Board of County Commissioners - public_hearing

If you wish to speak to any item on the agenda or during the public comment portion of the meeting, please fill out a speaker card. Each person addressing the Board shall have three minutes to complete his or her comments on each agenda item for which he or she has filled out a card. The Chair has the discretion to determine or alter the time limits on any agenda item. The Board of County Commissioners requests that speakers appearing under the Public Comments section of the agenda limit their comments or presentations to matters relating to county business that are within the Board's control, authority, and jurisdiction.

Okay, our invocation today will be given by Dr. Bawana Bostic. Technically, we're unable to start until 5.05, so you have a long floor. You can give a long prayer. Thank you.

You're welcome. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, God, we're so grateful to be here tonight. Thank you for your divine protection all day long. Because of you, we are here safe. And God, tonight as we enter this meeting, we ask for your divine understanding and unity. And we thank you, Lord, for your divine wisdom. And God, we just give you the glory for what you're doing within this board. We pray that you bless them individually. Bless their families, keep them safe in Jesus' name. And God, as a county, our children have gone back to school. And Lord, we pray for blessings and protection for every school in Brevard County. God, we plead the blood of Jesus over them that you keep them safe all year long. However they get to school, ride the bus, walk, walk. mother, father, grandmother, take them to school. God, protect them and keep them focused this year, God. Help them to be attentive in the classroom. Bless the teachers, God, with divine wisdom. Help them, Lord, to help those that are in need of just a little extra help. Give them that insight, God. And we thank you for doing that. Of course, bless the superintendent and his staff. And we thank you for leading and guiding them to help us through this year. And God, of course, our policemen and our firemen and our mayors and city commissioners, bless them abundantly. Keep them as well safe, Lord, as they do their jobs to keep us safe. And we give you the glory as a whole, as a county, for blessing this county, God. And yes, the United States of America, we pray as a whole. Bring our troops home safe, and we just thank you for what you're doing within us all. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Amen.

Thank you. So appropriate.

School crossing guards are a part of this budget we're voting on today, so the school prayer is very appropriate. Okay. Today we'll have Commissioner Pritchett to lead us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,

Mr. Chair, could I make a motion to allow Commissioner Goodson to participate by phone?

I'll second.

Okay, there's a motion and a second to allow Commissioner Goodson to participate by phone. All in favor say yay. Yay.

Yay.

Motion carries unanimously. Okay, that works out perfect. It's 5.05, so we can begin. So public hearing, we'll start with D1, the item gender D1. Jim, go ahead. All right.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Item D1 allows for the reading of the tentative aggregate operating millage rate to fund the portion of the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget that is supported by property taxes. At this time, I will ask the Budget Office to read into the record the tentative aggregate millage rate for FY fiscal year 2026-2027.

The millage rate for the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget is 4.7492. The tentative aggregate millage rate represents a 6.12% increase when compared to the aggregate rollback rate of 4.4753. The tentative aggregate millage rate represents a 5.75% increase when compared to the current fiscal year 2025-2026 aggregate millage rate of 4.4909.

Commissioners, as approved by the board on July 21st, 2026, tentative millages have been set at the rates required the fund board priorities, including the animal care center, roadway improvements, jail infrastructure, and other county facilities. Additionally, tax rates are set to mitigate impacts and newly mandated expenses while ensuring reserves are adequately funded. AGENDA ITEM D2, THE BOARD WILL HEAR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND THEN DISCUSS THE MILLAGES AND ASSOCIATED REVENUE AND AGENDA ITEM D3.

OKAY, GREAT. NO VOTE IS REQUIRED AT THIS POINT. OUR NEXT ITEM IS AGENDA ITEM D2.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Item D2 allows for the public to comment on the revised tentative county budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. Before we begin public comment, I would ask the Budget Office read into the record the revised tentative budget information.

The fiscal year 2026-2027 budget is $2,425,838,420. This budget represents a decrease of $161,915,446, or 6.26% less than the fiscal year 2025-2026. Current budget of $2,587,753,866.

Mr. Chair, we are now ready to accept public comments on the revised tentative budget for fiscal year 2026-2027.

Okay, our first public comment is Richard Heffelfinger.

