Summary
Sunrise Consulting outlined the 2025 legislative session results and council members discussed a draft list of appropriations requests including police range funding, a fire‑station site, ITS expansion, and wastewater/septic‑to‑sewer tranches.
Sunrise Consulting lobbyist Andrew Colell briefed the Palm Bay City Council on the 2025 Florida legislative session, then led a council discussion about possible state appropriations and local priorities for 2026.
Colell described a contentious 2025 session that produced fewer bills than prior years and noted differences among the governor, the Senate and the House over taxing and spending. He thanked Palm Bay’s legislators for their work and reviewed appropriation outcomes for the city: a $1 million appropriation for water quality work in the Turkey Creek area was secured; two line‑item requests (a $500,000 fiber‑optic project and an $80,000 item for the police communications center) were included in the budget but subsequently vetoed by the governor.
Colell also summarized notable bills, including Senate Bill 180, an emergency‑preparedness and land‑development bill that restricts certain local land‑use moratoria and limits changes to land‑development regulations for one year after a named storm within 100 miles. He described the practical implications and said the legislature may revisit some provisions.
City staff presented a draft list of potential 2026 funding requests and asked council for direction. Requests discussed included:
- Phase 2 of the Palm Bay police range upgrades: staff asked for $1,500,000 to build the Sergeant Frank Tobar regional tactical training building; Representative Miller reportedly is seeking a 50% local match for appropriations. City staff said a proposed local match of $300,000 could be considered and other capital reserves might be used.
- Fire Station 8 site work (St. John’s Heritage Parkway and Malabar Road): an estimated $2,800,000 for site work was discussed.
- Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) expansion and prioritized corridor work including Babcock Street and Emerson Drive: staff and council identified PD&E (planning and environmental) studies and potential design funding as priorities.
- Septic‑to‑sewer program expansion and a potential Menzi‑muck (canal/algae harvester) procurement estimated at roughly $650,000; staff said grants could be explored and suggested multijurisdictional procurement if several localities would share use of equipment.
Colell recommended submitting a balanced package of three to five projects that span public safety, water quality and transportation, noting legislative success often depends on delegation relationships and where projects align with committee chairs and appropriations leadership. Councilmembers emphasized public safety, roads and ITS as top priorities; Deputy Mayor Jaffe recommended a longer list for flexibility during negotiations.
Mayor Medina volunteered to present Palm Bay’s priorities at the Brevard County legislative delegation meeting set for September 30. Staff and the city’s lobbyist said they will refine a proposed list and return to council in September for a final set of requests.
