The Administration recommends adoption of the resolution.

The Mayor and City Commission tasked the Administration with identifying opportunities to have the City of Miami Beach be once again recognized as a film friendly destination and attract more productions to the City. At the April 26, 2017 meeting of the City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, consideration for a stand-alone Miami Beach Film Incentive Program, along with suggested amendments to current film and print guidelines, were presented by the Administration as a means to entice scripted film and television productions to film in Miami Beach and to support the current industry working locally.  The Commission referred discussion of the potential incentive program to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee.

At the May 19, 2017 Meeting of the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee, recommendation was made by the Committee to continue to develop criteria for such a film incentive and have that return to Commission for final approval.  A recommendation was also made to consider principal funding to this new Miami Beach film incentive program via a budget enhancement in the amount of $100,000.00 during  the FY 2017 / 2018 budget development process.  This will serve as the initial investment towards amassing a consistent annual fund of $500,000 the Administration believes is needed to successfully launch and sustain this program. Identifying and soliciting additional funding partners to support this program will be critical over the next twelve to eighteen months.   Potential funding partners may include Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor Bureau, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, grant support (Knight Foundation, etc.),  and potential investment from local Business Improvement Districts and local businesses who would benefit from added productions in Miami Beach.