Good evening, Rick Heffelfinger, 2000 Juniper Drive, District 1. I'm going to make my final plea to try to help control some of the costs for our citizens. I believe that designating the animal facility is not a critical need or an emergency and I would like to ask the board to remove $5 million designated for that from the increase over the proposed millage to the general fund. The reason that I say that it's not critical is it's an animal care facility. There currently is one, yet it's 30 years old. I realize that, but I don't see that as meeting the requirements of a critical or an emergency need. I also believe that the animal care facility back in, let's see, we had a meeting on, geez, when was it? where we had a budget adjustment, a third quarter budget adjustment. And it was identified where you guys actually saw some general fund savings, or I shouldn't say savings. They were increases due to funds interest. And you applied them at that time towards some of the stuff that was identified as critical need in the workshop. There was also one that identified an almost $5 million additional increase in what the sheriff had in his 410 fund MSTU. And that has been added to the proposed budget. It shows that he's got a carry forward now of it's almost $8 million. And it shows that only about half of that was allocated. So there's this almost that animal shelter funding in that MSTU fund that's not being expended this year. I think if it's a critical need, an emergency, and since animal care facility falls under the sheriff, I believe that he could go back and allocate that money. You could get both things and reduce the cost in the general fund to the taxpayers. And that's what I would like to see happen is a motion to remove the $5 million and then maybe a recommendation to the sheriff. I don't know who allocates his budget, how those decisions are made. I know you give it to him, but I would like to see him say that that is a priority or critical for him since it's under his funding and move some of that money that he does have. Thank you.

Thank you. Dalton Simpson, our next speaker. Hey, how are you guys doing tonight?

My name is Dalton Simpson, and I'm coming here to speak to you guys about the Stradley baseball fields in Cocoa. Recently, a few pictures and stuff have been brought to my concern where the sod, the flooding, and baseball, I believe baseball season, if it hasn't already started, it's about to start. Right now with the heavy rain, it's starting to cause a lot of flooding, a lot of sod. I see that you guys, and I'm just starting to get into this, I see you guys got like a deal with Coco, but they're more supposed to take care of like the structures and stuff, and you guys are supposed to maintain the fields and the irrigations. and then any stuff like that. So basically to get started, good evening, my name is Dalton Simpson and I'm here tonight to speak about the flooding and ongoing conditions at Stradley Baseball Fields. This is about more than wet grass or field looking bad. This is about a public facility that our children families, coaches, and community are supposed to be able to use safely. When these fields stay flooded, they can't be maintained properly. Practices and games are affected, the fields deteriorate, and it creates safety concerns for the kids using them. What I'm asking the county tonight is simple, we need answers. We need to know what is actually causing the flooding, who is responsible for addressing it, and what the plan is to fix it. It is a drainage issue. Is there a problem with the ditches, culverts, swells, stormwater system, or the grading of the property? I'm sorry.

I'm a little nervous.

No, you're doing great.

Boy, you're finding your way. I have seen pictures of Stradley, and it is a mess, and it is a public safety. I feel bad for those kids. Jim, did you...

Mr. Simpson, I haven't read it, but I saw part of an email chain going through. Our parks folks have worked with the city of Cocoa on a bunch of issues. Flooding was in there. Septic to sewer was in there. And that gentleman right there, where is he? Ian Golden, if you want to meet with him as soon as you're done speaking, he can give you an update of what's going on.

That would be awesome because I've seen his name too. And I've also seen you guys lost a lot of money this past year. few years on that part of funding, too. So this is the thing. I played baseball there. My mom did as well. My child's young right now. I just see a lot of people talking about it. But that's all they do is talk on the internet. I wanted to show them this is where you come. And if you want to see changes happen, this is where you got to do it. So I appreciate you guys giving me that time. But I found my spot if you want me to finish.

Yeah, go ahead.

But if not, I apologize. That's OK. So pretty much here it is. This is the ending. and grading the property. Whatever the cause is, I'm asking for the county to inspect the problem, give the community a clear answer. Our kids deserve a safe, playable baseball field. The coaches and parents who volunteer their time deserve better, and the taxpayers deserve to know that our parks and recreational facilities are being maintained. I'm not here tonight just to complain. I'm here because I want to help get something done. So I'm asking the county to identify the department responsible for which you just did, inspect the flooding and drainage conditions at Stradley Park and provide the community with a real plan and timeline for correcting the problem. A lot of people in the community care about these fields, and we're paying attention. We just want to see Stradley become a safe, usable baseball field for our kids. And before I finish, I want to say rest in peace, Coach Keith Gordon. His impact on these kids and this baseball community should not be forgotten. Thank you.

