Palm Bay, Florida
Encyclopedia
Palm Bay is a city in Brevard County
, Florida
, United States
. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population as 100,786 on 1 July 2008; it is the most populous city in the county. Palm Bay is a principal city of the Palm Bay–Melbourne
–Titusville
Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 536,521 on 1 July 2008.
Palm Bay's recent history began in the 1850s when the first European settlers built homes along Turkey Creek. Originally referred to as Tillman, the settlement was described as a "small strip of hammock...on each side of Turkey Creek...mostly pine and palmetto, miserable sandy barren oak scrub, some ponds and interspersed with sawgrass and gallberry."
By the mid-nineteenth century, there was a lumbering operation, packing house, and orange groves. Growth was slow until the arrival of the railroad in 1894. Then goods were brought in and produce was shipped to market faster.
Between 1910 and 1914, Tillman became the center for a land company known as the Indian River Catholic Colony. Attempting to grow two crops a season, farmers quickly depleted the soil, and the colony failed. Those remaining built St. Joseph's Church on Miller Street, the oldest building still standing.
In the 1920s, the city was renamed after the bay bordered with sabal palm trees
known as Palm Bay
located at the mouth of Turkey Creek. A group of Tillman businessmen established the Melbourne-Tillman Drainage District, and issued $1.5 million worth of bonds. Starting in 1922, a 180 miles (289.7 km) grid of 80 canal
s was dug to drain 40000 acres (161.9 km²) of swampy land west of Palm Bay. The canals made it possible to control flooding and turn marsh lands to agricultural use. Farmers planted citrus groves and truck farms which shipped winter produce by the Florida East Coast Railroad to northern markets. Farmers sold timber and land to paper companies. In 1926, a fire among the dredges and a severe hurricane economically depressed Palm Bay. The Melbourne-Tillman Drainage District went bankrupt.
In 1959, General Development Corporation
purchased and platted extensive tracts of land in Palm Bay for its large residential project known as Port Malabar. The city incorporated itself on January 16, 1960. Prior to expanding their borders, the city population was 2,808 that year.
The active development of the city after that point was intertwined with GDC, who laid out and built many of the streets, sold and built many of the city's now older homes, and built a water treatment plant later purchased by the city after GDC filed for bankruptcy in 1991.
The city made the finals for "All American City" for three years (2003–2005).
In 2008, the former Port Malabar Country Club property was revalued at $300,000, essentially "worthless" because of arsenic in the groundwater which would require an estimated $12 million dollars to clean up.
There are hundreds of miles of roads that are in such poor condition that the city Public Works Department considers them unserviceable. The voters have consistently defeated measures which would have improved roads, termed the worst in Brevard. In 2005 they voted down a $58.7 million bond measure. In 2009, they defeated a $75.2 million tax referendum. In 2010, voters living in areas with the worst roads, voted 9-1 against $44.7 million assessment for repairing them. In 2011, the city government created a Palm Bay Road Maintenance District that they hope can levy taxes and alleviate the situation.
In 2009, fires on Mother's Day
destroyed 37 homes.
The Florida Scrub Jay
is threatened because the species is territorial and cannot move to better grounds when its habitat is jeopardized. In 2009, the Brevard Zoo
moved the remaining 15 scrub jay families native to the city to Buck Lake Conservation Area in Mims
.
, the city has a total area of 66.75 square miles ( km²), of which 63.65 square miles (165 km²) is land and 3.1 square miles (8 km²) is water (4.64%).
The city is often referred to in four quadrants: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast, each contain multiple zip codes. The most urban area is in the Northeast. The most rural area is in the Southwest, containing an area called The Compound
. This area is home to Bombardier Recreational Products
. A small portion of Bayside Lakes lies in the area.
Palm Bay is developing its Bayside Lakes "downtown" to create a focus for the city.
