September 2026 | Issue 52

City Manager's Message

It is an exciting time for the City of Cocoa. As you just read, we recently reached a monumental milestone in our efforts to bring passenger rail service directly to the Space Coast. This achievement has been years in the making and is a powerful example of what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and a shared vision for our region. I want to personally thank Congressman Mike Haridopolos for his dedication to seeing this project through, as well as our dedicated City staff and elected officials, the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization, the Federal Railroad Administration, Brightline, Brevard County, and our congressional partners for the years of planning, coordination, advocacy, and commitment that helped bring us to this point. Reaching this point is something our entire community can be proud of, and I am incredibly excited about what this means for Cocoa and the future of our region.

That same spirit of excellence and dedication is reflected in the work of our City employees. I am proud to recognize Samantha Senger, APR, CPRC, APIO, Director of Communication and Economic Development, and Jaime Braudrick, MA, APIO, Public Information Officer, who recently received statewide honors from the Florida Public Relations Association. Jaime earned multiple awards for three City communications projects, while Samantha received FPRA’s Doris Fleischman Award for her dedication and contributions to the public relations profession. These recognitions are a testament to the talented employees we have serving our community and the work being done every day to keep residents informed, engaged, and connected. Read more about their statewide recognition.

As we celebrate these accomplishments, we are also looking ahead. September marks the final stretch of our Fiscal Year 2027 budget process. After months of planning, review and discussion, only two public budget hearings remain before the new fiscal year begins on October 1st. I encourage residents to remain engaged as we complete this important process and prepare for the year ahead. Details about the remaining meetings can be found in this newsletter.

September is also an important reminder that hurricane season is far from over. The season continues through November 30th, and staying educated and prepared remains essential. I encourage everyone to review your hurricane plans, check your emergency supplies and make sure you know where to find reliable information before severe weather threatens our area. Taking time to prepare now can make a significant difference when a storm approaches.

There is much to be proud of and much to look forward to in Cocoa. Thank you to our employees, partners and community members who continue to play a role in moving our City forward, and thank you for staying informed and engaged with your City government.

-Stockton Whitten, Cocoa City Manager

June 1st marked the beginning of hurricane season. Staying informed is the best way you can make sure you and your family are prepared before a storm’s approach. The City of Cocoa has all of the resources and information you need to be ready for a disaster. Some of the most frequently asked questions that we get before, during, and after a storm include:

When will evacuations be announced? Evacuations will be announced with enough time for you to prepare your home, pack your car, and drive to a place of safety well before tropical storm-force winds arrive. Brevard County Emergency Management will make the announcements for evacuations and available shelters and the City of Cocoa will share that information through their communication channels. However, you do not have to wait for evacuation orders to leave your home if you feel unsafe.

Does the City of Cocoa provide sandbags? The City of Cocoa has provided piles of sand in the past for residents to fill their own sandbags, but this is not a guarantee before each storm. Not all homes need sandbags. Research ahead of time if you live in a low-lying area that is prone to flooding. Sandbags may be used to protect your home by placing them across doorways to prevent water from entering the building. Most home improvement stores carry sandbags. You can purchase them and keep them in your hurricane supply kit and then fill them with sand or dirt available on your property. Home improvement stores often sell fill dirt as well. Remember DO NOT fill your bags with sand from the beach. If you plan ahead, this will save you time when a storm is approaching. Remember, lines were quite long to get sandbags during Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Irma. Location and availability of sandbags available prior to a storm will be updated as the information becomes available. Most local municipalities do not provide sandbags prior to a storm.  

Why is my hurricane debris not getting picked up? Please be patient after the storm has passed. Public service personnel are working hard to get our communities back up and running safely as quickly as possible. You can help by keeping the roads clear so service personnel can get to areas of concern quickly. Make sure to keep your debris piles separated. Debris pickup will go a lot faster if debris is separated into vegetative and other debris piles. Debris pick-up will begin as quickly as possible. Following a storm, Brevard County Waste will be sending debris trucks around to pick up debris. They are covering a large portion of the county which can delay pickup. Waste Management cannot pick up any debris that is not in a Waste Management container during the time frame that the county is collecting debris. If you have smaller piles of debris, you can place them in your waste receptacle to be picked up by Waste Management.  

For more frequently asked questions and hurricane preparedness information, make sure to visit our information page by clicking the button below.

Cocoa Mayor Blake to Serve as President-Elect for Florida League of Mayors

The Florida League of Mayors (FLM) announced that City of Cocoa Mayor Michael C. Blake has been elected President-Elect of the organization, which serves as the official nonpartisan organization representing mayors throughout Florida.

Mayor Blake will serve alongside newly elected FLM President Woody Brown, Mayor of the City of Largo, before succeeding him as President. Mayor Blake will serve a one-year term.

“It is an honor to be selected by my fellow mayors to serve as President-Elect of the Florida League of Mayors,” said Mayor Blake. “I look forward to working alongside municipal leaders from across Florida to advocate for our communities, share ideas and strengthen the collective voice of Florida’s cities. I am proud to represent the City of Cocoa in this statewide leadership role.”

Since 2005, the Florida League of Mayors has served as the official nonpartisan organization representing Florida’s mayors. As a membership-driven association, the Florida League of Mayors works to ensure active advocacy and provides a powerful platform for Florida’s mayors to speak out on issues important to their cities and residents.

The City of Cocoa invites the community to join in celebrating a very special member of the Cocoa Police Department family. K-9 Copper, the department’s beloved therapy dog and community ambassador, is officially retired following ten years of dedicated service to the Cocoa community.

A retirement and 10th birthday celebration honoring Copper will be held on September 17, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cocoa Riverfront Park. Community members are encouraged to attend and help recognize the impact Copper has made throughout Cocoa.