Since taking office in 2021, Mayor Copelof and Brevard’s current City Council have made the creation of “affordable housing” their top priority.  Affordable housing is something we can all agree on, but not at the expense of the already overburdened taxpayers of Brevard.  Instead of encouraging private sector development, Mayor Copelof and the current City Council are throwing your hard-earned tax dollars at it like “drunken sailors,” sorry for insulting drunken sailors.

 

Here are some examples, you’re probably not aware of, of how they’re wasting your tax dollars:

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• Since 2021, they’ve spent in excess $600,000 pursuing “affordable housing” options.  What do they have to show for it? Nothing!

• They plan to spend approximately $1,000,000 to purchase 3.8 acres of land on Azalea Avenue and potentially another $4,500,000 for required infrastructure improvements. All this, and they don’t even have a feasibility study.

• They loaned $1,200,000 to a private developer (Commonwealth Companies) for the Fairhaven Meadows Project.  Taxpayers are not only providing a loan, for which they will be on the hook if the project fails, but are also subsidizing the interest rate at a below-market rate.  It’s good to be a private contractor working with the current Mayor and City Council, not so much if you are a taxpayer.

 

The Mayor and City Council are taking advantage of the taxpayers of Brevard.  We believe that the issue of “affordable housing” funding should be left to private developers, nonprofits, and individual donors, rather than taxpayers.  Local government can help facilitate the development of “affordable housing” that is more attractive to private developers through zoning, permitting, and regulatory changes. Here’s why we believe Brevard should not be in the business of subsidizing “affordable housing” efforts:

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• Reduces resources available to meet the core needs of Brevard’s citizens.

• Brevard’s taxpayers, many of whom are already stretched financially, should not bear the cost of subsidizing private businesses. Developers profit from these projects while taxpayers see no direct return on their investment. This point was reaffirmed by Brevard’s City Manager at a recent public meeting when he reminded the audience that private developers always act “rationally,” therefore, government subsidies are required.  Does that mean the taxpayers should act irrationally?

• Brevard’s taxpayers should not be forced to pay for something that benefits only a few who can take advantage of it. 

• Brevard has neither the resources nor the expertise to enter the housing development business.​

 

Help us Restore Brevard by saying no to the tax-and-spend leadership of Mayor Copelof and the current City Council.  Elect new leadership that will protect the taxpayers!