Drainage continues to be a problem in some parts of the city, caused primarily by the sudden unplanned transfer from General Development Corporation
to the city of the responsibility for planning future growth and designing adequate drainage. This problem has been mitigated since 2000 with the continued design and construction work by Palm Bay City employees. During the early 1990s, Palm Bay Regional Park, a soccer and athletic complex in the Western part of the city, was constructed. It is the largest of a citywide system of parks and recreation areas. The Turkey Creek Sanctuary
is a small nature reserve in the northeast part of the city.
As of 2010, there were 45,220 households out of which 12.7% were vacant. As of 2000, 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% are non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.03.
In 2000, the city's population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $36,508, and the median income for a family was $41,636. Males had a median income of $31,060 versus $22,203 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,992. 9.5% of the population and 7.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.5% were under the age of 18 and 8.1% were 65 or older.
spoken as a first language
accounted for 88.55% of all residents, while 11.44% spoke other languages as their mother tongue. The most significant was Spanish
speakers who made up 7.45% of the population, while French
came up as the third most spoken language, which made up 0.93%, German
was spoken by 0.92%, and Arabic
was at fourth, with 0.53% of the population.
The following corporations are located in the city:
The median home price in 2007 was $166,500.
form of government. This system of local government combines the political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council, with the managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.
The Mayor
and City Council
are the legislative branch of city government; its members are the community's decision makers. The Mayor is the presiding officer at the Council Meetings and is the official head of the City for all ceremonial occasions. Power is centralized in the elected Mayor and Council (City Council), which approves the budget, determines the tax rate, focuses on the community's goals, major projects, and such long-term considerations as community growth, land use development, capital improvement plans, capital financing, and strategic planning.
In Palm Bay, a five-member Mayor and Council, operate in accordance with the City Charter. Three positions created by the Charter (Charter Officers) are appointed by and report directly to the City Council: City Manager
, City Attorney
, and City Clerk.
The City Manager is responsible for all activities related to the operations of the City. The City Manager hires a professional staff to assist in the administration and enforcement of the City Charter, ordinances, resolutions, financial conditions and all of the various procedures and policies that are required for the City to function properly. In 2011, the annual salary of the city manager was $168,000.
Greene was elected and Isnardi reelected in 2010 and are serving four-year terms expiring in November 2014. Paccione and Capote were elected in November 2008 and will serve through November 2012. Mazziotti was reelected in 2008 without opposition.
In June 1999 Mazziotti was removed from office by then Governor Jeb Bush
when it was revealed that the mayor had previously served two prison sentences and did not have his civil rights restored. After having his civil rights restored, he ran again for the City Council and won. He ran unopposed for mayor in 2005 and 2008. He has been the city's longest serving mayor.
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $5.84 billion. This amount was the largest of any municipality in the county.
In 2010, the city opened a data base to the public, http://open.palmbayflorida.org, that tracks city income and expenditures.
In 2010, the city employed 913 full-time equivalent workers.
In 2008, the police department won an award for training patrolmen to properly collect DNA samples. At the time, they were the only police force in the world with this program.
In 2006, they became the highest paid fire department in the county. In 2010, average compensation exceeded $68,000 annually. Supplements earned during a year were also eligible for retirement. Thus a 2010 retiree, a 47-year old with a former salary of $75,540, was receiving an $86,580 pension annually.
I 2011, at least one police officer used Skype
to obtain warrants promptly.
The following are public elementary schools in the city:
Private schools include:
Public High Schools:
There is a Palm Bay Campus of the Brevard Community College
.
Major roads in Palm Bay include:
Most roads in the area west of DeGroodt Road are unpaved
.
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population as 100,786 on 1 July 2008; it is the most populous city in the county. Palm Bay is a principal city of the Palm Bay–Melbourne
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
–Titusville
Titusville, Florida
Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...
Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 536,521 on 1 July 2008.
History
The Timucuan Indians, attracted to the mouth of Turkey Creek at the Indian River by fresh water springs, fish, oysters, and wildlife, are thought to have been the first inhabitants in the Palm Bay area.Palm Bay's recent history began in the 1850s when the first European settlers built homes along Turkey Creek. Originally referred to as Tillman, the settlement was described as a "small strip of hammock...on each side of Turkey Creek...mostly pine and palmetto, miserable sandy barren oak scrub, some ponds and interspersed with sawgrass and gallberry."
