Reviewing the sales tax revenue for Boca Grande

Figuring the effect of parking and storms

Despite reports of a strong spring season for some retailers and The Gasparilla Inn & Club, state sales tax data for Boca Grande paints a more mixed picture, with February 2026 taxable sales falling 7.3 percent from a year earlier and March revenue essentially flat as officials continue to debate the impacts of Lee County’s beach parking ordinance, and recovery from major hurricanes.

To look at the issue, Boca Beacon Publisher Dusty Hopkins requested taxable sales data for Gasparilla Island (specifically for zip code 33921) from 2022 to 2026. Of particular interest were sales figures after the enactment of the parking ordinance in August 2025.

Data shows that taxable sales were up in January 2026, but down in February and roughly even in March. April numbers were not yet available (see graphic). Fall figures, year over year, are not comparable because the island was shut down after hurricanes Helene and Milton. A breakdown by business category, such as retail, restaurant or lodging, was not available as of presstime from the state.

In general, some retailers have anecdotally reported a slow fall season of 2025, but a strong season from January to April, while others have reported business was down throughout. 

The health of the island’s businesses was discussed by Commissioner Kevin Ruane, who spoke to the issue May 14 on Beach Talk Radio, a local interview show.

“We’re three and a half years from Hurricane Ian,” Ruane said. Ruane reported on a trip he took to the island and Inn with his wife, Doreen, for his 66th birthday and told the listeners of a “double digit” increase at the hotel in excess of 20 percent.

“Quite frankly, I thought the island was pretty busy,” Ruane said. “The Gasparilla Inn has over 90 percent occupancy.”

According to the 2026 sales tax data, January was up 54 percent compared with hurricane-affected January 2025, but February was down 7.3 percent and March was up only 0.5 percent. The month the ordinance was passed, August 2025, was up 5.4 percent from the prior year, although the parking restrictions had not yet been enforced.

The Beacon asked Brent Cross, president and general manager of The Inn, about the season and overall health. 

“We are seeing a very positive year at The Inn and expect to outperform prior seasons, including several that were not impacted by storms or the pandemic,” Cross wrote in an email to the Beacon. 

He also commented on aggregate numbers for the island.

“Additionally, the first quarter of 2026 appears to be back to pre-storm levels and exceeded the first quarter of last year by approximately 10 percent,” Cross wrote. 

For the hotel, he added that guests are planning further in advance and returning more frequently, which gives the resort confidence in the long-term strength of the market.

Drilling down to specifics, it is difficult to obtain exact retail figures because taxable sales include hotel revenue, resort revenue, vacation rentals and short-term condominium rentals, and the state data does not break them out separately. The figures also include hotel meals, bar sales and catering revenue. Other factors can also affect sales tax receipts, including inflation, delayed weddings and island construction projects when vendors purchase taxable goods.

Sandy Youngquist, who serves as vice chair of the Parking Committee, said Lee County Economic Development is conducting a survey of island businesses and the committee and public will receive the results. She said merchants are being encouraged to submit data.

At the first Parking Committee meeting April 22, individual businesses spoke up with concerns and asked for a seasonal relaxation of parking rules. 

Brooke Sparks of Gasparilla Adventures reported a 16 percent drop in business during December, traditionally part of the shoulder season.

“We are not here to be negative,” Sparks said. “We are here because we are scared and we are trying to solve a problem.”

Lee McQeary, speaking on behalf of Boca Grande Cart Rentals, said hourly walk-in business has decreased between 20 percent and 30 percent. Fugate’s Manager Wendy Davis told the committee that business was down 18.2 percent compared with last season.

At the May Parking Committee meeting, Kris Boyden of The Palm on Park said that all her numbers are down. This was echoed by Dina Beaumont of Sunsets of Boca Grande at the May meeting.

Ruane said in the Beach Talk interview that he had heard concerns from two businesses.

“I’ve heard two people, Bart [DeStefano] from South Beach [Bar & Grille] and Sandy [Youngquist of KeyLime Bistro], say business is off, and I’m open-minded to look at businesses and to see if the business receipts are off,” Ruane said. “I’d like to think that the traffic has somewhat subsided from the storms three and a half years ago, because our numbers grew nine percent from January to April this year.”

The Parking Committee will meet Wednesday, June 17, at 1 p.m. in the Woman’s Club Board Room at the Boca Grande Community Center.

The agenda includes discussions on seasonal relief from the ordinance, signage and visitor education, and golf carts.