BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Florida voters will decide on six constitutional amendments, in the November election. In Brevard County, voters will also decide on county and municipal amendments and referendums.
We break them down below.
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[RESULTS 2024: Complete Coverage | How to vote in the Nov. 5 presidential election | Here’s what’s on the Nov. 5 election ballot in Brevard County]
Brevard County Charter Amendment, Article 2, Salary
BALLOT LANGUAGE:
Effective January 1, 2025, shall Article 2, Section 2.6 of the Brevard County Charter be amended to provide that the salary of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners be determined solely as 90 percent of that set forth in Chapter 145, Florida Statutes for county commissioners, as amended from time to time, which state statute provides a uniform method of compensation for county commissioners with similar duties across the state?
BREAKING IT DOWN:
In Florida, the compensation of county commissioners is based on a uniform method depending on the county’s population. This is not required for counties with a home rule charter, like Brevard County. Under Brevard County’s charter, the Board of County Commissioners may set their own salaries in every even-numbered year.
According to Morris Richardson, County Attorney, “Commissioner salary increases are limited to the average percentage increase in the salaries of County employees, or the percentage change in the consumer price index from the previous year, whichever is less.”
Morris told News 6, the Board of County Commissioners voted to place this amendment on the ballot on September 13, 2022. If the amendment is approved, it will go into effect on January 1, 2025. None of the commissioners who voted for the proposal will be on the board when it takes effect.
The current salary for Brevard County commissioners is $60,272.98. If the amendment is approved, the salary would increase to $102,509.10.
BOTTOM LINE:
Here’s what a “yes” vote means: The salary for Brevard County Commissioners would be set at 90% of the amount set by Florida law. Then, the Board of County Commissioners would not be required to vote on their own salaries every two years.
Here’s what a “no” vote means: Brevard County Commissioners would need to vote on their own salaries every two years.
Brevard County Resolution 2024-068: Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions for new businesses and expansions of existing businesses
BALLOT LANGUAGE:
Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida continue to be authorized to grant, pursuant to S. 3, Art. VII of the state constitution, property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses that are expected to create new, full-time jobs in the county?
BREAKING IT DOWN:
This tax exemption program offers partial tax relief to certain new and expanding businesses to incentivize job growth. Businesses that qualify for the exemption have to meet certain criteria for job creation, wages and capital investment. The exemption can last up to 10 years. The program has been in effect since 2005.
BOTTOM LINE:
Here’s what a “yes” vote means: The Board of County Commissioners can grant property tax exemptions to new businesses as well as other businesses looking to expand.
Here’s what a “no” vote means: The Board of County Commissioners cannot grant property tax exemptions to new businesses as well as other businesses looking to expand.
Brevard County Resolution 2024-069: Referendum to determine whether to pave certain unpaved roads through the levy on non-ad valorem special assessments
BALLOT LANGUAGE:
Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, be authorized to levy a non-ad valorem special assessment to pave certain county-maintained unpaved roads within Canaveral Groves at an estimated annual assessment amount of $1,500 per parcel over twenty (20) years beginning in 2025, such assessment to be levied only upon parcels abutting or otherwise receiving a special benefit from the road paving project?
BREAKING IT DOWN:
Should Brevard County Commissioners tax property owners to pave unpaved roads within Canaveral Groves? This special assessment tax would only be for people who live near the roads that would be improved.
News 6 emailed Commissioner Rita Pritchett to see how much this would cost homeowners. We have not yet heard back.
This measure will only appear on the ballot for certain voters in Precinct 102 who live in the area where the tax on the public improvement projects would take place.
Property owners who would be impacted by this are in the orange “Precinct 102.2” section of the map below.
The Brevard County Supervisor of Elections also has a tool on its website where you can put in your address to check your precinct.
BOTTOM LINE:
A YES vote means you as a voter in Precinct 102.2 agree to be taxed an assessment for road paving.
A NO vote means you as a voter in Precinct 102.2 agree to be taxed an assessment for road paving.