MARCO ISLAND — Tourist tax dollars are up, and that’s good news for Marco Island’s Beach Advisory Committee. In preliminary reports, Tourist Development Council tax collections are $337,133 over budget for 2011.

Money from the TDC helps fund beach projects. On Jan. 18, the committee learned that two projects have been moved to the permitting process. An e-mail from Victor Rios, a Marco Island member of Collier County’s Coastal Advisory Committee, informed the beach committee that a contract for laser grading was approved.

After the permitting process, grading would begin but not during sea turtle nesting season. Grading would restore a positive grade to the beach. It also would improve the sand’s ability to percolate water and provide easier access for nesting sea turtles.

Beach renourishment at the south end near Cape Marco also was approved for permitting by the county committee. That project would include adding sand, restoring breakwaters and adding two new jetties. After permitting is approved, work on the South Beach project could begin as early as Nov. 1. No permits are issued for work during sea turtle nesting season that runs from May 1 through Oct. 31.

Marco Island’s tourist tax is a large provider of fund for beach projects. For the month of December, preliminary reports show that Marco Island collected $201,691. In the same month Naples collected $257,204. In year-to-date reports, Marco Island’s collections only lag behind Naples by $38,551.

Tourist tax dollars are paying for the emergency dredging of Collier Creek, the entrance to Smokehouse Bay. The 10,000 cubic feet of sand removed from the creek will be used to renourish the north end of Hideaway Beach located next to state-owned land. That beachhead has been losing approximately 3,500 cubic feet of sand per year.

Dredgers will place Collier Creek sand up to the beach’s erosion control line. Hideaway Beach will have the option to move the sand up to its vegetation line using its own special taxing to pay for it.

Tigertail Beach’s boardwalks continue to be replaced, but work has slowed for lack of delivered materials. Boardwalks 1, 3 and 5 have been completely demolished and new piling have been installed. Work is currently being done to construct horizontal supports, but the walkways are awaiting delivery of deck boards. A path through the mangroves for new boardwalk 6 has been cut.

In other business, the beach committee refined its draft proposal for volunteers to canvas Marco Island’s beaches. Removing the word “patrol” from its document, the committee agreed upon “stewardship” as its mission. Final revisions will be presented to the city manager.

If approved, the committee will begin training applicants to walk the beach and address questions or give information. Recently, committee members were informed of bicyclists and dogs on the beach and children disturbing resting shorebirds. Committee members hope the stewardship program will educate visitors about beach regulations.

The next Beach Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, in City Hall’s 1st floor conference room. Beach cleanups are regularly scheduled. The next one is planned for 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 18, at the South Beach boardwalk.