Welcome to Brevard County's New Web Portal

Visit each of the above tabs labeled Residents, Business, and Visitors to view categories with links to services of interest to those groups. The e-Government tab will provide links to on-line services and the Contact tab will give you a more traditional list of departments and offices. Additionally, use the Search feature at the top right of the page and the ‘How do I find…’ link to help locate specific information.

4th Annual Space Coast Waterfest to make a splash in May

Brevard County’s 4th Annual Space Coast Waterfest provides county residents opportunities to get wet and wild during the month of May. A variety of water-themed events will take place throughout the Space Coast, highlighting the diversity of water-based activities available to Brevard residents and visitors.

Activities include fishing, sailing, kayaking and general boating events along with vessel safety inspections and presentations. Events are intended to publicize and expand knowledge of the ecological, recreational and economic opportunities associated with Brevard County’s unique waterways.

Waterfest events this year are scheduled for Goode Park in Palm Bay on May 5, 2012, Sebastian Inlet Marina on May 12, 2012, and at Merritt Island’s Kiwanis Island Park on May 19, 2012. The Kiwanis Island event also kicks-off National Safe Boating Week, which takes place May 19-25, 2012.

The Space Coast Waterfest is sponsored by the Brevard County Marine Advisory Council as well as the Brevard County Boating and Waterways Program.

A detailed schedule of events and information is available on the Natural Resources Management Office website or for more information, contact Matt Culver at (321) 633-2016.

http://www.keepitlocalflorida.org

Keep It Local Florida

Keep it Local Florida, a coalition of the Florida Association of Counties, Florida League of Cities, and Florida School Boards Association, has produced a video regarding “home rule.” The video describes the concept of unfunded mandates and how costs are shifted from federal and state to local governments. The video received unanimous support Tuesday from Brevard County’s Board of Commissioner.

Brevard’s EEL Program Receives National Stewardship Award

Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) has received a national award for its excellence in managing natural resources. The Natural Areas Association (NAA) has awarded the Carl N. Becker Stewardship Award, one of the highest honors it bestows, to Brevard’s EEL Program in recognition of excellence and achievement in managing the natural resources of reserves, parks, wilderness, and other protected areas. According to the NAA, the Brevard EEL Program is recognized as one of the true leaders of the conservation and restoration of natural areas at a regional level, as well as an organization that made significant contributions that will effect conservation on a global scale. The EEL Program was established in 1990 to protect the natural habitats of Brevard County by acquiring environmentally sensitive lands for conservation, passive recreation, and environmental education.

Brevard County’s Farmer’s Market is an award winner

Brevard County’s Farmer's Market has been voted the best farmers market in the region by readers of Edible Orlando. The “Best of Edible Orlando” awards are based on votes tallied from an online readers survey and by editors’ choices. The Brevard County Farmers Market was established to provide a direct-marketing outlet for local growers and producers, and to provide a place for consumers to take advantage of locally grown and produced agricultural products. Florida vendors produce or grow at least 50% of the products sold. The year-round market, operated through a joint partnership with Brevard County Parks & Recreation and the University of Florida/IFAS Brevard County Extension Service, runs from 3-7 p.m. Thursdays at 3845 Wickham Road in Melbourne at the Wickham Park Pavillion, adjacent to Brevard Community College.

Sunny Award for Website Transparency (Again)

Brevard County was one of 214 winners of the Sunshine Review’s 3rd annual “Sunny Awards. The 2012 awards, which more than double last year's number, recognize the best state and local government websites in America that exceeded transparency standards.

"The Sunny Awards recognizes governments that are doing an exemplary job at proactively disclosing information to taxpayers,” said Michael Barnhart, President of Sunshine Review.“We would like to congratulate Brevard County for being a champion for transparency and serving as a leader to every state and local government around the nation.”

UF Extension Service Classes

The University of Florida Brevard County Extension Service offers low-cost, short-term classes in the following areas: financial management, child safety, shooting sports, budgeting basics, agriculture, archery, horticulture, 4-H, food preservation, public speaking and more. Register online at http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu.

About Brevard

Just 35 miles east of Orlando, Brevard County prides itself as the home of Kennedy Space Center, the birthplace of U.S. manned spaceflight; Port Canaveral, the second-busiest cruise port in the world; 72 miles of beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches; and the largest collection of endangered wildlife and plants in the continental United States. With its tropical weather, cultural activities, educational opportunities, active and passive recreation options, high-technology industries, and family-friendly atmosphere, the Space Coast offers an exceptional quality of life that residents and visitors enjoy year-round. More than 500,000 people call its 16 municipalities and unincorporated areas "home."