Where Is It All Going?
A review of the total budgets for Brevard County revealed unprecedented increases the last two
years. The increases for years 2005 and 2006 over 2004 total $513,686,322. This is a total increase of approximately 62% from 2004. Our population grew about 20,000. That equates to approximately $25,600 in
new government costs per new person, most of whom live in cities. The cities pay for police, fire,
streets, etc., not the county.

We have no new roads to speak of. Only about 1% of the
last 2 budget years was spent on new road construction. We need infrastructure not more government employees. We need more roads or expansion of present roads as a result of growth. Record taxes with no increase in infrastructure, what a waste. This government growth is the growth that doesn’t pay for itself and is killing our economy.

The school board is even worse. Their total budget increase from 2005 to 2006 is $432,466,003;
of course they do have 100 more children this year than last. The increase is $4,324,660 per child. I guess each one gets his or her own school.

The result of all this reckless spending will come home to roost next year as declining property
values result in a decreased tax base. We will be
left with an increasing tax bill and even higher millage rates. That will affect everyone, even
homesteaded property. The saddest part is we will still need the roads and parks, etc. that the
boom in tax revenue in 2004 and 2005 could have paid for. This will also shift even more tax burden onto non homesteaded properties not protected by the Save Our Homes Cap.

This year $275,000,000 in Brevard County was shifted to business, renters, potential new homeowners such
as our children and grandchildren and potential new retirees. This shift and the increasing taxes
more than any other factors has hurt the real estate market. Can you imagine your kids or grand kids paying $300 per month for real estate taxes on a $200,000 starter home? No wonder they can’t buy their own home.

The county has long wanted to slow growth saying it does not pay for itself. I would dispute that
since approximately 8% of our employment base or 15,000 workers were in the construction industry until the recent slowdown. The construction industry has been a very major cog in our economy for many years. Now that it is being taxed to a standstill, the entire county will suffer. The construction employers and workers not only pay taxes, but they spend their money in Brevard to support businesses that also contribute to tax revenues. Growth also fuels sales of furniture, appliances, restaurants, insurance agents, real estate professionals, car dealers, convenience stores, clothing stores, etc., etc.

It is the mismanagement of revenues by the County Commission that gives the appearance that growth does not pay for itself. You see all the new development but no new roads. This is frustrating for all of us. If you will review the County budget, you will see that there has been plenty of revenue generated by new construction, but almost no funding for the expansion of the infrastructure that is strained by the new growth. This is not the fault of developers; rather it is the fault of the County Commission who has recklessly misspent the added revenue.

Developers pay impact fees to offset the cost of the added infrastructure requirements (transportation fees, police and fire rescue fees, sewer and water connection fees, etc.) The new construction adds to the tax base and creates additional tax revenue. If that revenue were properly spent, we would welcome new growth because it would improve the communities for all residents, with added roads, improved parks and recreational facilities, etc.

My goal at this point is to shut down the County Commission’s irresponsible budget proposals. For this to happen, we will all need to show up and voice our concerns. As a taxpayer, I would appreciate your efforts to spread the word and solicit participation in the budget process. Otherwise, we will be facing an ever-worsening situation.

The FINAL budget hearing is Tuesday, Sept. 26, 5:30 at the Govt. Center in Viera, Bldg. C, 1st floor, Commission Chambers. We need to fill those Chambers and let the County Commission know that we demand fiscal responsibility!!