We endorse Anna Butler and Tim Reed for Town Commission
Our Town’s Government
Want to learn about the Town of Melbourne Beach’s form of Town governance, the Town’s current organization chart, who was the mayor and who were the commissioners during the last decade, and the results of Town elections held during the last decade?
Anna Butler and Tim Reed’s responses to League of Women Voter’s questions
You can find the candidates’ responses on the the League of Women Voter’s Vote411.com website.
For your convenience, here are Anna and Tim’s responses:
Town Commissioner Candidate Forum
You can view video of Town Commissioner Candidate Forum hosted by by the League of Women Voters that was held at the Melbourne Beach Community Center on October 15, 2024 on the Town’s YouTube channel.
For your convenience, here are the question and answer timestamps:
Ground rules (4:55-8:30)
Opening statements
WALKER 8:32-10:48
REED: 10:55-13:02
BUTLER: 13:11-15:15
BARTON: 15:20-17:29
Commissioner role / Why you want to be Commissioner questions (17:30-18:02)
REED: 18:05-20:19
BUTLER: 20:28-22:27
BARTON: 22:32-24:19
WALKER: 24:25-25:11
Short-term rental questions (25:13-26:20)
BUTLER: 26:30-28:36
BARTON: 28:42-31:14
WALKER: 31:19-33:30
REED: 33:35-35:46
How will you heal dissension in Melbourne Beach question (36:05-36:25)
BARTON: 36:32-38:39
WALKER: 38:50-40:49
REED: 40:52-41:29
BUTLER: 41:34-43:38
Budget questions (43:40-43:53)
WALKER: 43:57-45:33
REED: 45:38-47:49
BUTLER: 47:53-49:58
BARTON: 47:53-52:05
Stormwater / roadway infrastructure questions (52:10-52:44)
REED: 52:45-54:09
BUTLER: 54:12-55:05
BARTON: 55:12-57:06
WALKER: 57:10-59:18
Tax questions (59:25-59:51)
BUTLER: 59:56-1:02:10
BARTON: 1:02:17-1:04:29
WALKER: 1:04:34-1:06:31
REED: 1:06:59-1:08:47
Candidate’s top 3 priorities question (1:08:50-1:09:02)
BARTON: 1:09:03-1:10:59
WALKER: 1:11:05-1:12:37
REED: 1:12:41-1:14:23
BUTLER: 1:14:28-1:16:32
Anna Butler and Tim Reed’s responses to Florida Today questions
You can read the article online for free.
Florida Today asked the candidates what they believe are the top issues in the campaign for Town Commission and how they would address them.
For your convenience, here are Anna and Tim’s responses to the questions.
Anna Butler
Ordinances for short-term rentals need to be updated and tightened up. Code enforcement for STRs is currently inadequate and inefficient. Ultimately, STRs are a business venture, and should be zoned as such, instead of residential.
There is a lack of transparency and accountability amongst those in leadership roles in Melbourne Beach, which has caused an erosion of trust throughout the community. Transparency in our town government is imperative in order to build back the trust and accomplish the goals of our unique community.
I do not want to see height restrictions increased, nor do I want to see Melbourne Beach become a vacation destination. I will promote policies that support a family-oriented community. I will encourage community involvement by listening to the cares and concerns of the residents and being a responsive voice.
Tim Reed
The town has stormwater drainage and flooding problems. Infrastructure improvements have been made, but more still needs to be done to minimize the unfiltered outflow of stormwater into the Indian River Lagoon and prevent flooding of streets, yards and structures. I will listen to citizen concerns, and work with the town to identify, prioritize, plan and execute the needed infrastructure improvements in a manner that balances cost and benefit.
The town’s most impactful business investment trend is short-term rentals. The extent of the issue was not identified or adequately tracked, and our existing vacation-rental ordinances have not been enforced. I will work with the town to improve tracking and enforcement, and tighten our maximum occupancy, parking and noise ordinances.