[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6169368,"mediaKeyId","5404493-cbc5bf2eb5349debf07271e61ed401d1","parentId",5404493,"title","Councilors support staff study to reopen Leon and Jewel Collins Museum; community committee and part‑time attendant proposed","audioSeconds",1109,"startMs",7200000,"endMs",8309000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404493-cbc5bf2eb5349debf07271e61ed401d1&start=7200&end=8309","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404493-cbc5bf2eb5349debf07271e61ed401d1/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6169368/Cocoa/Brevard-County/Florida/Councilors-support-staff-study-to-reopen-Leon-and-Jewel-Collins-Museum-community-committee-and-parttime-attendant-proposed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169368-dc1f2576eb621076a892879884753e24/orig.mp4?Expires=1775791386&Signature=WoYoEycCWp~AbAeEp0ySbQjuUCRF7sh1XuhLL07dGgt6g8zpm0uuB6BCj6MdPDS8DKYdaBlt6Sx~Oi3M3EZoG1aTO4XL6uuXpgTCl~P9cnli-IQTzV8L4zR7G41lslKl8uDJshAj~SzLXAotkKDtSvbyQiBK5GV93iogqmeDeQbuoXeUu4CE9TjZR-QL0Evx33zTyYeg3DBYplWCJkkGxPi-3kjWoK21Y7LYnJPWXwrr~8dlTiIYkyMqSf69ZgGk4mLH9E6BOPvwewDLX-g-VbbP~0cyaCF304ZMwpz~JFifa-abuzBVhAU7K3JZBNftkcLZahbjJohGEIUPsQEKLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Cocoa, FL","date","2025-07-16T11:57:29Z","article","Volunteers and council members told the Cocoa City Council they want the Leon and Jewel Collins Museum reopened to public hours and programming, and the council asked staff to return with an actionable plan that could include a part‑time attendant and a community advisory committee.

Greg Stowell, a volunteer with local museums and the Space Coast TPO, urged a modest, practical “plan B” to open Collins quickly while staff and the council continue to consider longer-term operating models. “Create a position at the Collins Museum for a facility attendant, part time, preferably from the community who knows the history and is willing to be the face of the museum,” Stowell said. He also recommended an open house to recruit volunteers and a short-term operating plan that relies on volunteers, interns and a small city-supported staff role.

Why it matters: council members said reopening the museum would preserve local history, enable oral-history projects, and provide programming tied to the city’s cultural heritage. Several council members proposed forming a community committee to guide programming and volunteer recruitment, and suggested using an existing vacant intern slot or reallocating a small budget item to pay a part‑time attendant while the city develops a longer-term operating model.

Caveats and next steps: staff and councilors noted past complications around museum property, collections and operating arrangements; a final staffing and funding approach will be brought back to council for formal action. City Manager Witten confirmed staff will explore an intern or part‑time funding approach, prepare an RFP or memorandum of understanding as appropriate, and present options for council consideration. Several council members asked staff to schedule a future workshop or special meeting at the museum to allow extended public discussion.

Ending: no formal budget amendment or hiring decision was made at the workshop; council direction was to develop options and return with recommended steps and cost estimates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special City Council Meeting, July 15h, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members and local volunteers urged reopening the Leon and Jewel Collins Museum. Volunteer leader Greg Stowell proposed hiring a part‑time facility attendant and convening a community committee; council directed staff to return with implementation options.","taxTitle","Cocoa, Brevard County, Florida","taxId",56163,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169373,"Cocoa notified of two community project awards; city staff says DEP recommended federal funding for water project",559,220000,779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404493-cbc5bf2eb5349debf07271e61ed401d1&start=220&end=779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404493-cbc5bf2eb5349debf07271e61ed401d1/thumbnail_220000.jpg","/articles/6169373/Cocoa/Brevard-County/Florida/Cocoa-notified-of-two-community-project-awards-city-staff-says-DEP-recommended-federal-funding-for-water-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169373-8f6067b3701b8511ba2e341b8451e938/orig.mp4?Expires=1775791386&Signature=UFtKv4onbp7SBhe~dhj6mn8axF6nTfGOJKY19bPffP4rXbEiRWKG~FhnhMY~LUfwlOHVe8aGPOyCN2YCdCXpUktfTQvOZ63fzj6-FGovKQbRqwYASWTUalQBKE3ErQJkB8iV1WZcvViycamhwBoRUQIA~StfiJZOJoovGT3FlLWE5mjnRc-y2anEEvgL-2D84mSfwMLQiB-0dezalca8MsCDHhJ5Dt5kFdIgK0hOPXjIdMHHCvBHsFsqw7GS-KKtxYW3rqURM3DFLmCPN2TVfoA8j2Qj3n9Y4V-IqUPum6g0dcslLjStwO9QU7ZxxGbMoktOwbeUApVmb2XgOSbYMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Witten told the Cocoa City Council that staff recently received notices of success on several grant and congressional appropriation requests that could add federal and state funding to local infrastructure projects.

Witten said the city applied for Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 319 funds and that DEP recommended a federal EPA award for the homeowner side of an identified project; Witten said the federal portion was reported as $1.8 million. Separately, staff submitted six congressional appropriation (community project) requests and were notified that two requests were awarded: $2,000,000 for a Cocoa multimodal passenger station and $1.25 million toward a septic-to-sewer conversion project, according to Witten. Witten said staff coordinated the requests with congressional staff and department directors and that Samantha (city staff) led much of the letter drafting and coordination.

