Council reviews and refines proposed 2026 state legislative priorities; adds CRA support and workforce development

The council reviewed an initial draft of the city’s 2026 state legislative priorities on Sept. 11 and provided direction to staff on several items to include before staff submits formal funding requests.

Staff said the Brevard legislative delegation meeting is Sept. 30 and that the city’s deadline for submitting specific funding requests is Oct. 15. Staff and councilors discussed the Florida League of Cities and Space Coast League of Cities positions and recommended adding language opposing legislation that would eliminate or significantly limit local government revenue authority and adding support for preserving home rule and for revisions to last year’s SB 180 that limited local adoption of land‑use changes following hurricanes. Councilors also asked staff to add explicit support for Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) — a councilor said the legislature had previously attempted to eliminate CRAs — and to include a request supporting workforce development initiatives.

Council consensus was to finalize the priorities with those additions and to add Holmes Park as a potential funding request for the delegation, while noting staff will refine the packet as League of Cities materials and timing develop. The mayor typically represents the city at the Brevard delegation meeting, staff said.