Are You Ready To Pay A Higher Gas Tax In Brevard?

🚗 Brevard County Considering Gas Tax Increase

Brevard County Commissioners are weighing whether to add up to 6 cents per gallon to local fuel taxes. Here’s what’s on the table and what it could mean for drivers:

What’s Being Proposed

• Second Local Option Gas Tax: Up to 5¢ per gallon.

• Ninth-Cent Fuel Tax: An additional 1¢ per gallon.

• If both are approved at the maximum, Brevard’s local fuel tax would rise from 6¢ to 12¢ per gallon.

Why the County Says It’s Needed

Officials say the new revenue would be dedicated to transportation projects and public works. Without it, they warn of possible cuts to road maintenance and other transportation services. Depending on the exact cents-per-gallon adopted, the county estimates the tax could generate $6.4 to $9.1 million per year.

What It Means for Drivers

The actual impact depends on how much you drive:

• Light commuter (10,000 miles/year, 30 MPG): about +$20 per year if the full 6¢ is adopted.

• Average driver (12,000 miles/year, 25 MPG): about +$29 per year.

• Heavy driver (15,000 miles/year, 20 MPG): about +$45 per year.

Because the tax is per gallon, those with long commutes or less fuel-efficient cars would feel the increase the most.

Who Pays?

• Visitors and pass-through traffic also pay at the pump, so the cost isn’t borne only by residents.

• Lower-income households may be more affected, since transportation is already a large share of their budget.

• Electric vehicle drivers would not be taxed under this proposal.

Next Steps

The commission has approved the advertising of ordinances, which is a legal step before a final vote. Public hearings will be scheduled before any decision is made.

Key Questions to Watch

• How many cents per gallon will ultimately be adopted?

• Which projects will be funded first?

• Will there be transparency tools—like a public dashboard—so residents can track how funds are spent?

• Will the ordinance include a sunset clause requiring re-authorization after a set time?

Brevard County is at the center of Florida’s locally acquired dengue fever cases, with 27 cases reported as of last week.

This is a first for Brevard, as usually only travel cases are reported.

Last year, there were only eight travel-associated cases compared to the 27 local transmission cases reported recently. A mosquito-borne illness alert was issued in Brevard at the end of July, with Miami-Dade also currently under a similar alert.

Pasco and Hillsborough each reported one case and are under advisories.

The state Department of Health reported that Florida is on par with last year in terms of locally transmitted cases of dengue fever. The wet season in Brevard County started slowly until June when the first local dengue case was reported.

Dengue fever, also known as "bone-break fever," is transmitted via mosquito bite and can cause fever, vomiting, and body aches.

The virus spreads in Florida when a person is bitten by an Aedes aegypti mosquito carrying dengue after traveling to or from an endemic country. Aedes aegypti typically thrives in tropical climates, and its presence in Brevard is a sign of the changing climate trends in Florida.

Faella and his team have been actively working to control the spread of dengue fever by applying treatments, setting traps, and inspecting neighborhoods for potential breeding grounds. Residents are advised to dump any water containers outside and contact Brevard County Mosquito Control if they are experiencing mosquito problems.

Faella also stresses the importance of community involvement in preventing the spread of dengue fever.

The Space Coast State Fair is a highly anticipated event that is sure to put attendees in an optimistic mood.

The fair, known for its average creativity, will be held in Viera from October 30 to November 16.

Those who purchase advanced tickets can save up to $10, before October 30, making it an affordable option for families looking for a fun outing. Grab Advance Tickets Here!

The fair, located at Space Coast Daily Park, offers a variety of entertainment options, including midway rides, fair foods, music, shows, and games.

Additionally, admission includes access to free shows such as Squawk the Amazing Bird Show and the Michael Jackson Thriller Tribute Show.

There are also thrilling performances like the Monster Truck Madness Shows and Lucha Libre Pro Wrestling Shows.

With 18 days of unlimited state fair rides, the Space Coast State Fair is a must-see tradition on Florida's Space Coast.

Attendees can enjoy a range of activities, from petting zoos to karaoke stages, making it a fun-filled event for the whole family.

Space Coast Local Weekend Events

Space Coast Brew Fest

Event Name: Space Coast Brew Fest

City: North Brevard

Date: October 25, 2025; Time: 1:00 PM; Location: North Brevard, FL; Admission: Ticketed

Over 30 breweries, food, music—supporting local charities. Event link via Visit Space Coast

Florida Master Naturalist Program: Habitat Evaluation Course Open for Enrollment

"Life is an echo. What you send out comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others exists in you. Remember, life is an echo. It always gets back to you."

