Home › News › Local news

Tax money may save Hideaway Beach again

By LAURA LAYDEN (Contact)
8:49 p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2008

STORY TOOLS

Tourist tax money may come to the rescue of Hideaway Beach again.

Collier County commissioners have given the OK to use $1.6 million in “bed taxes” to help stop the beach on Marco Island from washing away — as long as Hideaway homeowners add a public restroom for visitors.

With some debate and that one condition, commissioners recently voted 3-2 to spend the money on six more beach erosion controls, or T-groins.

The money would come from a 4 percent charge on all hotel rooms and other short-term stays in Collier County.

Commission approval came after an advisory board, the Tourist Development Council, deadlocked 4-4 on whether to support spending the tax money on the project because the beach is essentially private.

There is no public parking, and if you don’t live on Hideaway you can only get there by boat, or by walking over from Tigertail Beach.

The Hideaway Beach Homeowners Association has yet to approve the required bathroom, but it’s expected to do so when it meets again.

There has been “no push back” from residents, said Erik Brechnitz, an association board member and vice chairman of the Marco Island Special Tax District.

In 2005, Hideaway Beach received tourist development tax money to fight erosion. Though the beach doesn’t meet the county’s public access guidelines, county commissioners that year approved spending the money because they determined it was “in the public interest.”

It was meant to be a one-time deal.

But with the washing away of nearby Coconut Island, the Hideaway sands have continued to disappear.

At the June commission meeting, Marco Island residents and leaders argued that the county should continue supporting the project because it’s still in the public interest.

Brechnitz said he never expected to have to come back asking for more money. But with the disappearance of Coconut Island, the middle of Hideaway Beach has been left unprotected.

The erosion controls have been installed only on the northern and southern ends of the beach.

“This is a situation that none of us wanted to have,” Brechnitz said. “For whatever reason, the design did not include the eventuality of Coconut Island disappearing. I don’t know why. Everyone knew that Coconut Island was moving.”

He said the 10 existing T-groins were “working as well or better than anticipated” on the ends of the beach, but that it was clear that more were needed to stabilize and protect it.

“In our viewpoint this is not a new project,” Brechnitz said. “It is simply fixing the project that already exists.”

Without the fix, the private road that runs to Hideaway Beach and more than 300 residents who live alongside it are threatened by flooding from Gulf waters if there’s a hurricane or another bad storm.

William Trotter, chairman of the Marco Island City Council, said the cost of the project “would be covered by less than six months of the city’s contributions” to the tourist development tax.

“Stabilizing the beach is critical to the entire area, including the adjacent beaches on Marco Island,” he said.

The city has approved spending $400,000 on a temporary fix. A rock wall will be installed next to the private road leading to the beach.

“It doesn’t do anything about beach renourishment. All it does is provide immediate protection to the roadway and also all of the utilities that are under that roadway,” said Bill Harrison, the city’s finance director.

The money for the rocks will come from the Hideaway Beach special taxing district.

The district also expects to kick in about $1.9 million for sand to help restore the beach.

Permits still must be approved for the renourishment project. The earliest the work could begin is Nov. 1, Harrison said.

Commissioner Donna Fiala supported more erosion control and said the issue came down to “a design flaw” in the original project.

“I think that this is something we wanted to do right in the first place; we thought we were going to do right, we didn’t do right and we need to fix right now,” she said prior to the commission vote.

Commissioner Jim Coletta suggested that residents be required to add a bathroom to make the beach more inviting to tourists, especially those walking over from Tigertail Beach. His suggestion was added as a condition for final approval.

Commissioners Fred Coyle and Tom Henning voted against spending any more tourist taxes to protect Hideaway.

After the meeting, Henning, chairman of the commission and the Tourist Development Council, said there’s no question Hideaway Beach needs help. But he doesn’t think the money should come from the bed tax, which is designed to promote tourism and fix the public beaches that attract them to the county.

He said most tourists will never visit Hideaway.

“You’d have to walk so far you might as well pack a breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don’t know how many tourists have boats here. But I would say, it would be slim to none,” Henning said.

He said property taxes would be a better source of money for the project.

“It’s always tax the man behind the tree, not me,” Henning said. “Well, that’s the tourist. He’s the one behind the tree.”

Comments

This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. Break our rules, and we will ban you. No exceptions, no second chances. Read our privacy policy & user agreement.

Well, I say fix the beach, only and only if, they also build public access(other than walking from Tigertail or boating) and build a parking lot. This "nose in the air" attitude of people in Hideaway Beach, Pelican Bay, etc. must end. They all need to realize that EVERYONE pays to keep the beaches in good shape. If you want your own "private beach" to be maintained, they should be the ONLY ONES to pay for this. This WELFARE for the rich is costing all of us big bucks with no benefits.

Isn't that how a revolution got stated in this country in the first place.

"Taxation without representation is tyranny".
And a bed tax is just that. If you ever stayed in a local hotel for a mini vacation, you have paid that tax.

