Cocoa Beach approves $30,000 to sustain part‑time senior center director after residents speak in favor

The Cocoa Beach City Commission on first consideration approved a $30,000 allocation for the Cocoa Beach Senior Center to fund a part‑time director, following extended public comment that stressed the center’s role in senior health and social connection.

Residents and center representatives told commissioners the requested cash would pay the coordinator who manages memberships, classes and outreach. “That amount that we’re requesting … pays for a our part‑time director who coordinates everything. Handles the memberships, handles the phone calls, signs people up, … so that we don’t have to,” said Jenny Burris, a volunteer fitness director and board member of the Senior Center.

Several speakers described the center’s programming and clinical benefits. “If it weren’t for the center, my mom would just be alone in her oceanfront condo sitting,” said Lila Gilbert, a contract instructor who estimated more than 1,000 class attendances annually and said the center provides vital social connections that help seniors remain active and independent. Mike Nichols, a physical therapist and board member, said partnerships such as community paramedic outreach and regular safety programming depend on paid coordination.

Commissioners asked for more financial transparency before future funding decisions. City staff and commissioners discussed the value of in‑kind support for use of city facilities; staff noted a prior in‑kind calculation of about $124,800, while one commissioner said a conservative practical figure might be nearer $50,000. Commissioners said the city provides in‑kind resources and that the requested cash is intended to preserve an essential staff role that volunteer labor could not reliably sustain.

Several commissioners said they would support one year of funding but asked the Senior Center to provide a formal memorandum of understanding, audited or multi‑year financial statements, and documentation of insurance and operational policies going forward. Pete Cunningham, president of the Senior Center board, said the board had submitted annual financial statements prepared by a local CPA in past years and that membership has been rebuilding since pandemic closures.

The motion to provide $30,000 for FY27 passed unanimously, 5‑0. Commissioners directed staff to return any standard MOU or reporting requirements the commission should attach to future cash awards and to seek clearer multi‑year financials from the center for subsequent budget cycles.

The allocation funds a salaried part‑time position; specifics of the position’s hours and benefits were discussed as part of the public record and the board said the role is salaried with flexible duties tied to the center’s programming and events. Commissioners closed the item by urging continued transparency and asking staff to work with the board on an MOU for next year.