Thank you for being here. And I know I share your concern. I know the commission is a while up there in that district and, uh, anything we can possibly do. I've personally, I feel your pain. I lived through the same thing. My kids, when we had mud fields at Vieira, now look at them. We had mud fields in Merritt Island. They've gotten better. Yeah. So, um, yeah, we need these, this is important. These kids, I appreciate you being here and bringing our attention.

And like I said, I remember there was a time when, uh, Cocoa Little League went away from being in the Little League World Series. They produced a lot of good stuff, so thank you.

I appreciate everybody. Ian right there. Thank you. Okay, I think that's all of our cards on D2. Yep. Okay, we will move on to no vote required at this point. We'll move on to agenda item D3.

All right, commissioners, item D3, it is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners discuss and tentatively adopt the fiscal year 2026-2027 millage rates. This item reflects the millage rates that were approved by the Board in July of 2026. The countywide general fund ad valorem millage rate has been tentatively set at the critical need rate of 3.0942. This rate will require a supermajority vote for the approval in accordance with the county's charter cap and the state statute. Additionally, any millage rate set above the rollback rate NOW REQUIRES AT LEAST A SUPER MAJORITY APPROVAL AS A RESULT OF RECENT LEGISLATION ASSOCIATED WITH PROPERTY TAXES. ANY CHANGES TO THE MILLAGE RATES UNDER THIS ITEM WILL BE RECOMPUTED AND ANNOUNCED UNDER ITEM D4. OKAY. WE DO HAVE ONE CARD.

Good afternoon, honorable commissioners, county manager, and of course, I can't forget the county attorney. My name is J.J. Woolsey. I'm not only a staff representative for the Coastal Florida PBA, but I am a proud retired member of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, where I retired after 32 years of experience as a deputy sheriff. On behalf of the Coastal Florida PBA and the hundreds of members that we represent, several hundred with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, we are proud to stand before you tonight. As the collective bargaining unit representative of the Sheriff's Office, we have been blessed to represent an extraordinary group of men and women who passionately work together every day to keep this county safe. We also consider ourselves very lucky to have exceptional leadership in our commissioners, county manager, and the sheriff, who consider public safety number one. Brevard County is very unique to manage, we understand that. But through the tremendous relationships we all have forged, your support, your leadership, And your faith in us means so very much. And we can't thank you enough for making, for making Brevard the safest County in Florida. Thank you.

Thank you. And I think that is our final card. And, uh, this, now the boat is required to have a vote on the tentatively adopted FY 26, 27 millage rates. There's motion to approve. Is there a second, second, uh, any discussion debate? All those in favor say yay. Yay. Opposed? Nay. Passes 4-1 with Commissioner Felton voting against. I heard him. That was a yay, wasn't it, Commissioner Goodson?

Sorry, that was a yay.

Yeah, thank you. Okay, next item, item agenda D4. Jim?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Item D4, based on the approved changes and millage rates that were approved on the agenda item D3, I now ask the budget office to read into the record the revised aggregate millage rates.

The aggregate rollback rate for the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget is 4.4753. The aggregate tentative millage rate for the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget is 4.7492. The tentative aggregate millage rate is 6.12% more than the aggregate rollback rate.

Okay, do we have any cards?

We have no cards on this item, and no vote is required at this moment.

So we'll move to agenda item D5.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In accordance with the Brevard County Code of Ordinances, I request adoption of the fiscal year 2026-2027 budgets for the following agencies. A, Solid Waste Management. B, Stormwater Utility Department. C, Fire Services Non-Advalorum Assessment. And D, Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District.

Okay, a board vote is required to adopt budgets for these districts and programs.

Make a motion to adopt.

There's a motion to adopt a solid waste stormwater fire services. Melbourne Tillman. Is there a second motion? Second. Any discussion debate all those in favor say yay. Yay.

Yay.

Opposed carries unanimously. Okay. We will move to D six utility services.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. It is requested that the governing board of the Barefoot Bay Water and Sewer District approve a resolution adopting a budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027.

So a board vote is required to approve the budget resolution for Barefoot Bay Water and Sewer District. Motion be in order.

I'd like to make a motion to approve.

A motion to approval. Second. Second. All in favor say yay. Yay.

Yay.

Opposed? Carries unanimously. Thank you. We will move to agenda item D7.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Based on the action taken during this public hearing, I now ask that the Budget Office read into record the revised tentative budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027.

