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Melbourne Beach OKs up to $10,000 for staff training after employee survey
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Summary
The commission approved up to $10,000 to begin staff coaching and trust-building workshops following an employee survey that flagged low trust in leadership; the vote was 4-1 and will also prompt a follow-up survey in FY27.
The Melbourne Beach Town Commission voted 4-1 on April 15 to allocate up to $10,000 to begin staff training aimed at addressing results of an October 2025 employee survey that identified low trust and morale.
Town Manager Marie Smith told commissioners she'd sought an initial $10,000 to begin trust-building workshops and skill training, saying the intent is to stabilize the workforce and give staff tools to handle difficult situations. "I'm asking for $10,000 to begin, this training, seminars for our staff to address some of their needs and to build trust again with town leadership," Smith said.
Commissioners and public commenters praised staff dedication but questioned whether training alone would be effective unless commissioners also buy into cultural change. Several residents urged the commission to support the investment; one speaker said staff are "our most important asset."
Finance director and manager said the funds could be drawn from budget laps (savings) related to firefighter hiring; Smith said she would identify the specific line item and carry the amount in the proposed budget. The motion passed 4-1; the commission also asked the manager to place a follow-up employee survey in the fiscal year 2027 budget to measure effectiveness.
The manager and commission stressed that the training is intended to be an initial step and that staff performance and outcomes would be re-evaluated with later surveys.
