Brevard tourism grants go through with exception of Renaissance Fair, Cocoa Beach races
In the latest twist in how Brevard County spends tourism tax money, three long-running events that bring thousands of visitors to the Space Coast will no longer receive grants from the county, according to News 6 partner Florida Today.
No new ad valorem taxes if Merritt Island becomes city, study concludes
Months since Brevard County commissioned a study on what it might cost to make Merritt Island a city, the final feasibility report concludes, โThe initial impacts on residents of Merritt Island would be very limited. There would be no new ad valorem taxes.โ
Brevard County commissioners OK $30M marketing grant to Cocoa Beach Westin hotel project
Brevard County commissioners โ ignoring its own advisory panel's recommendation โ approved a controversial proposal to grant of up to $30 million to the developer behind the planned Westin Cocoa Beach Resort & Spa.
Bars, restaurants in unincorporated Brevard County can soon sell alcohol 24/7
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Brevard County commissioners on Tuesday voted to advance with deregulating alcohol sales hours at bars and restaurants in unincorporated communities of the county. Commissioners supported author John Tobia, who called county restrictions preventing alcohol sales between 2 and 7 a.m., โpointless regulations.โโThis would increase the freedom of residents, visitors and business owners in Brevard County,โ Tobia wrote in his proposal. โIf bars are open longer, people will leave when they want to leave,โ Smith said. Selling alcohol 24/7 would not apply to the countyโs municipalities, like spring break hotspot Cocoa Beach. Tobia said commissioners must hold one more vote on the ordinance before it goes into effect.
โNot going to force a needle into someoneโs arm:โ Brevard shoots down vaccine mandate
Ad[TRENDING: Tiger Woodsโ leg shattered in rollover crash | Orlando City player faces sex charge | Woman loses $100,000 to romance conman]โThis is a simple policy looking out for the well-being of the citizens of Brevard County,โ Tobia said at Tuesdayโs County Commission meeting. Iโm not going to support a mandatory vaccine, but I do get your point,โ Commission Chair Rita Pritchett told Tobia. โBut itโs their choice, not ours.โThe announcement of Tobiaโs proposal drew concern and frustration last week from some local firefighters and their supporters, including the Brevard County Professional Firefighters union. Tobia balked at the frequent comparison during the meeting between his vaccine mandate and a countywide mask mandate, proposed last summer by Lober. โIโve got union firefighters advocating for up to a 30% raise,โ he said.
Brevard commissioner wants to require vaccines for firefighters, EMTs
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ There are already incentives in place for first responders in Brevard County to get the COVID-19 vaccine. County Commissioner John Tobia wants to make it mandatory. Heโs scheduled to propose a new policy requiring firefighters, EMTs and paramedics to get the COVID-19 vaccine during the next commissionerโs meeting. Tobia is referring to the results of a survey, conducted by the Brevard County Firefighters Union in December. I want them to be protected.โMichel Bramson, president of the Brevard County firefighterโs union said the commissioner didnโt even talk to him about this policy or get any insight from other firefighters.
Brevard commissioners lambaste outgoing Florida Today editor with โhonoraryโ proclamation
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Brevard County Commissioners targeted an outgoing Florida Today editor with a resolution Tuesday โhonoringโ her but instead the commissioners targeted the journalistโs nationality and the decline of newspaper sales. Florida Today engagement editor Isadora Rangel announced last week she was leaving after 3.5 years at the Brevard County paper for a new position with the Miami Herald. After reading the โmore palatableโ of his suggestions to add to the resolution, Lober removed his mask to read the second. After laughs all around from the Brevard County Commission, Tobia recommended the commission stick with the first addition Lober suggested but not the second targeting Rangelโs Brazilian nationality. Editorโs note: News 6 has a content sharing agreement with Florida Today that does not include opinion or editorial pieces.
Brevard earmarks nearly $2 million to help small businesses affected by COVID-19
Brevard County gives away more PPE to small businessesBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Nearly $2 million will be going toward helping Brevard Countyโs small businesses recover from COVID-19 losses. [TRENDING: Rare โChristmas starโ puts on a show | Suspects sold โjail brokenโ Amazon Fire Sticks | Who will be the next to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?] Commissioner Bryan Lober responded that federal CARES money would not come out of first respondersโ paychecks, it would be cut from capital projects. The owner of a salon in Melbourne said heโs taken advantage of the countyโs PPE giveaways since they started. The owner of the Younique Spa also said his employees are anticipating receiving the next round of stimulus checks.
Brevard Commission OKs $10M program to help small businesses, nonprofits hurt by coronavirus
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Brevard County small businesses and nonprofit organizations will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $10,000 apiece to offset some of their expenses and lost revenue related to the coronavirus pandemic, News 6 partner Florida Today reported. The grant program with a total budget of $10 million was approved Tuesday by the Brevard County Commission. Money for the grants will come from Brevard County's $105.03 million federal allocation from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. With a maximum of $10,000 per grant, the $10 million would help at least 1,000 small businesses and nonprofits. Commissioner Curt Smith said that its really critical that we get the money out there to small businesses.