County referendumOn the Ballot
Voters decide Nov. 3 whether to renew the Save Our Indian River Lagoon half-cent sales tax
Nov 3, 2026 · Brevard County ballot (Ordinance No. 2026-06) · Ordinance No. 2026-06
The County Commission adopted an ordinance on May 19 to renew the half-cent lagoon sales surtax through Dec. 31, 2036, subject to voter approval. The current tax, first approved in 2016, expires Dec. 31, 2026. WESH reports it brings in nearly $59 million a year, dedicated to a lagoon restoration trust fund. Two school tax renewals and several city charter questions are also on Brevard ballots.
Status: On the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. A yes vote renews the tax; a no vote lets it expire at the end of 2026.
Why it matters: It decides whether Brevard's main source of local lagoon cleanup money continues for another 10 years.
Sources: Brevard Supervisor of ElectionsWESH
Last updated Oct 24, 2026
State lawNew Law
New Florida laws in effect Oct. 1: crash-report threshold, rental fraud, pretrial no-contact violations
Oct 1, 2026 · Florida Legislature · SB 488, HB 1293, HB 397
SB 488 raises the property-damage amount that requires drivers to report a crash to police from $500 to $2,000. HB 1293 creates the crime of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling, aimed at people who take over rental homes using false identities or forged documents. HB 397 makes it a separate crime for someone on pretrial release for certain violent offenses to willfully violate a no-contact order.
Status: In effect since Oct. 1, 2026.
Why it matters: The changes affect Brevard drivers, landlords and property managers, and victims of violent crime.
Sources: WESH
Last updated Oct 24, 2026
County ordinanceNew Law
Brevard makes data centers ineligible for county economic-development tax breaks
Aug 4, 2026 · Brevard County Board of County Commissioners · Ordinance No. 2026-11
The County Commission adopted an ordinance that defines "data center" and makes such facilities ineligible for Brevard's economic-development ad valorem tax exemption program. The county's agenda report cited data centers' relatively few permanent jobs and their heavy demands for electricity, water and land. Under state law, data centers could otherwise get exemptions of up to 20 years.
Status: Adopted Aug. 4, 2026.
Why it matters: Data center developers considering Brevard would pay full property taxes, which could affect where they choose to build.
Sources: Brevard County agenda item (Legistar)
Last updated Oct 24, 2026
State lawNew Law
July 1 Florida laws: restaurant fee disclosure, data-center utility rules, limits on local equipment bans
Jul 1, 2026 · Florida Legislature · SB 606, SB 484, SB 290
Under SB 606, restaurants that add mandatory charges such as automatic service fees, delivery fees or card surcharges must disclose them on menus and online ordering platforms and itemize them on receipts. SB 484 sets new utility rules for large-load customers such as data centers and orders a state review of their impact. SB 290 bars counties from banning or restricting certain gas-powered landscape equipment, such as leaf blowers, in covered circumstances.
Status: In effect since July 1, 2026.
Why it matters: Brevard restaurants, diners and local governments all have new rules to follow.
Sources: WFLX
Last updated Oct 24, 2026