All the commmissioners need to represent all the people of Collier County not just certain neighborhoods. If this is not done, than maybe its time for new commissioners.

#1 Posted by babsmn on July 13, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank U Henning and Coyle for saying "No" to a 1.6 million dollar BATHROOM that Collier County residents could not get to except by boat or by walking for a mile or two at LOW TIDE...because at high tide there's hardly a way to get there.

I THINK 1.6 million means ACCESS to this beach from the front GATE of Hideaway's PRIVATE BEACH!

There were teenage kids who would cross from Coconut Island by swimming and they nearly DROWNED swimming to get to this beach. Coconut Island is gone to erosion, too.

This is a fact of nature, and one that assessments of beach and condo owners could save.

Throwing money at sand to keep it in place on a PRIVATE BEACH that a regular CC resident can't even get to is PATHETIC.

Throw a music festival for residents, add some ambience for tourists to local beaches like some cool gathering spots or chikis.

BUT to pay for SAND ON A PRIVATE BEACH...?????

NO way....must be some influence from the residents there knocking on Commishes door, because I'm befuddled by this decision.

I want my cousin's bed tax back as she was in a hotel for a week here. Her bed tax will be eroded away anyway.

#2 Posted by beetlejuice on July 13, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmmmm. Mother Nature versus local government, wonder who is going to win?

#3 Posted by Jadip811 on July 13, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only way this should be approved is by allowing public access via road and parking spaces...plain and simple.

#4 Posted by Midwesterner on July 13, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Private Beach, Public Money, I think Mr. Dwight Brock needs to give his lawyers a call. This has to be illegal.

Another example of Jack Werts TDC and their mystery bag of giveaways to his connected Chamber Buddies.

#5 Posted by kneejerk on July 13, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Screw Hideaway Beach, let them pay for their own improvments.

#6 Posted by greathornedlizard on July 13, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No one has ever fixed a beach.

You might as well try to stem the tide or dim the sun.

But, hey, if all we have to do is get our hand on the conventioneers' wallets, why not?

Hideaway Beach residents are people, too.

Sort of.

#7 Posted by elnuestros on July 13, 2008 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL elnuestros...H. Beachers are probably seasonal residents who don't care how the sand is paid for as long as they don't have to pay for it from their own pockets.

#8 Posted by beetlejuice on July 14, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

$400,000 for a temporary fix for the PRIVATE road??
This village has more than one idiot.

#9 Posted by eaglebeak on July 14, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So....once again, I get to pay to fix something that I can't use. another Collier County scam.

#10 Posted by 12gauge on July 14, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

2004

'In a 4-1 vote that came after a two-hour debate during which everyone from bird lovers to legal eagles spread their wings, the County Commission agreed to use $2.5 million of tourist tax money to install permanent T- groin structures on Hideaway to stop erosion.'
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2004/a...

"When is a deal a deal? When you make a commitment, you should be willing to stand by it, even if it's a bad deal," Coyle said. He said the commission had an obligation to uphold that deal or risk appearing "dishonorable and probably stupid."

What's this all about then?

Going back many years, the small community of H.Beach got sand for free. Twas paid by tourist bed taxes, that should have been used to enhance the 'tourist experience' of C. County.

But, Marco that generates a fair portion of these taxes, wanted to use them on this small, isolated beach community.

So, year after year, the commish spent our dollars there, millions of dollars.

Then came the idea of permanant structures in the water, called T-groins. Designed in place by C.County's engineer consult Humiston 'n Moor.

We the people, paid for temporary ones, that said consults claim to have worked very well, to stem the erosion past H. Beach.

Twas lies

Yet, in the above, so-called ONE TIME ONLY decision, the commish decided to pay more public $$$ for permanent groins. H. Beach was to pay for some sand themselves, but not all. No bargan for additional access was agreed on.

The same 5 commish are now agreeing to pay for permanent groins, cause, of a design flaw, by consult Humiston 'n Moor.

Once again lies

Jim Coletta and Frank Halas FLIP-FLOPPED on this deal

They say "Screw the Public" and give the money to the wealthy

#11 Posted by BritBird on July 14, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to agree with the other posters. This just doesn't sit right at all. Why are we paying for something we don't get to use.
Sounds like the 'Old Boy's Network' at work.

But then again I have to ask. Who votes for these people any way? Or are some wealthier votes counted more than others?

#12 Posted by Ironage on July 14, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

same old story, different day, cater to the affluent, shaft the middle class

#13 Posted by coolkraft on July 14, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think a good action would be to start hitting the travel blogs all over and start posting this link and other TDC nonsense their.

Let possible visitors know that all they are is a dollar sign to take care of private property ills.

#14 Posted by kneejerk on July 14, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Boy oh boy. Coletta has shown his infitite wisdom in formulating his modificiation on this proposal and voting for it. Coletta's toilet to nowhere. The guy is a flush.