By the mid-nineteenth century, there was a lumbering operation, packing house, and orange groves. Growth was slow until the arrival of the railroad in 1894. Then goods were brought in and produce was shipped to market faster.
Between 1910 and 1914, Tillman became the center for a land company known as the Indian River Catholic Colony. Attempting to grow two crops a season, farmers quickly depleted the soil, and the colony failed. Those remaining built St. Joseph's Church on Miller Street, the oldest building still standing.
In the 1920s, the city was renamed after the bay bordered with sabal palm trees
Sabal palmetto
Sabal palmetto, also known as cabbage palm, palmetto, cabbage palmetto, palmetto palm, blue palmetto, Carolina palmetto, common palmetto, swamp cabbage and sabal palm, is one of 15 species of palmetto palm . It is native to the southeastern United States, Cuba, and the Bahamas...
known as Palm Bay
Palm Bay (Florida)
This article is for the bay. For the city in Florida, see Palm Bay.Palm Bay is a bay located in Palm Bay, Florida, United States and is bordered to the South by the Palm Bay Pointe peninsula. It is an estuary of Indian River and Turkey Creek drains into Palm Bay...
located at the mouth of Turkey Creek. A group of Tillman businessmen established the Melbourne-Tillman Drainage District, and issued $1.5 million worth of bonds. Starting in 1922, a 180 miles (289.7 km) grid of 80 canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
s was dug to drain 40000 acres (161.9 km²) of swampy land west of Palm Bay. The canals made it possible to control flooding and turn marsh lands to agricultural use. Farmers planted citrus groves and truck farms which shipped winter produce by the Florida East Coast Railroad to northern markets. Farmers sold timber and land to paper companies. In 1926, a fire among the dredges and a severe hurricane economically depressed Palm Bay. The Melbourne-Tillman Drainage District went bankrupt.
In 1959, General Development Corporation
General Development Corporation
General Development Corporation, also known as GDC, was the largest land development company in Florida. Founded in 1954 by brothers Elliot, Robert, and Frank Mackle Jr., and based in Miami, Florida, GDC established several "NEW" communities in the 1950s & 1960s, and promoted inexpensive Florida...
purchased and platted extensive tracts of land in Palm Bay for its large residential project known as Port Malabar. The city incorporated itself on January 16, 1960. Prior to expanding their borders, the city population was 2,808 that year.
The active development of the city after that point was intertwined with GDC, who laid out and built many of the streets, sold and built many of the city's now older homes, and built a water treatment plant later purchased by the city after GDC filed for bankruptcy in 1991.
The city made the finals for "All American City" for three years (2003–2005).
In 2008, the former Port Malabar Country Club property was revalued at $300,000, essentially "worthless" because of arsenic in the groundwater which would require an estimated $12 million dollars to clean up.
There are hundreds of miles of roads that are in such poor condition that the city Public Works Department considers them unserviceable. The voters have consistently defeated measures which would have improved roads, termed the worst in Brevard. In 2005 they voted down a $58.7 million bond measure. In 2009, they defeated a $75.2 million tax referendum. In 2010, voters living in areas with the worst roads, voted 9-1 against $44.7 million assessment for repairing them. In 2011, the city government created a Palm Bay Road Maintenance District that they hope can levy taxes and alleviate the situation.
In 2009, fires on Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
destroyed 37 homes.
The Florida Scrub Jay
Florida Scrub Jay
The Florida Scrub-Jay is one of the species of scrub-jay native to North America. It is the only species of bird endemic to the U.S. state of Florida. Because of this, it is heavily sought by birders who travel from across the country to observe this unique species...
is threatened because the species is territorial and cannot move to better grounds when its habitat is jeopardized. In 2009, the Brevard Zoo
Brevard Zoo
Brevard Zoo is a zoo located in Melbourne, Florida, United States.In 2009, the zoo contained 577 animals representing 165 species from North and South America as well as Australia and Africa. The zoo is a non-profit institution. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.The zoo...
moved the remaining 15 scrub jay families native to the city to Buck Lake Conservation Area in Mims
Mims, Florida
Mims is a census-designated place in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 9,147 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Mims is located at ....
