Cocoa council extends city manager’s contract amid budget briefing and Brightline push; vote 4–1

The City of Cocoa on April 29 approved a second addendum to City Manager Stockton Witton’s employment agreement that extends the term through July 30, 2029, with the manager’s current annual salary to be adjusted only by approved annual employee wage increases. The motion passed 4–1, with Councilwoman Koss recording the lone dissent.

Mayor framed the extension around several major city projects — including work to attract and prepare for the Brightline/Bridal Lane station — and praised the manager’s role in pursuing those initiatives. During discussion the manager described the addendum as “less than a two-year extension” and said the salary shown in the amendment is his current compensation and not a raise.

Separately, finance staff presented the city’s revenue outlook as the council begins budget development. Rebecca Bowman told council the city currently collects about $13,000,000 in property taxes and that the police department budget alone is about $14,000,000; she warned that proposed state-level homestead exemptions could reduce city recurring revenue significantly, with a rough estimate of $2.8 million lost if homestead taxes were entirely eliminated and other scenarios in the $1.4 million range.

The meeting also included a presentation from the fire chief about staffing and overtime: staff said overtime is projected at roughly $731,000 this year against a $300,000 budget, producing a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar shortfall once pension, FICA and workers-comp costs are added. "1000000 dollars is not sustainable for any organization, not any organization whatsoever," the fire chief said, arguing for continued attention to staffing solutions and recruitment.

Council voted on the extension after public comment and discussion; staff will proceed with contract paperwork and continue budget work with the priorities council members provide.