Chair and Board of County Commissioners, the revised tentative budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 is $2,425,838,420. This budget represents a decrease of $161,915,446 or 6.26% less than the fiscal year 2025-2026 current budget of $2,587,753,866. Mr. Chair, I request tentative approval of a resolution adopting the fiscal year 2026-2027 Brevard County budget. Motion to approve, sir. So motion to approve is our second. Second.

Motion and second to tentatively approve the resolution of Dauphin fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. All in favor say yay. Yay. Opposed? Nay. Budget passes 4-1 with Commissioner Felton voting against. That concludes the tentative budget hearing. Now moving on to board reports. We have D8, sir. We have D8. Yeah, sorry. Correct.

OKAY. I NEED TO PULL THAT OUT HERE. MR. CHAIR, WE HAVE 85. FOR SOME REASON MY AGENDA.

Good evening.

Item D8 is the approval of the Barefoot Bay Services Rate Resolution Amendment encompassing the Barefoot Bay Water and Sewer District. This is the public hearing. We've done the advertisement and we're seeking board direction on the amendment to the rate resolution.

Okay, we have three cards. First is Sydney James.

Good evening, commissioners. I want to say there's a reason why the other five wastewater treatment plants in Brevard County are integrated into a countywide system. There's a reason why a decision was never made to pull one out or separate all of them. I don't know the reasons why. but it feels like just unfair. I have to go back to that issue of fairness and equality. I know that the commissioners have received letters It's because you are all part equal members of the governing body of the barefoot Bay water and sewer district. It doesn't fall on Commissioner Atkinson, the person who spoke about baseball field flooding. That's one district. All commissioners agree they don't want flooded baseball fields, even if it's not in your district. We don't have a great rationale that would save your constituents money to integrate us sooner, or you, Mr. Altman, or Mr. Feltner, or Mr. Goodman. We are in favor of the rollback of 2025 rates by 5.15% with no further rate increases through 2030. We have read the rate analysis and we are in agreement of that. So we urge you to vote yes. We also ask that you consider sunsetting. We are pleased that you have voted to sunset our district and integrate us into the countywide system. We just ask that you reconsider and we'll probably continue in asking that to do it sooner to provide some meaningful rate relief for us. I would ask a question though that I would love answer tonight if possible. Mr. Fontanen said on the August 4th meeting here that our utility is not in compliance with the DEP. We would like to know if that's true or not, and if so, in what way, and if fines are being paid because of it. And I would like to ask each of you if you would share why you... We're in favor of integrating us into the countywide system once the bonds are paid, but not sooner and letting us continue to pay our bonds. Thank you.

We'll mark those questions in here after we hear everyone's input. Next is Hannah Wielander.

Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the commission. I am here also to support the rollback of our fees for 2026 back to the 2025 rate by 5.15%. And also, oops, hold on. I am used to this and I should have this information memorized by now. and no further rate increases, as has been stated, and we really appreciate that. I mean, we are, the biggest reason that we're so concerned about this is because we have a lot of low-income people living in our community, and these are retirees who are on fixed incomes, and they are, they're hurting, and our economy is pretty bad right now, so that's our mission here. is to see what we can do to help them. And we're very happy that you're going to sunset our treatment plant. But again, there has to be some way that it will be beneficial to the county at large as well as the Barefoot Bay Water Sewer District customers to have us integrated sooner. And we're going to try to work on that because we have... inundated Commissioner Atkinson with lots of data uh... and we're continuing to research this but trying to figure out the numbers and how do they mesh uh... how is it that it would be beneficial to both parties without incurring any additional costs for them uh... is important to us as well and I know it's important to you as well so uh... let's see and then the bond debt of course we are still committed and understand that that is our obligation and that we will pay that And so if there is the possibility of integrating us sooner than the end of 2029, beginning of January 1 of 2030, we really would appreciate if you continue to work on that and look into that. It's important. It's very important. And the only... And that we would look to the bond debt as a separate line item. We're committed to paying that. We absolutely are. So thank you very much for your time. Appreciate it very much. And please vote yes.