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 66.75 square miles ( km²), of which 63.65 square miles (165 km²) is land and 3.1 square miles (8 km²) is water (4.64%).
The city is often referred to in four quadrants: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast, each contain multiple zip codes. The most urban area is in the Northeast. The most rural area is in the Southwest, containing an area called The Compound
The Compound
The Compound, also known as Street Patterns or The Grid, is an area in southwestern Palm Bay, Florida, similar to Flagler Estates. It is largely undeveloped area of some of paved road...
. This area is home to Bombardier Recreational Products
Bombardier Recreational Products
Bombardier Recreational Products or BRP is a Canadian company that traces its roots back to the year 1942 when Joseph-Armand Bombardier founded L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée in Valcourt in the Eastern Townships, Quebec.In 2003, Bombardier Inc...
. A small portion of Bayside Lakes lies in the area.
Palm Bay is developing its Bayside Lakes "downtown" to create a focus for the city.
Drainage continues to be a problem in some parts of the city, caused primarily by the sudden unplanned transfer from General Development Corporation
General Development Corporation
General Development Corporation, also known as GDC, was the largest land development company in Florida. Founded in 1954 by brothers Elliot, Robert, and Frank Mackle Jr., and based in Miami, Florida, GDC established several "NEW" communities in the 1950s & 1960s, and promoted inexpensive Florida...
to the city of the responsibility for planning future growth and designing adequate drainage. This problem has been mitigated since 2000 with the continued design and construction work by Palm Bay City employees. During the early 1990s, Palm Bay Regional Park, a soccer and athletic complex in the Western part of the city, was constructed. It is the largest of a citywide system of parks and recreation areas. The Turkey Creek Sanctuary
Turkey Creek Sanctuary
Turkey Creek is also a village in Louisiana----The Turkey Creek Sanctuary is a small nature reserve in the city of Palm Bay in Brevard County, Florida, and incorporates both wet hammock and sand pine ridge habitats...
is a small nature reserve in the northeast part of the city.
Climate
Surrounding areas
- St. Johns RiverSt. Johns RiverThe St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
; Sawgrass LakeSawgrass LakeSawgrass Lake is a lake in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is one of the lakes that form the St. Johns River. The lake is difficult to get to without the boat ramp on the west shore of the St. Johns River, located immediately on your left after you cross the river on U.S. Route 192...
; Lake Hellen Blazes; Indian FieldsIndian FieldsThe Indian Fields are a collection of historic sites in Brevard County, Florida. They are located on the southeast bank of Ruth Lake, approximately eight miles west of Titusville. On April 14, 1994, they were added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References and external links:* ...
; St. John's Marsh; Osceola CountyOsceola County, FloridaOsceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 172,493. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 244,045, making it the 17th fastest-growing county in the United States. Its county seat is Kissimmee.- History :Osceola County was...
- Grant-VakariaGrant-Valkaria, FloridaGrant-Valkaria is a town in Brevard County, Florida, south of Melbourne between Palm Bay and Sebastian . Grant-Valkaria was incorporated as a town on July 25, 2006 by joining the two previously unincorporated communities of Grant and Valkaria...
; MalabarMalabar, FloridaMalabar is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,622 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,772 . It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Malabar is...
; Indian River LagoonIndian River LagoonThe Indian River Lagoon is a grouping of three lagoons: Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and the Indian River, on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. It was originally named Rio de Ais after the Ais Indian tribe, who lived along the east coast of Florida.... - West MelbourneWest Melbourne, FloridaWest Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It was created in 1959 to stop the area from being annexed into the City of Melbourne. The population was 9,824 at the 2000 census. In 1970, the city's population was approximately 3,050. As of 2008, the estimated population...
