Melbourne Beach commission OKs immediate emergency funds to free manatee trapped in stormwater box

The Melbourne Beach Town Commission on an emergency call unanimously approved immediate emergency spending of up to $30,000 to extract a live manatee trapped in a stormwater baffle box and to repair the road, with authority to return for a second vote to increase the cap to $60,000 if necessary.

Town Manager Amari Smith told the commission that surveyors found the animal around 2:30–3:00 a.m. inside a large baffle box at Basin 10 near Oak and Riverview. "They found a manatee in one of the stormwater management pipes," Smith said, estimating the animal at "about 1,200 pounds, about at least 9 feet long." She said the manatee likely crawled into the box seeking warmer water after a recent cold snap and became trapped.

Why it matters: the extraction requires heavy equipment to remove a concrete lid on the baffle box, a procedure the town does not have the capacity to perform safely with local crews. Town staff said private contractor estimates for equipment and extraction were roughly $50,000–$60,000, which prompted the emergency vote to authorize immediate work and limit further spending until the commission can reconvene if costs increase.

Smith and others reported that the town contacted Brevard County emergency management (John Scott), Brevard County Commissioner Kim Atkinson and County Manager Jim Wiesenfeld; the county agreed to collaborate and to supply heavy equipment it believes will handle the lid removal. Smith said state wildlife responders were on scene and SeaWorld staff had offered a large sling and animal-transport expertise.

A commissioner proposed, and the board accepted, a friendly amendment to limit the town’s authorization to the extrication and the road repairs associated with the rescue. Town Clerk Amber Brown read the final motion aloud: "to approve up to $30,000, and then if the cost goes above that, it will have to come in front of the commission for a second motion for an up to $60,000, and that would be for the extrication of the manatee and the repairs of the road." The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Commissioners asked the manager to seek clarification from the town attorney and from county staff about cost-sharing so municipal taxpayers are not charged for work that should be borne by the county or other partners. Amber Brown also reminded the commission that actions taken at an emergency meeting must be ratified at a regularly noticed meeting; she said the item will be placed on the next regular agenda for formal ratification.

Police and fire staff said they will remain on site to manage crowd control and traffic while county and wildlife teams lead the extraction. Smith said she would post a brief update to the town website and field media inquiries, directing technical questions about animal handling to Florida wildlife responders.

The commission adjourned after the vote. Officials confirmed county crews and other partners were already working at the scene when the emergency meeting concluded.