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Cocoa Beach adopts resolution to cooperate with governor’s efficiency team; council seeks state help on TDC restrictions, lifeguard funding
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a resolution to cooperate with the governor’s Office of Policy and Budget government-efficiency team and instructed staff and the city lobbyist to pursue state remedies to allow Tourist Development Council funds to better support public safety costs, including lifeguards.
The Cocoa Beach City Commission voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution authorizing city cooperation with the Office of Policy and Budget and its government-efficiency ("DOGE") team and to direct the city’s lobbyist and staff to pursue state-level action addressing the city’s stated public-safety funding gap tied to Tourist Development Council (TDC) restrictions.
Commission discussion framed the vote as a request for assistance in addressing what commissioners described as a mismatch between local public-safety demands generated by tourism and the state statute’s limitations on how TDC/bed-tax revenues can be used. Several commissioners said they want the city’s legislative representatives and hired lobbyist to press for statutory changes that would permit TDC funds or other state mechanisms to help pay for lifeguards, police and other visitor-facing public safety expenses.
Public comment included both endorsements and concerns. One commenter warned the governor’s efficiency team historically recommends cuts and cautioned against an unfettered review of municipal budgets. Supporters said a resolution would raise visibility for the issue and could provide leverage to pursue a statutory change.
The resolution passed 5-0. Commissioners asked staff to provide the resolution to the city’s lobbyist and to coordinate outreach to state legislators; the commission also asked staff to fill in any necessary budget figures for clarity in subsequent communications.
Ending: The resolution creates an authorized pathway for the city to cooperate with the governor’s efficiency team and instructs staff and the city’s lobbyist to pursue statutory changes related to TDC use for public-safety services; any legislative change would still require action at the state level.