Thank you so much. Thank you. John Requa.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Here's a copy of what I gave Ms. Atkinson. It's over 500 copies of petitions for what we're talking about. I also agree we want to be integrated as soon as possible. We are thankful for the sunset and the rollback we'd like to see. What I do understand is the dilemma that you have with your constituents. And here's what I would say to them, because you're going to have to say something. I would say to them that you inherited what your predecessors did, which was the wrong thing. And for a couple dollars a month that it's going to cost your constituents, it would be an immense relief to the people of Barefoot Bay to correct that wrong. That's what I would say. And I want to follow it up with this. I want to put more time on this last couple sentences. So I retired from a federal police officer. And during my time of being a police officer, some officers came in one day and told me of a situation during in-service. It was very bad. It was so bad that the military would not participate in that situation. because of the serious physical harm and possibly death. I wrote up that incident and I sent it through the proper channels. It wasn't long after that that I got a visit at 4.30 in the morning. I worked night shift for my captain. When a captain comes in to see you at 4.30 in the morning, that's not a good thing. He proceeded to tell me that He believed I did the right thing and did it the right way. And it definitely has probably saved some lives. But the chief sent him in to request a picture of myself to put on his dartboard. And that it was a good thing that I had already got promoted, because I wouldn't see one. And I had to follow the channels and defend my case, which I did. And I gave them an alternative for the solution, which they now use. Now, that decision I made cost me thousands of dollars in my retirement because I never got promoted after that. And to this day, being retired eight years, I made the right decision. There are consequences for doing something right. And they hurt on my retirement check. But it was the right thing to do. I would do it again. So I understand you have consequences to your constituents for the decisions you make. I wanted to share that story with you so you know I understand.

Thank you for sharing that with us. That's all our cards. Mr. Atkinson?

If there's no board discussion, I'd like to make a motion to approve.

I'll second.

There's a motion to approve, and what we are approving is that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Barefoot Bay Utility Service rate resolution encompassing the Barefoot Bay Water and Sewer District, which reduces and maintains the redistricting rate until sunset on December 31st of 2029. Okay. Was the motion second? All in favor say yay. Yay.

Yay.

Opposed, nay. Carries unanimously. Thank you. Okay, thank you. All right. Okay, I think that's it. Do we have anything else? So let's go to board reports. County manager.

I have no report, thank you.

County attorney. New report, Mr. Chair. District one.

I handed out an item for the commissioners to look at. I would like to direct staff to come back and bring us some information that we could maybe look at doing a local option gas tax. If something, they get a stuff so we can look at maybe over the next couple meetings. A LOT OF THAT WILL WEIGH UPON, YOU KNOW, IF WE GET THIS AND IT'S A USER FEE, YOU GUYS NEXT YEAR WOULD MAYBE NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT WITH TAXES OR LOWER THEM IF WE GET MORE MONEY COMING IN WITH THIS TO HELP COVER ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE. SO IF YOU GUYS ARE WILLING, I'D LIKE TO GET A MOTION TO SEND TO STAFF TO GO PUT TOGETHER SOME INFORMATION FOR US.

Okay.

I'll second the motion, but I have a question, if I may.

If I'm ready for it, we're ready. Okay.

Okay. My question would just be, how does this play in, because I don't know, how does this play into people who drive electric cars on our roads? It doesn't.

It doesn't.

So what do we do about that? Does anybody have any thoughts?

Can I say one thing? I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. Yes, go ahead. WHEN GAS TAX WAS CONCEIVED, THIS WAS AN EASY THING WHEN THE PERSON THAT OWNED THE PUMP WAS THE TAX COLLECTOR. IT HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY. WHEN YOU INCREASE THESE THINGS, YOU ARE CONTINUING TO GET AN INCREASING SHARE OF A DECLINING MARKET. YOU ARE NOT REALLY ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM BECAUSE CARS ARE BECOMING MORE EFFICIENT, THERE ARE MORE ELECTRIC CARS, THERE ARE MORE HYBRIDS, THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF THINGS. IT IS NOT A LONG-TERM FIX AT ALL. The Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Department of Transportation officials are looking at something different because they know that gas tax revenue will continue to shrink. I won't be voting for that, but I just want to share with you that that's the problem with gas tax.

I think if we just get some data back, let staff bring us the numbers and the amount, I'm not going to be here next time you guys do budgets. I went through this one. It's tough. It's either that or you're going to be cutting a lot of people's pay soon. So I would rather just try to figure out a way we can do this because we can't keep taxing our citizens like we are. It's getting tough out there. And people are having a really hard time trying to pay their bills. And it's not just on taxes. It's everything. Peanut butter has gone from 378 to seven something. And it's just wild. So anyways, I thought this was something to look at for you guys in the future. And so I'd like to just have staff come back and bring some data for us. We have a motion and a second.