; MelbourneMelbourne, FloridaMelbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
- Deer Run; St John's Marsh
Demographics
| Palm Bay Demographics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Census United States Census, 2010 The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals... |
Palm Bay | Brevard County | Florida |
| Total population | 103,190 | 543,376 | 18,801,310 |
| Population, percent change, 2000 to 2010 | |||
| Population density | 1,570.6/sq mi | 535.0/sq mi | 350.6/sq mi |
| White or Caucasian (including White Hispanic) | 63.9% | 77.6% | 75.0% |
| (Non-Hispanic White or Caucasian Non-Hispanic Whites Non-Hispanic Whites or White, Not Hispanic or Latino are people in the United States, as defined by the Census Bureau, who are of the White race and are not of Hispanic or Latino origin/ethnicity. Hence the designation is exclusive in the sense that it defines who is not included as opposed to who is... ) |
46.3% | 53.7% | 57.9% |
| Black or African-American | 17.9% | 10.1% | 16.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 14.1% | 8.1% | 22.5% |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.1% | 2.4% |
| Native American or Native Alaskan | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) Multiracial American Multiracial Americans, US residents who identify themselves as of "two or more races", were numbered at around 9 million, or 2.9% of the population, in the census of 2010. However there is considerable evidence that the real number is far higher. Prior to the mid-20th century many people hid their... |
3.6% | 2.6% | 2.5% |
| Some Other Race | 3.2% | 1.7% | 3.6% |
As of 2010, there were 45,220 households out of which 12.7% were vacant. As of 2000, 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% are non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.03.
In 2000, the city's population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $36,508, and the median income for a family was $41,636. Males had a median income of $31,060 versus $22,203 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,992. 9.5% of the population and 7.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.5% were under the age of 18 and 8.1% were 65 or older.
Languages
As of 2000, EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
spoken as a first language
First language
A first language is the language a person has learned from birth or within the critical period, or that a person speaks the best and so is often the basis for sociolinguistic identity...
accounted for 88.55% of all residents, while 11.44% spoke other languages as their mother tongue. The most significant was Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
speakers who made up 7.45% of the population, while French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
came up as the third most spoken language, which made up 0.93%, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
was spoken by 0.92%, and Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
was at fourth, with 0.53% of the population.
Industry
Forbes magazine ranked the city as 11th most innovative in the nation in 2010.The following corporations are located in the city:
- Harris CorporationHarris CorporationHarris Corporation is a Florida-based international communications equipment company that produces wireless equipment, electronic systems, and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. It is also the largest private-sector employer in...
manufacturing has 3,400 employees on its Palm Bay campus on Palm Bay Road - IntersilIntersilIntersil Corporation is an American company that specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of high-performance analog semiconductors for four high-growth markets — Communications, Computing, High End Consumer and Industrial.-Company history:...
employed 700 people in 2010 - MC Assembly
- USBid Inc Semiconductor Distribution
- DRS RSTA, Inc., a DRS TechnologiesDRS TechnologiesDRS Technologies, Inc. is a US-based defense contractor. Previously traded on the NYSE, the company was purchased by the Italian firm Finmeccanica in October 2008.-History:...
company - Palm Bay Hospital (formerly Palm Bay Community Hospital) owned by Health First
Workforce
In 2007, the average size of Palm Bay's labor force was 49,935. Of that group, 47,542 were employed and 2,393 were unemployed, for an unemployment rate of 4.8%. This figure had risen to 6,571 (12.7 %) and was the highest rate in the county.Housing
In 2008, 403 building permits were issued for 534 units. This was down from 739 permits issued for 739 units in 2007, which was down from 1766 permits for 1771 units in 2006.The median home price in 2007 was $166,500.
Government
Palm Bay utilizes the council-managerCouncil-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
form of government. This system of local government combines the political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council, with the managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.
The Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
are the legislative branch of city government; its members are the community's decision makers. The Mayor is the presiding officer at the Council Meetings and is the official head of the City for all ceremonial occasions. Power is centralized in the elected Mayor and Council (City Council), which approves the budget, determines the tax rate, focuses on the community's goals, major projects, and such long-term considerations as community growth, land use development, capital improvement plans, capital financing, and strategic planning.
In Palm Bay, a five-member Mayor and Council, operate in accordance with the City Charter. Three positions created by the Charter (Charter Officers) are appointed by and report directly to the City Council: City Manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
, City Attorney
City attorney
A city attorney can be an elected or appointed position in city and municipal government in the United States. The city attorney is the attorney representing the city or municipality....
, and City Clerk.
The City Manager is responsible for all activities related to the operations of the City. The City Manager hires a professional staff to assist in the administration and enforcement of the City Charter, ordinances, resolutions, financial conditions and all of the various procedures and policies that are required for the City to function properly. In 2011, the annual salary of the city manager was $168,000.
- Mayor - John Mazziotti
- Deputy Mayor - Kristine Isnardi
- Councilmembers - Ken Greene, Michele Paccione, and William Capote
- City Manager - Sue Hann
Greene was elected and Isnardi reelected in 2010 and are serving four-year terms expiring in November 2014. Paccione and Capote were elected in November 2008 and will serve through November 2012. Mazziotti was reelected in 2008 without opposition.
In June 1999 Mazziotti was removed from office by then Governor Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
when it was revealed that the mayor had previously served two prison sentences and did not have his civil rights restored. After having his civil rights restored, he ran again for the City Council and won. He ran unopposed for mayor in 2005 and 2008. He has been the city's longest serving mayor.
In 2007, the city had a taxable real estate base of $5.84 billion. This amount was the largest of any municipality in the county.
In 2010, the city opened a data base to the public, http://open.palmbayflorida.org, that tracks city income and expenditures.
In 2010, the city employed 913 full-time equivalent workers.
In 2008, the police department won an award for training patrolmen to properly collect DNA samples. At the time, they were the only police force in the world with this program.
Water department
In 2009 the utilities department had 545 miles (877.1 km) of water lines, 300 miles (482.8 km) of sewer lines, 2,250 fire hydrants, and 120 full-time equivalent employees.Fire department
In 2010, there was some fiscal concern over firefighters pensions. Firefighters averaged $71,100 annually plus $5,590 overtime pay. They were eligible for 100% of base pay after 28 years of service.In 2006, they became the highest paid fire department in the county. In 2010, average compensation exceeded $68,000 annually. Supplements earned during a year were also eligible for retirement. Thus a 2010 retiree, a 47-year old with a former salary of $75,540, was receiving an $86,580 pension annually.
Public safety
A 2009 survey indicated that the city was ranked 263 out of 400 in crime statistics, with #1 being the worst. Crimes included murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.I 2011, at least one police officer used Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
to obtain warrants promptly.
Education
All public schools are run by the Brevard County School Board:The following are public elementary schools in the city:
- Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
- Columbia Elementary School
- Oakwood Academy Charter School
- Palm Bay Academy Charter School
- Palm Bay Community Charter School
- River's Edge Charter Academy
- Royal Palm Charter School
- Odyssey Charter School
- Discovery Elementary School
- John F. Turner Sr. Elementary School
- Jupiter Elementary School
- Lockmar Elementary School
- Palm Bay Elementary School
- Port Malabar Elementary School
- Riviera Elementary School
- Sunrise Elementary School
- Westside Elementary School
- Southwest Middle School
Private schools include:
- Covenant Christian School
- Cornerstone Christan School
- St. Joseph Catholic School
- New Hope Lutheran Academy
Public High Schools:
- Bayside High SchoolBayside High School (Palm Bay, Florida)Bayside High School is a high school in Palm Bay, Florida. It is part of the Brevard Public Schools System.-Academics:In January 2007 school began an Engineering magnet program known as Bayside Engineering and Technology Academy...
- Palm Bay High School which actually lies within the city of Melbourne.
