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We remain hard at work preparing the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which includes reviewing department needs and identifying funding priorities for the year ahead. As always, your input is an important part of this process. A list of upcoming public budget meetings is included in this newsletter—we encourage you to attend and stay involved as we work together to shape Cocoa’s future.
I would like to congratulate the City of Cocoa Leisure Services team and all of our dedicated volunteers for their efforts in this year’s annual Keep Brevard Beautiful Trash Bash event. The City of Cocoa took home first place, and we are grateful to the community for coming together to support this cause.
I would also like to congratulate our citizens who recently graduated from the City of Cocoa’s Citizen Academy. Thank you for your commitment to learning more about your local government. I encourage residents and business owners within the City of Cocoa to apply for the next academy. Applications will be available this summer.
The City continues to address technical issues that have affected certain information technology systems. While these challenges have required adjustments to some normal operations, I want to emphasize how proud I am of our City staff, who have worked tirelessly to ensure essential services continue uninterrupted. Backup processes were implemented quickly, and our teams worked closely with technical partners to assess and resolve the situation. We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding during this process.
Lastly, I hope you will join us for our Annual Memorial Day Tribute at Cocoa Riverfront Park. This is an opportunity to reflect and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. More information about this event can be found in this newsletter. Thank you for staying connected and engaged. Together, we continue to make Cocoa a strong, resilient, and thriving community.
| | -Stockton Whitten, Cocoa City Manager | | |
The City of Cocoa is preparing a proposed fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget to present to the Cocoa City Council for approval. The current fiscal year (FY26) ends on September 30, 2026. Below is a tentative schedule for the budget workshops and hearings, which are open to the public to attend.
May 19, 2026, 6:00 pm; Council Priorities Special Meeting
July 7, 2026, 5:00 pm; Public Budget Workshop
July 28, 2026, 6:00 pm; Tentative Millage
August 11, 2026, 6:00 pm; Preliminary Fire and Stormwater Assessment
August 25, 2026, 6:00 pm; Final Fire and Stormwater Assessment
September Date TBD; Tentative Millage and Budget Hearing and CIP Ordinance
September Date TBD; Final Millage and Budget Hearing and CIP Ordinance
All meetings are held in Council Chambers at Cocoa City Hall (65 Stone St., Cocoa). Visit CocoaFL.gov/budget for more information.
| | | The City of Cocoa will host its 21st Annual Memorial Day Tribute on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Cocoa Riverfront Park, 401 River Edge Boulevard. The event will begin with a parade through Cocoa Village from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., followed by a static display until 6:30 p.m. A formal stage presentation will take place at 5:00 p.m. to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Residents and visitors are invited to join the community in remembering and honoring our nation’s heroes. For more information, contact Leisure Services at (321) 635-7702. | | Florida League of Cities Names Mayor Blake a Home Rule Hero | |
The Florida League of Cities (FLC), the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, has awarded Mayor Michael C. Blake with a 2026 Home Rule Hero Award for his hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2026 Legislative Session. Mayor Blake worked tirelessly throughout session to promote local voices making local choices by sharing insights, local data, and real-world examples that helped inform state lawmakers and elevate the voice of Florida’s cities. “Local voices matter, and during the 2026 Legislative Session, these leaders made sure those voices were heard,” said FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “By engaging early, often, and thoughtfully, they helped elevate the municipal perspective and reinforce the importance of local decision-making. We sincerely appreciate their dedication and are proud to recognize their advocacy on behalf of Florida’s cities.”
| | | Congratulations Citizens Academy Graduates | |
At the April 14 City Council meeting, Class VII of the Citizens Academy was proudly recognized for completing an engaging 10-session program that offers an in-depth look at local government and the many services the City of Cocoa provides to its community.
Participants went behind the scenes for tours of the Water Treatment Plant, Police Department, and Fire Station, gaining firsthand insight into the dedicated work that keeps Cocoa running—from City finances and community services to emergency operations and beyond.
Graduates shared their excitement and appreciation following the program, noting how eye-opening the experience was and expressing a deep sense of pride in the exceptional services the City of Cocoa delivers every day. Applications for the next Citizens Academy cohort will open in Summer 2026. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to experience Cocoa like never before!
| | The City of Cocoa has once again secured the top spot in the 2026 Keep Brevard Beautiful (KBB) Trash Bash, demonstrating its continued commitment to environmental stewardship and community pride. With the help of 355 dedicated volunteers, Team Cocoa collected an impressive 20,563 pounds of trash, su | | | | |