Commissioners, if I may, if I can just share about the timeline for this, because depending on the direction the board looks at going, it could be important to you. So there are two ways to unlock any of the gas taxes that aren't currently imposed here, and one is by a referendum at a general election. The deadline for 2026 for that passed in August, so no referendum this year, and we're two years away from another referendum date. A super majority of the board, majority plus one vote, could impose the gas tax. In order for that to be effective January 1 of 2027, the board would have to do that on or before October 1 of this year. We only have one regular meeting, which is next week before then. So for anything to take effect, 2027, next week's meeting would pretty much be the only opportunity to do that. If we're only talking about it for planning out into the future and if a January 1, 2028 implementation date is okay, then we don't have that time pressure. I just don't want to bring back a lot of information for you at some point down the road and say, but we didn't tell you it would be too late when we brought this to really do anything about it. So I wanted to share that timeline.

I should have done this earlier, but.

You've only been here a little while, Commissioner.

Can a new board, after they get the data, look at it still, like in December? Can they still?

They can look at it in December, but they couldn't do anything that would take effect prior to the earliest January 1 of 2028 at that point.

All right. You have another question? So if we did get the information right now, would it be outdated or useless later? Or would it still be relevant?

I mean, I assume it would still be relevant. Obviously, the more dated it becomes, the less relevant it is. But if it's looked at in a reasonable amount of time, then

But we could do it still and put it on a ballot down the road too.

We could put it on a ballot for the general election in 2028, which means it could take effect in 2029 or by super majority vote prior to October of next year, the board could do something and it would take effect January 1 of 2028. But next meeting literally is the only opportunity if you wanted something for next year.

So this could be something if Amendment 3 goes through, it would give you guys some tools on a ballot later. So just a thought.

could be and i think that it's prudent we could have had it on this year's ballot there's a lot on this year's ballot already and the fear that we're overloading it so we'll take a look at it the electric car solution could be that service fee tax that everybody would pay you could put that on the electric bill and you could capture some of the road improvements from the utilization of people with electric cars.

Is it possible to do when they register their car? I mean, I have no idea.

If you're charging your car and you're paying a fee on the electricity and that money then would be going to roads and electric consumers would be paying more of their fair share

Is that something staff could also look into in addition to?

Can I say one thing about that just real quick? For the people who drive gas-powered cars, you'd be taxing them twice. Because there's no way on an electric utility that you could just say, well, we're going to charge the people who are charging a car in their garage. I'm not trying to be difficult.

I'm just I'm just saying they pay more in electricity So we're everyone way some every everyone because they're not charging their car.

They may not be charging as much if you consume less less electricity Let's just you know, you could you could say the same thing about the gas tax I drive less or I drive a more efficient car and pay less gas tax, but it does it help a little bit It's not perfect

But at least if you're charging your car in your garage, so you're going to be using more electricity. And if you're paying on the electric bill, you would capture that.

But if there was a flat fee at registration of an electric vehicle?

You could do that. That would probably require state law. I think. Well, that's a good discussion we could have.

It would. And the state has looked at that, I think, in a few legislative sessions. It's been floated early on, but has never gotten much traction.

But didn't they have an impact fee 30 years ago on new cars registered in the state, and the court overturned that and said, you can't do that, you can't charge a new person to the state more for their vehicle registration than somebody who's here currently? My vague recollection from 30 years ago was that was the case.

I don't recall that, but that would make sense.

Yeah. So I just don't see how that's workable.

I really don't know enough about the electric cars, I won't fashion. But do they have to pay for some kind of permit? Because I know at Target and stuff, they plug in. Would it be some way to tap into that, a different fee?

Well, I think I'm, the tax collector's going to say

But I think when you plug in to one of the charging things out there in the world, you might use your credit card or something like that to pay whoever owns that, just like you would if you were going to a gas station.

The 295 initial registration fee you discussed was ruled that it was creating two separate classes of taxpayers, and it was done away with.

Okay. So you... Was that by court or was it by the legislature?

By court. You were in the legislature when it initially passed. I don't think you were there. Well, you may have been there when it was struck down. So that's what that was. It was creating two separate classes of taxpayers, but you would also have to be careful of double taxation. Mm-hmm.

Ms. Cullen, is there something that the electric car people, I'm sorry, I'm really ignorant to this, have to do different to have any kind of charging fee at public places that you know of?

