May collections totaled $9 million, a 23% increase over May 2003. The county thought the best it could do was $8 million. "Collections for May were very strong," says Haynie. "Cumulative collections this fiscal year (beginning Oct. 1, 2003) are 17% ahead of cumulative collections for the last fiscal year, as well as 10% above budget projections."
Haynie and her staff had estimated collections for the eight-month period through May could reach $68.4 million. The county actually took in $75.2 million. For the same eight-month period in 2003, the take was $64.1 million.
The Greater Orlando Visitors and Convention Bureau notes international travelers are returning to the area, following an absence after Sept. 11, 2001. Central Florida logged 175,740 overseas visitors through Orlando International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport in the first four months of 2004. That's an increase of 33% from the comparable 2003 period.
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