Tax revenue

County Comptroller Phil Diamond said tourist development tax collections for September were more than $24 million, a 48.6 percent increase over the same period in 2021.

The increased estimates come after federal stimulus money has helped fuel consumer spending and as the state’s economy has bounced back during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pinellas County had $9.8 million more in hotel tax collections compared to 2019; Hillsborough County was up $1.5 million.

Florida’s revenue picture this year took a $3.42 billion hit Friday as state economists evaluated the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.The…