No. At the Division of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, we do not capture what type of power So that would have to be a lot of legislation passed. Okay.

But if we did have that local service fee or tax, that charge for electricity, it would capture some of it because electric car users are going to be buying more electricity.

I'm kind of thinking about the tourists that come through, and they've got to pull over and charge up somewhere. So that's what I'm thinking. Instead of it just being on the citizens here that everybody that drives to the area helps pay for it. That's why I thought the gas tax.

Would the charging stations be a part of that service fee? Those charging stations in the county would then?

If they have an electric bill, yes.

Yeah.

I think if we look at what numbers we're looking at coming in, again, this will help alleviate you guys for next year. And hopefully, we can not raise taxes next year at all and still be able to cover costs. But the Amendment 3 is looking pretty daunting.

I'm not going to call that one. OK. Now, sir, Mr.

Chair.

Again, not to be difficult, but if you're charging an electric vehicle with solar, there's not going to be a fee from the tax collector. That's right. That's exactly right.

And good for you. If you're using solar, you're having...

I'm with you. I gave you guys all a solar panel to demonstrate that you can do this. And thankfully, there's no one charging you to charge your phone up or what have you. So you would get nothing.

Only people charging with solar. That's not a lot.

I can't share that.

The last several years with the legislature, they have had no appetite to increase fees. So I don't see that being something they would be in favor of.

Well, we know they've had an appetite because they've increased fees on us, counties, local governments.

But not fees that are directly connected to them. And those fees are.

Yeah. Yeah.

All right, if you don't have any other questions, I'm going to sit back down.

You don't have to.

I don't want to be up there.

Okay. All right. Well, we have a lot to talk about as we move forward in additional budget workshops. I think the commission has really done a phenomenal job to this point, and we have one more budget hearing to hopefully get through fine. Jim, I see you.

Just a minute.

yeah yeah mr chair there's a couple questions for you make the vote is you know when would you like to brought back um tax collector is correct but we'll look to see what some states are there i vaguely recall some states charging a registration fee we can at least give you the information i will point out the and i'm going to get it wrong public utility tax i believe that's what it's called THAT'S COLLECTED. EVERY CITY COLLECTS IT. THE COUNTY DOES NOT. SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN USE IT FOR GENERAL FUNDS. SO YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME CITIES ALREADY USING IT FOR ROADWAYS IMPROVEMENTS OR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS. OH, AND SHE BEAT ME, TOO. I GOT TO TELL YOU, THIRD NOTE TAX COLLECTION IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT BECAUSE I BROUGHT A CAR IN, PAID THE IMPACT FEE, AND THEN GOT IT REFUNDED. LOW OF THOSE 36 YEARS AGO OR WHENEVER IT WAS. SO, YEAH.

OK, there's a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor say, yay. Yay. Opposed? Nay. Passes. Didn't hear from Goodson. Commissioner Goodson, we didn't hear you.

I'm sorry, what?

Why don't you repeat that motion?

Yes, Commissioner Goodson. I just would like to direct staff to come back with data for us next week so that we – it is next week – so we can look at it and maybe make a decision on whether or not we'd be interested in the local option gas tax.

Okay. Commissioner, I voted yes for that, and I'll vote yes again.

Okay. Thank you. So that's a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Feltoner voting against. Okay. Next – DISTRICT TWO, COMMISSIONER GOODSON, DO YOU HAVE A REPORT?

NOT AT ALL, SIR.

COMMISSIONER ATKINSON, DISTRICT THREE? NO REPORT. COMMISSIONER FOUR? COMMISSIONER FELTNER?

I UNDERSTAND TODAY IT'S THE CHAIR'S BIRTHDAY. DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT? I THINK WE SHOULD ALL SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.

I EMBARRASSED MYSELF DOING THIS ONCE BEFORE. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

Thank you. That is a wonderful thought. Appreciate it. It's wonderful. 71 today. Wow. 71. I'm thankful to be here and thankful to all of you here today. And I have no report. And I think that's it. Meeting's adjourned. Thank you very much.

The opinions expressed by any member of the public during any period of public comment do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, Space Coast Government Television, or the program sponsor and are solely those of the presenter. The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, Space Coast Government Television, and the program sponsor hereby expressly disclaim any and all responsibility or liability for any defamatory or slanderous statements expressed by any member of the public during any such period.