ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – St. Augustine City Commission members said Wednesday that investing an additional $850,000 in the city’s Nights of Lights event appears to have paid off, with the funding going a long way toward managing growing crowds and keeping visitors safe.
Additionally, city staff reported mixed changes in revenue tied to the season. Parking garage revenue rose by $604,039, while meters, permits and ticket revenue declined by $48,532.
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City leaders said the meter decrease reflected fewer meters to increase pedestrian access and other factors, and a rise in parking tickets offset some gains.
Officials said sightseeing vehicle and horse-and-carriage franchise fees rose by $22,405. City guide licenses and market/vendor permits fell by about $3,200.
Tourism development taxes increased by $26,058. Those taxes go to St. Johns County, not the city, but the city can request county tourism funds for events such as Nights of Lights.
The city said it plans to pursue that option.
“They feel like it was money well spent by both the city and by the Tourism Development Council and St. Johns County,” said Meredith Breidenstein, the city’s assistant manager.
Commissioners will consider dates for the next Nights of Lights season at the next meeting, where they will also plan to prepare a formal funding request to the Tourism Development Council.