Scope Growth & Budget Reserves - City Hall case study

City Commissioners are accountable to our customers (residents) and when they vote “yes” on agenda items, they are committing our city to certain things.  In this case study, my opponent committed Cocoa Beach to; City Hall scope growth, cost growth, and Budget Reserves reduction.

In the words of Karoline Leavitt.  “....and, I have receipts”.  

• Initial project plan (August, 2022) = 12,279 square feet, 1-story.  Page 2 https://cityofcocoabeach.com/DocumentCenter/View/6423/CB-22-004-City-Hall-and-Cultural-green-Space-Design-Criteria-Package-Part-1--ADA?bidId=
• Now = 20,000 square feet, 2-story structure.  67% building size increase
• Construction Contract – Building size requirement, Section 1.1.3 https://cocoabeach.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2163&meta_id=237395
• Commission vote = 4 yes, 1 no (Hutcherson)
• Meeting minutes - Item J1, pages 5 & 6 https://cocoabeach.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=2801&meta_id=237519

• Initial project estimate = $4.3M 
• Now = $11.5M 267% cost increase
• Commission vote = 4 yes, 1 no (Hutcherson)
• Meeting minutes – Item D1, pages 2-6  https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcocoabeach.granicus.com%2FDocumentViewer.php%3Ffile%3Dcocoabeach_73784afcb09986e3e3fc9daddd8b593f.pdf%26view%3D1&embedded=true

• $3.9M debt budgeted for City Hall
• Balance of $11.5M project cost planned to be funded by State resiliency grant
• Commission vote = 4 yes, 1 no (Hutcherson)
• Meeting minutes – https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcocoabeach.granicus.com%2FDocumentViewer.php%3Ffile%3Dcocoabeach_6fa2324c5c27eee89245b65ca3aaeaae.pdf%26view%3D1&embedded=true

• $0 State resiliency grant received
• $0 additional debt budgeted for City Hall
• $6M Budget Reserves used to fund remaining City Hall cost. FY25 budget pages B-51 & G-257
• Commission vote = 4 yes, 1 no (Hutcherson)
• Meeting minutes  - Items C1 & C2, pages 2-4.  Reference comments about deficit spending risk and problem in future years.  https://cocoabeachfl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/83/files/agenda/478