FY2027 Tentative Millage Rate and Budget
Summary
The tentative budget holds the tax rate at 6.9532 mills — flat versus last year but 1.29% above rollback. Two councilmembers want the rollback rate for taxpayer relief, which would require cutting $173,000; the fight over what gets cut continues to the September 23 final hearing.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 9
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 23, 2026.
Impact analysis
Keeping the current rate is a 1.29% tax increase over rollback; going to rollback means finding $173,000 in cuts.
City employees and service levels are protected under the current rate; taxpayers would benefit under rollback.
Property owners pay slightly more under the adopted rate; going to rollback could force cuts to programs or capital purchases.
Mentions & discussions (6)
General - Sep 23, 2026
Cocoa's new property tax rate came in at 6.909 mills — a compromise after the proposed 6.9532 failed on a 3-2 vote. It's about $10-11 a year for the average homeowner versus the proposal, but the city loses $86,477 in revenue, which it cut from street paving. Big budget items include 7% staff raises (8% for police rank-and-file), $500,000 in paving, and growing reliance on utility fund transfers to the general fund.
General - Sep 9, 2026
The tentative budget holds the tax rate at 6.9532 mills — flat versus last year but 1.29% above rollback. Two councilmembers want the rollback rate for taxpayer relief, which would require cutting $173,000; the fight over what gets cut continues to the September 23 final hearing.
City Council - Jul 28, 2026
The council split 3-2 on whether to keep the tax rate at 6.9532 mills or drop to the rollback rate of 6.8648 mills, a difference of about $173,000. Koss and Weeks argued residents need relief; Blake, Goins and Hearn said the county and school board hikes wipe out any savings and cuts would hit police cars, paving and employee raises. The final decision comes at the September 9 hearing.
General - Jul 7, 2026
A new state law will change next year's budget process dramatically: the city must publish its workshop calendar in January and, at the tentative hearing, present a full 10% reduction scenario of the entire city budget for council to consider adopting. With utilities dominating the budget, staff warn the exercise would hit hard.
City Council - Jun 9, 2026
A resident asked what happens to city services if the state eliminates property tax; the city manager noted Cocoa's police budget alone ($14M) exceeds total property tax collections ($12M).
General - Apr 29, 2026
State proposals to cut or eliminate homestead property taxes could cost the city up to $2.8 million in recurring revenue. Property taxes bring in $13 million but don't even cover the police department's $14 million budget.
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