Stormwater is a Concern
The following update is from Commissioner Anna Butler:
Stormwater management is an ongoing issue for all Brevard County communities, especially those on the barrier island like Melbourne Beach. Because this is such an important quality of life and safety issue for our residents, I thought I would provide a summary of ongoing projects and priorities. Although not originally planned as such, I believe this email to be extremely timely after the recent deluge of rain we’ve experienced. As always, I welcome questions and constructive input.
Stormwater Management has been and will continue to be an important focus area for me and the rest of the Town Commission. The role of the Town Commission is to provide oversight and guidance to the Town Manager and approve the annual budget. The Town Manager is responsible for execution of the budget and management of ongoing maintenance and repair projects through the Public Works Department and various contractors.
The Melbourne Beach Stormwater Management program has two interdependent pillars (pollution prevention and infrastructure) that are aligned with county, state, and federal rules and regulations. Our town is divided into 18 Basins that are used to align and organize infrastructure projects. If you would like to see in which basin your home is located, go to the map at the following link:
Basin Map - Town of Melbourne Beach
Pollution Prevention – much of Melbourne Beach was developed prior to the adoption of watershed management regulations which requires an ongoing effort to manage runoff through programs like illicit discharge detection and reporting and the summer fertilizer and pesticide bans. Another ongoing effort is the Melbourne Beach swale program designed to slow down the rapid flow of stormwater runoff from residential streets by ponding the water between two sloping sides. You can find details about Melbourne Beach stormwater programs at the following link:
Stormwater - Town of Melbourne Beach
Infrastructure – the Melbourne Beach Public Works department conducts regular maintenance and minor repairs of the town’s infrastructure. The Public Works department has a total of five employees: Director (Tom Davis), Foreman, two Maintenance workers, & a Groundskeeper. The Town Manager uses engineering firms (e.g. B.S.E. Consultants, Inc.) under contract to conduct surveys and analysis of the town’s infrastructure and to develop large infrastructure projects such as the Basin 1 Drainage Improvement Project.
During the FY26 budget process, the Town Commission conducted extensive discussions about stormwater funding and priorities. Below are a few highlights from the FY25 & FY26 budgets:
· In FY25 we completed two stormwater repair projects (Third Ave & Riverside Dr.) for a total cost of $ 40,682. FY25 also included $61,422 for the Basin 1 Drainage Project.
· For FY26, a FEMA grant for approximately $586K has been approved (originating from damage resulting from Milton) but has not yet been received. The Town Commission elected to fully fund the Stormwater Fund with money from other departments and cash on hand rather than wait for the money from FEMA.
· The FY26 Stormwater Fund Budget includes a total of just over $2M in expenditures: $40K for repairs of existing infrastructure & $1,981,210 for the Basin 1 Drainage Project. Atlantic Development of Cocoa, Inc. has been selected to conduct the project construction, and we expect Phase 1 to begin in the fall of 2025. Due to the size and scope of the project, it may continue into FY27. Details of the Basin 1 Project can be found at the following link:
· Beginning 1 Oct 2025, the Stormwater Fund cash balance is approximately $1,860,000. At the end of FY26 (30 Sept 2026), the cash balance is expected to be approximately $423K.
· The FY26 Stormwater Assessment Utility Fund includes approximately $86K (as a capital outlay) for the Sixth Avenue and Riverview Lane seawall repair projects. The Fund also includes money for storm drain maintenance, swale construction, and a Drainage Site Plan Review.
· The next stormwater project is expected to be the Cherry Drive (Basin 10) area. Research and analysis will be conducted in FY26.
My priorities are:
· Continue to seek sources of funding such as grants from State and Federal agencies
· Support the Public Works team and provide the resources they need to maintain the town’s existing infrastructure
· I will propose a Stormwater citizens advisory committee to tap into the experience in, and knowledge of, stormwater management among our citizens. The advisory committee would be a resource for the Town Manager and the Commission to use in development of priorities and projects to improve the town’s infrastructure.
The Interim Town Manager has been pro-active in scheduling a “Vulnerability Workshop” that will give the residents, staff, and Commission the opportunity to discuss, learn, assess, and plan effectively and efficiently for Storm Water today and in the future.
Vulnerability Assessment Workshop
You're invited to the Town of Melbourne Beach's Vulnerability Assessment Workshop on Wednesday, November 5th, at 6:00 PM at the Melbourne Beach Community Center. The Assessment is to identify areas prone to flooding, plan for the future, and prevent flooding from climate change, sea level rise, and intense rainfall. (taken directly from the Town of Melbourne Beach website)
I would like to conclude by making sure that I recognize Chief Brown and his volunteers, as well as Tom Davis and his Public Works department for their swift, wise, professional, and comprehensive attention to the temporary flooding late on the night of Sunday, October 26th. Thank you as well to Lisa Frazier, our Interim Town Manager, for her outstanding communication to the Commission and the Town.
Thank you, as always, for making Melbourne Beach such a special place in which to live.
Anna