Upcoming Launches on the Space Coast

September 18, 2025 – Starlink Group 10-61

• Launch Vehicle & Pad: Falcon 9 Block 5 from SLC-40

• Mission Details: Batch of 28 Starlink internet satellites for SpaceX’s mega-constellation. Visit Space Coast

• Viewing Tip: Very early morning (~5:30 AM EDT)—head to Jetty Park or Titusville Riverfront Park before sunrise. Great for photos with long exposures and rising mist.

September 21, 2025 – Starlink Group 10-27

• Launch Vehicle & Pad: Falcon 9 Block 5 from SLC-40

• Mission Details: Another 28-satellite deployment for Starlink. Visit Space Coast

• Viewing Tip: Similar early-morning set-up; plan to arrive around 5 AM for the 5:20 AM EDT liftoff.

September 23, 2025 – IMAP & Companions

• Launch Vehicle & Pad: Falcon 9 Block 5 from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center

• Mission Details: Trio of spacecraft headed to L1 orbit:

  • NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP)

  • NOAA’s Space Weather Follow-On (SWFO-L1)

  • NASA’s Carruthers Geocorona Observatory SpaceSpaceflight Now

• Viewing Tip: Launch at ~7:32 AM EDT. Capture the sunrise backdrop; Titusville Riverfront and Jetty Park offer unobstructed eastern views.

Late September (~September 25, 2025) – Project Kuiper KA-03

• Launch Vehicle & Pad: ULA Atlas V 551 from SLC-41

• Mission Details: Deployment of 27 Amazon Kuiper broadband internet satellites into low-Earth orbit (LEO), boosting Project Kuiper's constellation. Spaceflight NowWikipedia

• Viewing Tip: Exact time TBD—keep an eye on updates. Good vantage points include Cocoa Beach Pier or Clearlake Park.

Viewing Location Recommendations (from Cocoa)

• For evening launches (e.g., Nusantara Lima, Cygnus, Kuiper): Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral Beach Park offer open horizons and dramatic sunsets.

• For nighttime spectacles (e.g., NG-23): Lori Wilson Park or Sand Point Park—less urban light pollution.

• For early-morning booms (Starlink batches, IMAP): Riverfront Park in Titusville or Jetty Park at Port Canaveral—great pre-dawn ambience.

• Helpful Tools: The “Space Coast Launches” app gives live countdowns, compass-based views, and real-time launch updates. Visit Space Coast

• Photography Tips: Evening = “jellyfish” clouds, long-exposure-ready launch trails. Morning = sunlit plumes and silhouettes—arrive early for golden light.

Interesting Space Facts

Larry Fleckinger discusses Down Payment Assistance Programs in Brevard County, which provides financial aid to individuals looking to purchase their first home.

The program helps qualified applicants by offering down payment assistance and low-interest loans to make home buying more accessible.

Fleckinger shares important details about eligibility criteria, income requirements, and the application process for these programs.

He emphasizes the benefits of taking advantage of such opportunities to achieve homeownership, highlighting the long-term financial advantages and stability it can bring.

Fleckinger encourages individuals in Brevard County to explore these programs as a stepping stone towards realizing their dream of owning a home. 

Brevard County currently has 22 DPA (Down Payment Assistance) programs and up to $72,000 in down payment help.

Click Below and do a General Search for Brevard County to see if you qualify!

Housing Market Update!

Here’s a summary of what I found as of mid-September 2025 for Brevard County (Florida) housing market + local interest / mortgage-rate trends. 

Housing Market in Brevard County

Key trends:

• Home values are declining slightly overall. Zillow’s Home Value Index shows the average home value in Brevard County is about $342,804, down about 4.3% year-over-year. (Zillow)

• Prices are stabilizing / flattening. Already several sources indicate that the rapid appreciation seen in earlier years is cooling off; in some areas there is a modest annual decline or stagnant growth. (Redfin)

• Inventory is increasing. More homes are on the market compared to previous years, giving buyers more options. For example, MyBrokerOne reports inventory up ~53% year over year in September 2025. (MyBrokerOne)

• Homes are taking longer to sell. The median / average days on market is up compared to last year. E.g. Redfin’s data shows home days on market ~71 days in July, up from ~65 last year. (Redfin) MyBrokerOne reports average days on market (DOM) falling in some sub-segments, but often still longer than in overheated market periods. (MyBrokerOne)

• Fewer sales than previous years in many segments. There are declines in number of homes sold compared to a year ago in certain categories. (Redfin)

• Some submarkets are doing worse. For instance, in Palm Bay, values have dropped by about 4% year-over-year, per Reventure App. (Reventure News)

What this means for buyers/sellers:

• Buyers have more negotiating leverage than in peak markets.

