Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina Highlights Holiday Season, Upcoming Festivities in Monthly Message

Holiday Light Fest runs through dec. 19

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – With the holiday season upon us and the year’s end drawing close, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the past year.

As 2021 nears its end, I want to assure all Palm Bayers that our commitment to accountability, integrity, and transparency remains steadfast.

On February 25, 2021, the City held an anti-corruption workshop facilitated by Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Agent and Private Sector Coordinator Andrew Sekala.

The workshop served to educate City Council, City staff, and attendees on pitfalls other government agencies experienced and how to successfully guard against them.

The City of Palm Bay continues to work on strengthening processes and increasing efficiencies.

Utilizing the findings from the 18-month audit performed by the State of Florida’s Auditor General, the City has implemented new programs and process improvements to effect meaningful changes and set the City on a path for long-term success.

Many of the most significant changes have taken place in our Procurement Department. Following a Special Workshop, the City adopted a revised Procurement Ordinance, Manual, and Administrative Code, providing enhancements, efficiencies, cost-savings, and added transparency to the City’s procurement process.

The City of Palm Bay is also working toward implementing disaster recovery site plans to enable a timely and complete response following a future disaster.

Additionally, the City’s Information Technology Department has established a monthly cell phone bill review process to ensure usage is properly aligned with staff duties and responsibilities.

In 2020, the Palm Bay City Manager’s Office commissioned a fraud risk assessment on three City processes to identify vulnerabilities and provide recommendations that will improve both preventative and detective controls.

The areas of evaluation include cash handling functions related to Parks and Recreation, payroll operations, and fuel use management. Staff is already working towards addressing each item in phases, starting with the highest risk and highest priority.

The City will commission a second risk assessment to evaluate additional areas in 2022.

The past year has been a whirlwind, and I am proud to say that it has been one marked by hard work, great progress, and significant successes.

Last month marked the anniversary of my first year in office and I have valued the opportunity to serve as your mayor this year.

As I reflect on this first year, I will remember the City Council meetings, the ribbon cuttings, and the events, but most of all I will remember all the wonderful people I connected with.  It is a privilege to serve this community that I hold so dear – the greatest city on the face of the earth, and I am excited and ready for all the future holds.

WATCH: Here’s a look back on the City of Palm Bay’s 2021 Holiday Light Parade.

I would like to send a special thank you out to everyone who came out for the 2021 Palm Bay Holiday Light Parade! Seeing all your smiling faces and waving to all of you from the City float was a wonderful experience.

I am thankful to each and every person who helped to make the parade a success. I’d also like to remind you that the Palm Bay Drive-Thru Light Fest is happening at Fred Poppe Regional Park.

We will have light displays set up throughout the park to celebrate the holiday season and spread a little Christmas cheer. The Holiday Light Fest is F-R-double-E, free, and runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on December 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19.

Speaking of F-R-double-E, free, the annual Family Christmas Extravaganza returns to Fred Poppe Regional Park on December 18! This event – the largest Christmas party on the Space Coast – holds a special place in my heart.

Presented by The House Church, the Family Christmas Extravaganza is a free community event featuring live entertainment, free food, drinks, entertainment, giveaways, and plenty of activities for kids of all ages. I hope you’ll join me at the Extravaganza as we work to make sure the holiday season is bright and bountiful for all here in Palm Bay!

This festive season, I hope you’ll allow me to share my heart. To all Palm Bayers, and to friends near and far, I send my warmest holiday wishes.

I hope and pray that your season will be filled with joy, fellowship, and blessings. Let us all remember the reason for the season as we celebrate together. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Palm Bay!

– Palm Bay Mayor Mayor Rob Medina

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