ORLANDO, Fla. — Brevard County leaders held a special meeting with several elected county officials to discuss concerns they have with county budgets. 

Commissioners say projected budget increases by the Supervisor of Elections and Property Appraiser are too high, and they are accusing those office holders of not being transparent.

What You Need To Know

  • Brevard County voters approved a referendum in 2008 that caps ad valorem revenue budget increases at 3% 

  • The Supervisor of Elections and Property Appraiser are asking for increases higher than that

  • Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic gave several reasons for a projected 19% increase in his office’s budget for fiscal year 2023-24, including four elections happening in the new fiscal year
  • County leaders plan to finalize budgets in July

Brevard County voters approved a referendum in 2008 that caps ad valorem revenue budget increases at 3%.

The Supervisor of Elections and Property Appraiser are asking for increases higher than that. 

At the special meeting, Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic gave several reasons for a projected 19% increase in his office’s budget for fiscal year 2023-24. 

Bobanic says there are three more elections next year than this year, including the presidential primary. 

Bobanic says new election laws passed this year will require his office to report specific sets of information, requiring a new salaried position. 

And Bobanic says his office must spend more to upgrade desktop computers to guard against potential cybersecurity threats to the election process.

Bobanic says he’s actually asking for less of an increase than other Supervisors of Elections in other counties.

“For the 36 counties that responded to their budget requests versus their current budget, the average cost per voter was $27 and change and we came in at $16, so we were $10 cost per voter cheaper than the average,” said Bobanic.

Bobanic claims Brevard County Commissioner John Tobia is politically motivated in questioning Bobanic because Tobia is running for Brevard County Supervisor of Elections in 2024.

But Tobia says he’s only motivated by working to keep the budget fiscally responsible.

Brevard County Commissioners also directed many questions to Brevard County Property Appraiser Dana Blickley, who’s budget projection is also over the 3% cap.

County leaders plan to finalize budgets in July.