynter said.
He suggested the Fernandina Pirates Club approach the TDC for the funds to restore Peg Leg Pete.
To that point, Fernandina Beach should not have to organize donation drives to preserve the symbols of its own tourist economy. When a city contributes nearly $3 million annually, receiving zero support for preserving its historic tourism infrastructure undermines the entire purpose of the Tourist Development Tax.
Peg Leg Pete is only the latest example. Without a change in policy, it will not be the last.
The County Commission controls the bed-tax allocations. If they want Fernandina’s tourism economy to remain strong, they should dedicate a predictable share of the TDC budget to maintaining and preserving the city’s historic, visitor-driven assets.
As it stands today, Fernandina gives millions. Its historic downtown and landmarks get nothing.
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Comments
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PaulaM
Agree 100% …there are a considerable amount of marketing and consulting expenditures that could be trimmed or allocated elsewhere.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Report this
Bob121
While TDC thinks it support of Main Street is enough, none of that money goes to infrastructure or maintenance of downtown. Such a shame.
And, all that marketing just brings more traffic to the island. That creates more problems, too.
About time that some of that tax is allocated to the golden egg that drives most of this bounty.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Report this
BBillings
"$2.1 million for trade shows and international travel."
International travel?
Someone(s) is getting free vacations at Pete's expense - start with reclaiming THOSE monies.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Report this
GDecker
Isn't the bed tax paying for the new Poe Pinson skate park?
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Report this
JofusD
How many more tourists can fit on our Island? I don't understand why we have to continue to pour money into advertising.
From what I gather talking to tourists is that the majority of people that visit our Island come back for another visit. No coaxing necessary from advertising dollars.
Seems that a bit of the "charm" erodes as more and more people visit our (once) small town. And yet we are spending Millions to attract more tourists? Seems to be a disconnect here.
Meanwhile we fix up the airport to attract more airplanes and increasingly irritating noisy air traffic. I see larger and larger Jets better suited for JAX taking off and Landing with deafening sound.
And let's not forget the pickleball courts on Central Park that have been in disrepair for years. Such a social activity and attractive to tourists. Wouldn't money spent on repairing them be just as good as advertising dollars going to waste?
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Report this
FunnyGirl4615
THANK YOU - to Commissioner Poynter who stepped up and asked the TDC the question we have all been asking. Also a great suggestion to ask the TDC to help with Peg Leg Pete. The TDC brings in the visitors and collects millions for it. Some portion of it should definitely be going back into the city they advertise so heavily. Now - will the County Commissioners step up and make it happen? It's their job to direct TDC in such matters. District 1 and 2 commissioners should be leading that charge.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Report this
Editor
The TDC is not funding a new skate park. At their Dec. 10 meeting, the TDC will respond to Commissioner Poynter's request that city Bed Tax revenues remain in the city for projects.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Report this
rswarner
"The imbalance is appalling". Perhaps the TDC can get over it's love of "Starmark Marketing".
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Report this
Hedwigluvr
You are correct. This is appalling. Thank you for reporting on the situation with the details on TDC allocation of funds. Have been confused by all the complaints about TDC. Get it now. Tourist taxes are supposed to bring in revenue not only to improve tourism, but for the general upkeep of a city or for sustainability initiatives.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Report this
John Bertsch
I am serious about this comment. If we had paid parking, we could use thousands of dollars in our parking revenue fund to repair and refurbish Peg Leg Pete. Then everybody could get their gander up and complain — either for or against — the whole idea. After all, complaining —without analyzing— about things seems to be the one thing voters of Fernandina are very specialized in doing.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Report this
PMallory
All the comments are spot on . Amelia Island does not need to be so heavily marketed . Some of that money is needed for Capital expenditures. I pay this tax every month even I have a short term apartment rented. The Omni and Ritz also have their own marketing budgets . The international travel and Starmark line items need to be reduced and the City should get at least 50% or more of its portion back as a direct payment for capital expenditures and maintenance of any tourist related services and assets .
Saturday, November 15, 2025 Report this