Brevard County weighs stormwater fee hike and sales tax restructuring for infrastructure

Brevard County weighs stormwater fee hike and sales tax restructuring for infrastructureFacing funding gaps for flood control and water quality, officials are considering adjusting stagnant stormwater assessments and expanding a sales tax referendum.

Staff proposed adjusting the stormwater utility fee from $64 to approximately $85.80 to match CPI, which would generate an additional $2.7 million annually.

The Board adopted the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan 2026 Update in a 4-1 vote.

Commissioners discussed replacing the specific half-cent lagoon tax with a broader 1-cent infrastructure surtax to fund wider capital needs.

Approval was granted to seek Congressional funding for land acquisition for a new regional wastewater treatment facility in Port St. Johns.

The county will apply for a Hazard Mitigation Grant to fund a $400,000 master plan for the Salt Lake Watershed following recent flooding.

Brevard County officials are reviewing critical funding mechanisms for water and stormwater infrastructure, driven by identified funding gaps and the need for flood control and water quality improvements. During a discussion on legislative intent for upcoming ballot measures, county staff highlighted that the stormwater utility fee has remained flat at $64 since 2014. Staff noted that the county is currently about 40% below the statewide average for such fees. For context, comparable Florida jurisdictions often levy higher annual equivalent rates to support maintenance and capital planning; Hillsborough and Leon counties, for example, collect approximately $77 to $85 annually per equivalent residential unit, while Charlotte County assessments can exceed $128. Adjusting Brevard's rate for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the last decade would bring the fee to $85.80, generating an estimated annual revenue increase of $2.7 million. These funds could be allocated between water quality initiatives and flood control projects. The Board also debated the future of the "Save Our Indian River Lagoon" (SORL) program. Commissioners discussed whether to renew the existing half-cent sales tax dedicated specifically to the lagoon or to replace it with a broader 1-cent Local Government Infrastructure Discretionary Sales Surtax. A broader tax would require new interlocal agreements with municipalities but could fund a wider array of infrastructure projects beyond environmental restoration. The Board directed staff to prepare the necessary legal information to preserve these options for the November ballot. In related business, the Commission voted 4-1 to adopt the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan 2026 Update. Additionally, the Board approved a request to apply for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to fund a Salt Lake Watershed Master Plan. The project is estimated to cost $400,000, requiring a 25% county match, and aims to address flooding issues in District 1. On the wastewater side, the Commissioners authorized the submittal for a Congressional funding allocation for land acquisition. This acquisition is specifically for the siting of a new regional wastewater treatment facility in Port St. Johns, intended to support the region and the space industry. Finally, regarding water quality monitoring, the Board directed staff to update the county website with detailed PFAS information and to include notifications in utility bills to direct ratepayers to the new data, ahead of mandatory EPA reporting requirements scheduled for 2027.