• Sellers likely need to price more competitively, be prepared for longer marketing times, and possibly adjust expectations from the “red-hot” gains of recent years.

• The “sweet spot” for buyers may be coming, especially in fall 2025 when competition is lower. (Lisa Ramsey Realty)

Interest Rates / Mortgage Rates & Fed / Economic Conditions

Current mortgage rates:

• The 30-year fixed mortgage rate in the U.S. has eased a bit, now around 5.5% depending on the credit score. (Cap Center)

• The 15-year fixed rate is lower (around 5.25%) depending on loan type. (Cap Center)

Fed / Policy expectations:

• As of mid-September 2025, markets are expecting a 25 basis point cut in the Federal funds rate at the Fed’s meeting (Sept 16-17) following signs of weakening in the labor market and easing inflation pressures. (Reuters)

• The drop in mortgage rates (30-yr fixed) to their lowest in nearly a year is being driven by lower Treasury yields, weaker employment data, and anticipation of Fed rate cuts. (AP News)

Florida / Brevard-relevant rate info:

• Current Local Interest Rates:

  It’s Fed Week, and Wednesday’s meeting is expected to bring a 0.25% rate cut, with only a slim chance of a 0.50% move.

  Markets have already priced in a cut, so the bigger focus will be on the Fed’s Dot Plot (their outlook for future rates) and Chair Powell’s press conference.

  Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is forecasting slower growth at 1.4% in 2025 and unemployment rising to 4.5%—factors that could keep pressure on the Fed to continue cutting later this year.

  Current Mortgage Rate Ranges:

  • Conventional: 5.875% to 6.625%

  • Jumbo: 6.00% to 6.75%

  • FHA: 5.375% to 6.375%

  • VA: 5.375% to 6.375%

  • Down Payment Assistance: 6.00% to 7.99%

  • CURTESY OF: Jennifer Kline
    Branch Manager | Mortgage Loan Originator
    (321) 754-1212
    
    ​(321) 684-1975

• Buyers are finding more favorable conditions than a year ago: more inventory, more negotiation power, more time to make decisions.

• Sellers may need to adjust expectations (price, time on market, concessions).

• Interest rate levels are still relatively high compared to the last few years (especially the low-rate post-pandemic environment), so affordability remains a constraint for many buyers.

Sams House at Pine Island Conservation Area is a historic site with a rich history, offering educational resources and activities for visitors.

The conservation area is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The oldest standing home in Brevard County, the 1875 Sams family cabin, provides a glimpse into the area's past.

Interactive exhibits along the paved trail showcase artifacts and discoveries that tell the story of Pine Island's inhabitants. Visitors can explore the mangrove swamp and live oak hammock, hike the Garnet Trail, or observe wildlife such as wading birds, bald eagles, alligators, and bobcats.

The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program and the St.

Johns River Water Management District jointly manage the approximately 900-acre conservation area. Educational programs at Sams House aim to create informed citizens who value and support the preservation of natural lands and cultural resources.

Study trips can be scheduled for classes, and private groups can access education resources and programs by contacting Alexandra Schilling.

Volunteer opportunities are also available, with various roles such as greeter, study trip guide, and sanctuary preservationist. Visitors are reminded to follow guidelines while in the conservation area, such as refraining from hunting, feeding wildlife, or removing plants and animals.

Volunteer requirements include a willingness to learn, a love of history and nature, and a desire to give back to the community.

For more information on volunteering or visiting Sams House, contact Alexandra Schilling.

The Hometown Heroes Program is designed to assist income-eligible first-time homebuyers in Florida who work in qualifying occupations such as healthcare, public safety, education, and military/veterans.

It offers down payment assistance equal to 5% of the new mortgage loan amount, with an assistance cap ranging from $10,000 to $35,000 depending on the loan amount. The program requires applicants to meet certain guidelines and qualifications, including attending an approved homebuyer education course.

The second mortgage provided by the program must be paid in full when the home is sold, transferred, or refinanced. Funding for the program can vary throughout the year and may run out at times until replenished by the state.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and can contact the program administrators for the latest funding status. The Hometown Heroes Program is exclusive to Florida residents, but other states offer similar down payment assistance programs.

The program is not for investment properties or second homes, and applicants must have a minimum credit score of 640. The application process is simple and does not require any upfront costs.

Buyers can contact authorized participating mortgage lenders or banks to apply for the program.

Act quickly if you have recently purchased a home and want to apply for the Hometown Heroes Program.

