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Cocoa advances preliminary fire assessment increase; stormwater rates held steady for FY 2026
Summary
Cocoa staff proposed a 3% preliminary increase to the city's fire assessment and recommended no change to the stormwater assessment for FY 2026; final hearings are scheduled for Aug. 26.
City of Cocoa staff on July 15 asked council to approve preliminary resolutions for two non‑ad valorem assessments that fund fire protection and stormwater services for fiscal year 2026.
Finance staff presented a recommended 3% increase to the city's fire assessment, citing a Stantec review of revenue and expenses. The 3% adjustment is projected to yield about $3.9 million in gross revenue and would fund roughly 40% of the fire department's $9.9 million budget; staff said the residential impact is roughly a $7.50 increase to the annual bill. A final public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26.
On stormwater, staff recommended a 0% change for fiscal 2026. Stantec's review supports maintaining current rates; staff said the stormwater assessment is projected to generate about $2.4 million and cover a budget of roughly the same amount. A final hearing is also set for Aug. 26.
Council approved both preliminary resolutions at the July meeting to set the public‑notice schedule and continue the formal hearing process. Staff reiterated that these votes are preliminary: the final rates will be adopted after public notice and the August hearings.
Council members did not request major changes during the July 15 presentation but asked that the public notice materials make the residential impacts clear. Council directed staff to circulate details ahead of the Aug. 26 final hearings so residents can review estimated bill impacts.
