The Cocoa Beach City Commission on Sept. 4 approved a tentative millage rate of 6 mills for fiscal year 2026 and moved to approve the city's tentative budget for the same year.

The millage vote was taken by roll call. Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Tomlenty, Vice Mayor Williams and Mayor Keith Capizzi voted in favor; Commissioner Hutchison voted no. Adoption of the final millage rate is scheduled by resolution for Sept. 18, 2025, according to staff.

The budget item was presented by staff as the next step toward final adoption. Finance Director Hannah Juman and City Manager A.J. Hudson were listed as staff representatives for the budget item. During public comment, resident K.P. King questioned two line items he said he saw in the draft budget: more than $1 million listed for Bicentennial Park and another more-than-$1-million allocation for a vegetation island related to the municipal golf course. King said he believed those items were already fully grant-funded and asked whether both appropriations were necessary.

City Manager A.J. Hudson responded that, to his understanding, the items were grant-funded or otherwise already fully funded, and staff would review the budget details. The budget item on the agenda package listed adoption of the budget by resolution number 2025-17 scheduled for Sept. 18, 2025.

Staff indicated the tentative millage and budget approvals are preparatory steps required by state law and local procedures; final adoption and appropriation will follow public notice and a final vote later in September. The approvals on Sept. 4 allow staff to proceed with required public notices and to continue departmental budget work ahead of the final hearing.

City officials did not provide additional line-item detail during the meeting; the precise funding sources and whether the questioned park and golf-course items will remain in the final adopted budget were not specified. Residents seeking specifics were advised to consult the finance department or the published budget documents before the Sept. 18 final hearing.

Less urgent follow-up: the commission scheduled final votes and formal adoption procedures for the millage and budget on Sept. 18, 2025.