Cocoa Beach city leaders have formally requested the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to audit how tourism tax revenue is being spent in the area, citing concerns that funds may not be directly benefiting local residents. The request comes as the city seeks greater accountability for the 7.5% tourism tax imposed on hotel stays, which generated over $12 million for Brevard County in 2023 alone.

City Manager Chris Wiggins said the review is necessary after residents raised questions about where the money goes. "We want to ensure these taxes are funding projects that directly help our community," Wiggins said during a recent city council meeting. The tax, established in 2016, is meant to support infrastructure, beach preservation, and emergency services but has faced criticism for opaque spending reports.

The request follows a 2022 audit that found $2.3 million in unallocated tourism tax funds across Brevard County. Cocoa Beach officials argue that without clearer tracking, the money could be funneled to state-level initiatives rather than local needs. "Transparency is the only way we’ll know if our taxes are actually improving our beaches or fixing roads," said Councilwoman Maria Lopez.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has 30 days to respond to the request, though officials there have not yet commented. Similar requests have been made by other coastal cities, including Satellite Beach and Titusville, which also want more detailed breakdowns of how tourism tax money is distributed.

Local business owners have mixed reactions. "I support transparency, but I worry this could lead to more regulations," said John Carter, owner of a Cocoa Beach seafood restaurant. Others, like surfer and small business advocate Tanya Reyes, said the audit could help redirect funds to underfunded areas. "If the money isn’t going to the beaches or the fire department, we need to know why," Reyes said.

The city plans to hold a public forum next month to discuss the issue further, with details to be posted on the Cocoa Beach website.