Witten also said the city applied for a state water-quality grant that staff listed as approximately $5.296 million and that the mix of DEP, state and federal dollars will be folded into capital plans; he asked staff to update grant applications and public materials now that the city has additional potential funding.

Why it matters: city staff said the awards and recommendations—if finalized—would reduce the share of local capital paid by the city for BMAP (Basin Management Action Plan) and other water‑quality projects and would add outside funding for transportation and sewer conversion work.

Caveats and next steps: council members and staff noted that DEP’s recommendation to EPA is not the same as an EPA award and that some grant or appropriation steps remain before funds would be available. Witten said the DEP has historically recommended a high percentage of projects to EPA for funding but that the city will continue required follow-up and grant administration steps. Staff said the city will amend the water-quality application and update the website with confirmed award amounts once formal notices are received.

Ending: staff asked council members to direct any questions to the city manager; no formal council vote was required or taken on the grant notifications during the workshop.","City staff told the council of successful grant and appropriations notices that could reduce local capital needs, including a Stantec-noted DEP recommendation to the EPA and two community project awards for a multimodal station and septic-to-sewer conversion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169378,"Cocoa manager presents balanced $195 million budget; staff and consultants recommend steady millage and modest utility increases",3366,113000,3479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404493-cbc5bf2eb5349debf07271e61ed401d1&start=113&end=3479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404493-cbc5bf2eb5349debf07271e61ed401d1/thumbnail_113000.jpg","/articles/6169378/Cocoa/Brevard-County/Florida/Cocoa-manager-presents-balanced-195-million-budget-staff-and-consultants-recommend-steady-millage-and-modest-utility-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169378-073f619decc648b66f26f8dea8cb81f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775791386&Signature=HEG~6qxLrhOn7qbspsUcy1soGK2OX4gYg0zia0R0YGg4oITUPDPetUqdM1sSP5pnHgZVNW~fktSpjtF~IKbby5bXci8fayuT9yIZKu923A09dVwoTZWnVILhM70bmIfJxC9JbKIawgmYE9eW8yTaCKCXA8cjt73-g-CQOhAOCqmPqkzvgjl2PMGgmv-YwoU-jGo8L7sDBVoejdVDo-mFutFD7h3EDrXtG~Wg7CP2ML4ifvgD0XmhTKi~IQVxOj99CT3So0qQWBcKeJb4gYordvIItp~XQH~7HOb2rZlJdB8l~Hf6wdBzkCmpnApTUCFSAIaZU2rt~29swo86Auxwrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Witten on Tuesday presented a balanced FY2026 budget proposal and a financial outlook showing the city can hold its current property tax rate while covering planned operating and capital needs without drawing on general-fund savings. Stantec consultant Peter Napoli told the council his 10-year model supports keeping the millage rate steady and applying modest, phased increases to enterprise and special-assessment rates.

The budget proposal totals approximately $195 million, roughly 12% higher than the prior year, driven mainly by utility capital work. The general fund is about $52 million. Witten said taxable value rose about 6.1% this year to nearly $1.9 billion, and that water-utility revenue remains “our financial lifeline,” covering an estimated $22 million–$24 million that helps fund general government services.

Stantec’s analysis, presented by Napoli, recommends: continuing the current millage (6.9532), 3% annual increases to the fire assessment, and 4% annual increases to water and sewer rates. Napoli said the 4% glide path on utilities is intended to maintain reserves, fund cash capital and meet debt-service coverage needs: “that’s what’s necessary for a sustainable plan,” he said. For stormwater, Stantec recommended no increase for the FY2026 assessment but cautioned that a return to 4% increases could be needed in subsequent years depending on capital needs.

Why it matters: the city manager emphasized that the budget is structurally balanced without using general‑fund balances for capital next year and that the city’s tax base and utility revenues drive long‑term flexibility. Witten told the council the proposal includes competitive pay adjustments (generally in the 6%–8% range) and a small number of additional positions intended to keep service levels as the city grows.

Key details and next steps: Witten and staff said the proposed millage will appear on the tentative millage notice in the property-appraiser mailings tied to the Truth in Millage (TRIM) process; the council will set the tentative millage on July 22 with two hearings scheduled in September to finalize the rate. Napoli and staff said the general‑fund capital plan averages about $2.3 million per year after carry-forward projects, and that Stantec’s 10‑year forecasts assume no new recurring service levels beyond what is included in the FY2026 proposal.

What the council asked: members sought detail on reserve targets, taxable‑value assumptions, and how much future growth is included for planned subdivisions and the Intermodal Station. Napoli said his taxable‑value assumptions include a conservative blend of existing growth and an allowance for new construction; if capital costs or new projects grow beyond current assumptions, he said the model would be revisited to advise higher rate increases.

Discussion vs. decision: the council did not vote on rates Tuesday; staff presented a proposed balanced budget and recommended rate plan. The council directed staff to return the tentative millage as scheduled and to bring any requested follow-up material to the July 22 meeting so members can consider adjustments before the September hearings.

Ending note: the proposal prioritizes sustaining reserves and funding required utility projects while recommending measured, recurring rate steps rather than taking reserves or large one‑time measures to meet capital needs.","City Manager Witten presented a balanced FY2026 budget proposal and Stantec’s financial analysis recommending the current millage be maintained, a 3% annual increase to the fire assessment, 4% annual increases for water and sewer, and no stormwater increase for FY2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilors support staff study to reopen Leon and Jewel Collins Museum; community committee and part‑time attendant proposed

Cocoa notified of two community project awards; city staff says DEP recommended federal funding for water project

Cocoa manager presents balanced $195 million budget; staff and consultants recommend steady millage and modest utility increases