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Palm Bay Municipal Foundation dissolves disaster-relief subcommittee, councilors say funds will remain with foundation
Summary
The Palm Bay Municipal Foundation’s disaster relief subcommittee was dissolved by a 5-0 vote after discussion about limited fundraising, where raised funds are spent, and freeing city staff time; the foundation will continue to exist.
Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffney and other members of the Palm Bay Municipal Foundation voted 5-0 to dissolve the foundation’s disaster-relief subcommittee on Jan. 1, 2025.
Members said they want funds raised under the foundation to be used locally and to reduce staff time spent supporting the subcommittee. The city manager reported the foundation’s balance and advised that the foundation itself — rather than a separate subcommittee — could handle local gifts and disbursements.
The discussion began when a board member suggested dissolving the subcommittee, arguing that the group struggled to raise funds and had sent money outside Palm Bay rather than addressing local needs. “I don't see the point of having a board. Number 1, they have a hard time getting funds, fundraising. And then we're taking this money, and we're sending it internationally for relief,” a board member said during the meeting. That speaker said they preferred the subcommittee be eliminated and funds be used within the city.
Another member described the subcommittee’s fundraising sources as community events. “All the money we get for that board is all funded from fundraisers and stuff we do within the community. For example, when we have the July 4 celebration, the money from the parking goes into this,” a committee member said. The same speaker estimated “around $7,000” in the account.
City Manager Morgan told the board the actual balance in the foundation was $4,354.14 and that the balance has declined since 2019, when the mayor’s ball contributed close to $15,000. Morgan said staff members who have supported the subcommittee asked whether the foundation could perform the work directly to free staff hours, though he did not provide a specific count of staff hours saved.
Several members said they wanted the foundation’s gifts to be spent in Palm Bay or at least within Brevard County rather than directed overseas. Councilman Hammer volunteered to chair committee efforts tied to local fundraising and events, including VIP parking at community events and planned activities such as first-Friday tournaments; those events were described as past or planned fundraising opportunities rather than guaranteed ongoing revenue.
After discussion, Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffney moved to dissolve the disaster-relief subcommittee; Mr. Langevin seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. The meeting record states only the tally (5–0) and does not list individual recorded votes by name in the transcript.
Board and staff members clarified that the Palm Bay Municipal Foundation itself would remain in place and that the vote applied only to the disaster-relief subcommittee. A staff member confirmed that mayor’s-ball fundraising and other foundation activities could continue under the foundation even if the subcommittee was dissolved.
With the motion carried, the chair moved on to the next agenda item and adjourned the meeting.
