Palm Bay, FL – The window for “Speak Up Brevard” is officially open. This annual program—formally known as the Citizen Efficiency and Effectiveness Recommendation (CEER) process—is a rare, charter-mandated tool that empowers residents to influence the micro-operations of their county government. Unlike standard public comment periods where a board might listen without obligation, Speak Up Brevard is a legally codified process that mandates administrative evaluation and legislative adjudication for every formal proposal submitted by the public.
Understanding the “CEER” Power Move
The program was created through a 2010 voter referendum and is governed by Board Policy BCC-95. Its purpose is simple: to find ways the county can become more efficient and effective. While the program was underutilized for years, recent cycles have seen a significant uptick in participation.
The primary advantage of a Speak Up Brevard submission is the guarantee of action. Once an idea is submitted, the County Manager has 90 days to perform a staff evaluation. Within 120 days, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) must take a formal vote to either approve, reject, or modify the recommendation.
What Makes a “Supportable” Recommendation?
Not every idea is eligible for the Speak Up Brevard process. To avoid a “Recommend to Reject” status, your proposal should meet these criteria:
Jurisdictional Authority: The recommendation must fall within the authority of the Board of County Commissioners. It cannot dictate policy for the City of Palm Bay, the School Board, or “Constitutional Officers” like the Sheriff or Property Appraiser.
Efficiency and Effectiveness: Focus on ideas that conserve energy, save costs, eliminate duplication, generate revenue, or increase productivity.
Operational Scope: This is not a tool for reporting a missed trash pickup or a specific pothole. Those are “service requests” and are handled through separate county channels. A winning CEER might instead propose a more efficient system for how all road repairs are prioritized.
Success Stories: When Citizens Move the Needle
While the threshold for approval is high—historically, over half of submissions are rejected—the “Approved with Revisions” category (roughly 30%) shows that the program is an effective starting point for negotiation between residents and staff.
Notable successes include:
Infrastructure (CEER #2021003): A resident’s push for the repair of Hammock Road led to it being placed on a formal seven-year rehabilitation schedule, forcing a long-term commitment from Public Works.
Water Conservation (CEER #2021001): A proposal for rain sensors on public lands shifted the county’s focus toward metering reclaimed water on county-owned systems, achieving the same environmental goal through a different administrative mechanism.
Transparency: Citizen feedback led to the creation of the current online portal, allowing the public to search and track every recommendation and its outcome.
Pro-Tips for the 2026 Submission Cycle
The “Group” Advantage: County staff and commissioners often give more weight to recommendations presented by groups. If you have an idea, consider getting your neighborhood association or a local civic organization to co-sign the submission.
Public Record Warning: Florida’s robust public records laws apply here. Once you submit your idea, your name and the full text of the proposal become public record. There is currently no mechanism to edit a submission once it is placed, so ensure your proposal is complete and accurate before hitting submit.
How to Participate
The submission portal is open from January 1 through January 31, 2026.
Draft Your Idea: Identify the specific efficiency you want to address and, if possible, suggest how it might be funded.
Submit Online: Visit the Official Speak Up Brevard Portal to fill out the form.
Monitor the Timeline: Submitters are typically notified at least one week before their recommendation is heard and voted on by the Board in the spring.
Learn from the Pros
Watch the full workshop below to see how local residents presented their 2025 recommendations to the Board:
03/03/2025 - Brevard County Commission Workshop
Citation: Recent workshops have highlighted the Board’s shift toward dedicated forums for citizen submitters to address the full Board directly.
