Public Safety
Commissioner Feltner believes that public safety is the #1 job of government. He fully supports Brevard’s first responders.
Commissioner Feltner petitioned the Florida Legislature to allow counties to use the “tourism tax” collected from hotel stays to pay the costs of Ocean Rescue Lifeguards, which is part of our Fire Department’s Budget. That law passed and today, all of Florida’s oceanfront counties can use tourism tax to pay for lifeguards.
In 2027 (the upcoming budget year), the tourists will pay 75% of Brevard’s Ocean Rescue Lifeguard costs. This will save Brevard’s property tax payers $3 million. In 2028, tourists will pay 100% of lifeguard costs, saving Brevard’s property tax payers $4 million.
Commissioner Feltner has the endorsement of Sheriff Wayne Ivey and the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association, as well as Brevard’s State Attorney Will Scheiner.
The Coast Florida Police Benevolent Association stated, “we can think of no one more qualified to represent the residents of Brevard County than you, and our members are steadfast in their support of you.” Sheriff Ivey stated, “Rob shares a deep commitment to partnering together to keep our community among the safest in the nation”. State Attorney Scheiner said, “Rob and I share a commitment to public safety while maintaining fiscal responsibility”.
Commissioner Feltner appreciates the support of these community leaders and is committed to continuing to work with them in the best interest of the people of Brevard.
Infrastructure
Commissioner Feltner believes that along with first responders, one of the core functions of government is maintaining and improving our infrastructure. This includes roads, sewer systems, water treatment plants.
Commissioner Feltner has worked with our State Representatives to prioritize the widening of Ellis Road. It is his expectation that a number of people traveling to our tech corridor will use I-95 rather than Wickham Road and US1. This will ease some of our North-South traffic congestion.
Commissioner Feltner also recognizes that widening Wickham Road beyond its current 4 lanes is impractical. However, to improve the flow of traffic, he spearheaded a project to create deeper turn lanes to get cars out of the flow of traffic when they are waiting to turn.
Taxes, Spending, and Not Exceeding the Charter Cap
Commissioner Feltner has been an advocate for the taxpayers on the County Commission.
When Rob Feltner ran for office in 2022, he promised he wouldn’t vote to raise the property tax millage rate and he has kept that promise.
Commissioner Feltner also voted against an increase to the gas tax, a new tax on utilities, and an increase to stormwater fees.
In his own office, Commissioner Feltner limited spending to allow him to return $195,000 to the taxpayers from the District 4 Commission Office. He does not request or receive travel reimbursements of any kind and keeps spending to a minimum.
Commissioner Feltner collaborated with the St. Johns River Management District to cut costs, which saved over $8 million for the Indian River Lagoon’s restoration.
The Brevard County Charter contains a voter approved provision that limits the allowable increase in property taxes to keep up with inflation to the lower or 3% or the consumer price index, which is tied to inflation. This is referred to as “the cap” and unless the County Commission overrides it by a supermajority vote, it must be adhered to.
As a lifelong conservative, in 2022 Commissioner Feltner assured the voters that he would not vote to exceed the charter cap. Each year, he made it clear to fellow commissioners that he would vote NO on that issue. In July of 2026, the issue of directing staff to prepare a budget that shows the option of exceeding the charter cap was proposed and Commissioner Feltner voted NO.
The final vote on the budget is in September and if the final version of the budget exceeds the charter cap, Commissioner Feltner will once again vote NO.
Commissioner Feltner will continue to work to do the people’s business at the lowest cost to Brevard’s taxpayers.
Indian River Lagoon Restoration
Commissioner Feltner often says that it took three generations to pollute the Indian River Lagoon and it is going to take this one to clean it up. He voted to put the Save our Indian River Lagoon Referendum on the ballot this November.
Throughout his term, Commissioner Feltner has worked with the Brevard Department of Natural Resources, as well as local volunteer groups, to collaborate on ways to bring the lagoon back to full health.
The Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition fully supports Commissioner Feltner and states that he “understands the value that a healthy Indian River Lagoon brings to Brevard residents. He has been the County representative on the IRL Council of the National Estuary Program.”