Escambia Tourist Tax Collections Rise 6.5% to Record $23.5 Million

PENSACOLA, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Escambia County's tourism industry finished the latest fiscal year with another increase in tourist-development tax collections, bringing in considerably more revenue than the county had budgeted.

Escambia County Senior Budget Analyst Jeremy Pagalagan told the Tourist Development Council Tuesday that Tourist Development Tax collections through September totaled $23,544,979.

That's up from $22,114,042 during the same period a year earlier.

The difference amounts to an increase of approximately $1.43 million, or 6.47%.

Escambia County had budgeted for $21 million in tourist-tax revenue during the fiscal year. Actual collections reached approximately 112% of that projection.

Total tourism-fund revenue, which also includes interest, unrealized interest adjustments and miscellaneous revenue, reached approximately $24.5 million. That's about $1.07 million higher than the previous fiscal year.

Interest revenue declined, however, falling from approximately $1.33 million to $955,000.

The county reported approximately $29.7 million in expenditures through September, with another $7.9 million encumbered.

The Tourist Development Tax fund ended September with a cash balance of approximately $27.3 million.

The numbers provide a snapshot of Escambia County's tourism economy immediately before Hurricane Isaias.

Local tourism officials are now turning their attention to post-storm recovery and marketing as hotels, attractions and other tourism businesses return to normal operations.

Highway 182 resurfacing project starts Monday in Santa Rosa County

Drivers heading through Santa Rosa County should plan for delays starting next week. Beginning Monday, October 26, work crews will begin a major resurfacing and widening project on Highway 182 between Chumuckla Highway and Allison Creek Lane, according to Santa Rosa County Communications.

The project is expected to run through October 2027, weather permitting. Work will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, and Highway 182 will be reduced to a single lane during paving operations. Santa Rosa County officials warn motorists to expect heavy delays, use caution in the work zone, and follow directions from flaggers and posted traffic control signs.

The improvements will include milling and resurfacing the roadway, replacing and upgrading culverts, re-establishing ditches, widening shoulders with rumble strips, adding pavement striping, and installing raised reflective pavement markers. More details and maps of the project area are available on the Santa Rosa County website.

Baldwin County Sees Spike in Bat Bites; Thomas Hospital Treats Six

Thomas Hospital in Baldwin County, Alabama, has treated six patients for bat bites as the region experiences a rise in incidents, according to WKRG-TV 5.

The uptick in bat-related injuries has raised concerns about potential rabies exposure, a serious public health risk. Health officials typically recommend immediate medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination for anyone bitten by a bat, since rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.

Bat bites can occur when the animals enter homes or come into contact with people outdoors. Experts advise residents to avoid handling bats directly and to seek medical care promptly if exposure occurs. Anyone who suspects contact with a bat should contact local health authorities or visit an emergency room.