New Construction Homes in Brevard County, FL — Market Trends & Buyer Incentives

Brevard County, along Florida’s Space Coast, remains a sought-after area for new housing. With its proximity to the Atlantic, beaches, NASA/space industries, growing job sectors, and appealing quality of life, demand stays strong. But the market is shifting — especially in new construction. Builders are adjusting their strategies to adapt to higher costs and cooling buyer sentiment. That means opportunities for buyers.

Glossary: What Buyers See Changing

• Price Adjustments / Reductions: Builders are lowering list prices or offering “price cuts” on certain inventory or spec homes.

• Interest Rate Incentives (Rate Buy-Downs, Locked Rates, etc.): To offset rising mortgage rates, some builders (or their lenders) are offering promotional financing, rate buy-downs or locking in lower rates for a period.

• Other Incentives / Perks: These include closing cost assistance, upgrades (appliances, floors, patios, etc.), lot premium waivers, flex cash, or builder credits.

What the Data Shows in Brevard

Here are some concrete numbers and examples from Brevard County:

• Median and Starting Prices
  New homes listed in Brevard have a median listing price around $330,000. (Realtor)
  Homes in certain new-construction developments start much lower — in the low $200,000’s. 

• Price Reductions in Listings
  On Zillow, many new construction homes in Brevard are marked with price cuts. Examples:
  • A 4 bed 3 bath in Palm Bay was reduced by around $6,000. (Zillow)
  • Another home in Palm Bay dropped by ~$24,900. (Zillow)

• Incentives & Interest-Rate Relief
  • Some listings offer a “locked in reduced rate” or seller-paid rate relief mechanisms. For instance: “$15,000 buyer’s incentive OR this house comes with a locked in reduced rate as low as 4.99% APR.” 

• Affordable New Homes Are Still Present
  There are numerous new homes in Brevard under $400,000. (Jome) Some starting points are as low as ~$233,780 and rising depending on size, location, and upgrades. (New Home Source)

• Purchase Assistance Programs
  For eligible buyers, local government runs programs:
  • Brevard County’s Purchase Assistance Program helps very low, low & median-income families, and it can be applied toward new homes among other units. (Learn More)
  • There are income limits, good‐faith contribution minimums, and requirements such as being first time homebuyers. (Learn More)

Why Builders Are Offering More Incentives Now

Some of the forces behind what we’re seeing:

1. Mortgage Rates & Affordability Pressure
   As interest rates have gone up, monthly payments increase. To make homes move, builders are more likely to offer rate buydowns or locked incentives to reduce the financial burden for buyers.

2. Inventory / Competition Among Builders
   With many new communities in development, builders compete not just against each other, but also with resale homes. To stand out, they sweeten the deal.

3. Cost Pressures & Buyer Hesitancy
   Construction costs, materials, labor, permitting etc. continue rising. But buyer demand is a bit more cautious than earlier in the pandemic/boom period. That tension is pushing builders to both manage their margins and appeal more aggressively to buyers.

4. Regulatory / Local Policy Support
   Programs like the county purchase assistance help enable buyers to participate. These partnerships can help builders sell more quickly.

What Buyers Should Watch Out For

If you are considering buying a new construction home in Brevard:

• Read the fine print on incentives
  Some rate-buydowns are temporary, or only for a short period. “Locked in rate” sometimes means for an initial period and then adjusts. Confirm duration and conditions.

• Check which homes are inventory vs pre-construction
  Move-in ready homes sometimes receive price cuts; pre-construction deals may promise incentives, but delivery might be many months away. Things can change.

• Look at total cost, not just price tag
  Consider lot premiums, homeowners association (HOA) fees, insurance (especially for coastal areas or flood zones), property taxes, maintenance costs.

• Use local purchase assistance when eligible
  The Brevard County program can help with down payments/second mortgages (zero interest sometimes) if you qualify. (Default)

• Compare financing options
  Even with builder‐offered locked or reduced rates, it’s wise to get quotes from independent lenders to see what’s better over the long run.

Bottom Line

New construction homes in Brevard County are still very much available, with a good range from lower cost spec homes (low $200,000’s) to higher-end luxury new builds. Because of interest-rate pressures and increased competition, many builders are offering more incentives than in recent years. For buyers who are ready, informed, and who qualify for programs, now can be a favorable time to negotiate or find value.

If you’d like, I can pull listings from specific areas like Palm Bay, Titusville, or Cocoa, showing which homes have the best incentives right now. Do you want me to put that together for you?

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

💯For a Free List of all new construction homes in Brevard, many with incentives,  visit https://NewHomesBrevard.com.

🔍Click Here To Find your Next Home!🔎