- Heritage High SchoolHeritage High School (Palm Bay, Florida)Heritage High School is a high school in Palm Bay, Florida run by Brevard Public Schools. It is the 16th school in the district. The school is located on of land with a student capacity of 2,384. The budget for the project was $80,000,000. As of March 5, 2009, the school was 88% completed....
There is a Palm Bay Campus of the Brevard Community College
Brevard Community College
Brevard Community College, founded in 1960, is a community college on Florida's Space Coast, in Brevard County, Florida. It has four campuses in Cocoa, Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Titusville, as well as an Aerospace program at Kennedy Space Center and a Virtual Campus...
.
Transportation
Interstate 95Interstate 95 in FloridaInterstate 95 is the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States; it serves the Atlantic coast of Florida. It begins at a partial interchange with U.S. Highway 1 just south of downtown Miami, and heads north past Daytona Beach and Jacksonville to the Georgia state line at the St...
- This interstate highway runs through the eastern side of Palm Bay. There are two exits in the city, Palm Bay Road (exit 176) and Malabar Road (exit 173).
U.S. 1U.S. Route 1 in FloridaU.S. Route 1 in Florida runs along the state's east coast from Key West to its crossing of the St. Marys River into Georgia north of Boulogne, and south of Folkston. US 1 was designated through Florida when the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926.US 1 runs in the state of Florida, and...
- This road serves the northeastern section of the city. It is intersected by 4 main roads: Malabar Road, Port Malabar Boulevard, Robert J. Conlan Boulevard and Palm Bay Road.
Babcock StreetState Road 507 (Florida)Also known locally as Babcock Street, State Road 507 is a -long, four lane highway serving Melbourne and Palm Bay, Florida. The southern terminus is an intersection with Malabar Road in Palm Bay; the current northern terminus is an intersection with New Haven Avenue in Melbourne...
- This roadRoadA road is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places, which typically has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by some conveyance, including a horse, cart, or motor vehicle. Roads consist of one, or sometimes two, roadways each with one or more lanes and also any...
runs through the eastern portion of Palm Bay. It provides a direct route to FellsmereFellsmere, FloridaFellsmere is a city in Indian River County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,813 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 4,658...
in Indian River County from Brevard County. Main intersections include Palm Bay Road, Port Malabar Boulevard, Malabar RoadState Road 514 (Florida)State Road 514, also known as Malabar Road, is a long east–west highway that serves Palm Bay and Malabar, Florida. It is the only east–west Brevard County major road to be in the 27th and 28th degrees latitude, and the dividing line between north and south Palm Bay. Between the town...
, Waco Boulevard, Valkaria Road, Grant Road, Eldron Boulevard, and Cogan Drive.
Malabar RoadState Road 514 (Florida)State Road 514, also known as Malabar Road, is a long east–west highway that serves Palm Bay and Malabar, Florida. It is the only east–west Brevard County major road to be in the 27th and 28th degrees latitude, and the dividing line between north and south Palm Bay. Between the town...
- This road connects U.S. 1U.S. Route 1 in FloridaU.S. Route 1 in Florida runs along the state's east coast from Key West to its crossing of the St. Marys River into Georgia north of Boulogne, and south of Folkston. US 1 was designated through Florida when the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926.US 1 runs in the state of Florida, and...
along the Indian River (Florida)Indian River (Florida)The Indian River is a waterway in Florida, a part of the Indian River Lagoon system which forms the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. It extends southward from the Ponce de Leon inlet in New Smyrna Beach, Florida [Volusia County] southward and across the "Haulover Canal" and along the western shore...
on the far eastern end of the city to the far western end at the headwaters of the St. Johns RiverSt. Johns RiverThe St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
. It is the main road to the townTownA town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
of MalabarMalabar, FloridaMalabar is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,622 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,772 . It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Malabar is...
, which gives its name to the road and is largely surrounded by Palm Bay. City Hall and Palm Bay Regional Park are located at its western terminus. Main intersections include Interstate 95Interstate 95 in FloridaInterstate 95 is the main Interstate Highway on the east coast of the United States; it serves the Atlantic coast of Florida. It begins at a partial interchange with U.S. Highway 1 just south of downtown Miami, and heads north past Daytona Beach and Jacksonville to the Georgia state line at the St...