#15 Posted by chap914 on July 14, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks to Commissioners Henning and Coyle for seeing through this scam. There is no excuse to spend a dime of the taxpayers money to restore what is nothing more that a private beach.

Does not matter who pays that tax either, it is still a tax levied on the public. As Commissioner Henning said; "it's always easy to tax the man standing behind the tree".

If the good people of Hideaway Beach want to repair "their" beach then they need to tax themselves to pay for the work and not expect the public to take care of their needs.

Once again the special interests win here in Collier County.

#16 Posted by swfl_ff on July 14, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The county never returns Marco's share of tourist tax dollars. At least this way, some of Marco's share is returning to Marco.

#17 Posted by ed34145 on July 14, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a crime...a robbery from us all. The homeowners who have the exclusive beach in front of their homes should pay for this "improvement", and I'm sure it would only dent their pocketbooks slightly.

I can just see it now...the new Hideaway Public Craphouse is constructed, but the Hideaway Security Vermacht will be stedfastly holding their ground to make sure that only those people with the correct pedigree get past. No fooling here...those of you who have ever come accross those goons know exactly what I'm referring to. Try and walk that beach, even below the high-water line with a fishing pole in your hand and see how long it takes before you're harrased. They even give those bozos a lazer speed gun so they can set up speed traps and chase you in their golf carts.

Give Hideaway NOTHING!!!! Those of you who voted for this can count on losing my vote in future elections.

#18 Posted by MarcoRobert on July 14, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hideaway,has enough parking in front of their club to allow beach-go'ers parking For a fee . This would cover the cost of any beach renourishment . There are a few vacaint lots on the beach that Hideaway owners could donate as access point & place the new public restroom there, as not to bother exsisting home owners.

#19 Posted by marco on July 14, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Use of TDC Category A Funds (beach re-nourishment)
This is the ordinance/law that allows for the use of these funds. This is how it is written,

To Finance beach park facilities of beach maintenance, re-nourishment, restoration and erosion control .... TO WHICH THERE IS PUBLIC ACCESS....

I would have posted the whole thing but you will discover that in order to get any info on Jack Werts TDC office and their mysterious workings is almost impossible, and seems to be deliberate obfiscation. Try to read the minutes from meetings and the link takes you to the Tax Collectors Site , try to search that GOOD LUCK. This agncy has been operating behind closed doors and secret meetings with Jack Wert's cronies for far too long, I think a thorough investigation and auditing by the Tax Collectors Office is way overdo.

#20 Posted by kneejerk on July 14, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CollierClerk@CollierClerk.com

This is the link to Dwight Brocks Office if you are disgraced by this theft of money by a private beach ask Mr. Brock's Office to investigate.

#21 Posted by kneejerk on July 14, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Public access = Public Funds. For those people at Hideaway that want to keep their beach, its time to belly up. Approve some public parking near the beach and the facilities or pay for the renourishment out of your own pocket.

#22 Posted by Naples_zen on July 14, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The beach access problem continues to be thrown back in the public's face by the elite. What good is a public bathroom if you can't get on the beach to use it? It will just become another convenience for those who already have access. The CCC continues to cater to the affluent at the expense of the public, but it is rarely so obvious as this issue. How arrogant can you get. The only solution is to vote out the 3 stooges who voted for this.

#23 Posted by arsenal on July 14, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Having a million dollar outhouse still does not make the beach public accessible!
Why don't they get it?
This is a private beach with no public access. Why do we have to pay for the repair of it?
Let the wealthy ones pay for their own problems.
I also am sick of the collier commissioners game.

#24 Posted by fortl123 on July 14, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Torches and pitchforks will get their attention.

Follow through.

Show up every place they speak and pose the question.

They really don't understand "nice."

In fact, their game depends on your being that way.

#25 Posted by elnuestros on July 14, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Torches and pitch forks may not get their attention, but this beach IS accessible by boat.

I think some "sand writings" will do very well on this PRIVATE BEACH.

Every Collier County resident AND TOURIST...who lands their boat on this rip-off beach should etch a note in the sand...include your EXACT comments to commishes who made the wrong decision here.

Maybe someone at Hideaway will wake up and realize they don't own the beach bed-tax dollars are paying for.

Then there will be plenty of parking at this beach...kind of like the almost private Barefoot Beach with a kicker...no fees whatsoever...because it's all paid for already thanks to another bad decision by commishes.

#26 Posted by beetlejuice on July 14, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why don't all boaters that frequent the beach at the south-end of Keewaydin island change their
new anchoring spot too Hideaway Beach for the next six months or so.
There is more good beach with sandy bottom, room for at least 200 boats ,nice wide
beach for games like volley ball. Frisbee, sand sculpturing, etc. Might even be able to use
the rest rooms at the beach club for a small fee. Their chief might make special lunches for
us to purchase which would help them raise enough money to widen our beach.

#27 Posted by marco on July 14, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Post your comment
(Requires free registration.)