Brevard approves TDC marketing plan, transfers capital funds to cover lifeguards

The Board approved the Tourist Development Council's FY 2026–27 marketing plan with a total budget of $15,027,500 and a proposal to fund lifeguards and event grants.

TDC staff reported $3,069,546 of the total would cover lifeguards and grant funds, leaving roughly $11.96 million for marketing. A hotel-industry representative urged immediate approval to support area employment. Commissioners debated using $889,949 from an unallocated capital fund transfer to marketing so the county could pay the final share of lifeguard costs and thereby relieve pressure on the general fund. One commissioner disclosed an abstention on the Astronaut Memorial Foundation grant portion because of a personal connection; the remainder of the grants passed.

After discussion the Board approved a motion to fund lifeguards at the full proposed level, transfer $889,949 from capital to marketing to make up the remainder, include quarterly reporting on expenditures, and treated the Astronaut Memorial Foundation portion separately due to the Chair’s abstention. Staff said approximately $1.8 million would remain in capital after the transfer.