, Babcock StreetState Road 507 (Florida)Also known locally as Babcock Street, State Road 507 is a -long, four lane highway serving Melbourne and Palm Bay, Florida. The southern terminus is an intersection with Malabar Road in Palm Bay; the current northern terminus is an intersection with New Haven Avenue in Melbourne...
, Minton Road, San Filippo Drive, Emerson Drive, Jupiter Boulevard and Eldron Boulevard.
- Emerson Drive, Bayside Lakes Boulevard, and Bombardier Boulevard - All 3 roads make a large crescent-shaped roadway. The northern terminus is Amador Avenue, the southern terminus is a dead end in The CompoundThe CompoundThe Compound, also known as Street Patterns or The Grid, is an area in southwestern Palm Bay, Florida, similar to Flagler Estates. It is largely undeveloped area of some of paved road...
. There is a dirt roadDirt roadDirt road is a common term for an unpaved road made from the native material of the land surface through which it passes, known to highway engineers as subgrade material. Dirt roads are suitable for vehicles; a narrower path for pedestrians, animals, and possibly small vehicles would be called a...
, Emerson Drive, off Degroodt Road. The western terminus of the route is Sappodilla Road. Main intersections include Wingham Drive, Sapodilla Road, Degroodt Road, Eldron Boulevard, Walden Boulevard, Waco Boulevard, Malabar Road, Minton Road, and Jupiter Boulevard.
Most roads in the area west of DeGroodt Road are unpaved
Dirt road
Dirt road is a common term for an unpaved road made from the native material of the land surface through which it passes, known to highway engineers as subgrade material. Dirt roads are suitable for vehicles; a narrower path for pedestrians, animals, and possibly small vehicles would be called a...
.
Notable residents
- Deanne BellDeanne BellDeanne Olivia Bell is an American television personality known for PBS's Design Squad, Discovery Channel's Smash Lab, and National Geographic's "The Egyptian Job". She is currently a co-host for DIY Network's "Money Hunters" and ESPN's "Rise Up".Bell is originally from Palm Bay, Florida. In...
, an American reality television show host known for PBSPublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
's Design SquadDesign SquadDesign Squad is a PBS reality television series geared towards middle and high-school children, where they design whimsical machines in order to win an Intel college scholarship worth $10,000. The show is produced by WGBH.- Hosts :...
and Discovery ChannelDiscovery ChannelDiscovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
's Smash LabSmash LabSmash Lab is a reality television series that premiered on December 26, 2007, on the Discovery Channel. The idea of the show is to take everyday technology and test it in "extraordinary ways."-Cast:...
is originally from Palm Bay - Xavier CarterXavier CarterXavier Carter is an American professional track and field athlete. He attended Louisiana State University and was a star on the track and field team as well a member of the football team. Prior to LSU, Xavier Carter graduated from Palm Bay Senior High School in Melbourne, FL...
, professional track athlete
- Dylan Aubrey Davis, Bayside Bears Graffiti Artist, Football Player, and outstanding musician.
- David GewirtzDavid GewirtzDavid Allen Gewirtz is an American journalist, author, and U.S. policy advisor who has written more than 900 articles about technology, competitiveness, and national security policy...
, CNN columnist, cyberterrorism advisor, presidential scholar. A book Gewirtz wrote while living in Palm Bay was a candidate for 2008 Pulitzer Prize in Letters. - Reggie NelsonReggie NelsonReggie Nelson is an American professional football player who is a safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League...
, Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
safety - Ezio FlagelloEzio FlagelloEzio Flagello was an Italian-American bass, particularly associated with the Italian repertory. He sang at the Metropolitan Opera from 1957 to 1984.- Career :...
, the Italian-American opera bass.
External links
- City of Palm Bay
- Palm Bay - Central Florida Community page - Palm Bay events
- Real estate statistics