Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina Releases January 2026 Mayor's Message

December was a month of successful Christmas activities in Palm Bay! From tree lightings to parades to breakfast with Santa, we had a busy month. A special thank you to everyone who joined us for the 17th Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza. This year's event was the largest and most memorable yet. Year after year, it brings our community together in a meaningful celebration of generosity and connection. Led by The House Church and supported by our local businesses and churches, this event continues to share joy and hope throughout Palm Bay. It is an honor to be part of something that has such a positive impact on our community. We look forward to seeing you again next year.

As we begin a new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the progress we have made together. Over the past year, Palm Bay continued to move forward, even in the face of challenges. We reached important milestones, hosted more community events than ever, launched new projects, and welcomed new businesses that strengthen our local economy. My commitment to you remains the same. I will continue working to lead this city with purpose and care as we build an even stronger, brighter future for Palm Bay in the year ahead.

We have big things happening in the new year! Keep an eye out on the City's social media pages for a ribbon-cutting date for the City's new Building E sometime in January! In the meantime, two City departments will soon be relocating to the new building. The Building Department will move into Building E on January 12, 2026, followed by Utilities Customer Service, which will relocate on January 20, 2026. These moves are part of the City's ongoing efforts to improve customer service and provide a modern, more accessible space for residents and businesses. There will be no downtime associated with either move, and all services will remain fully operational throughout the transition. Appointments, inspections, payments, and customer service will continue as scheduled without interruption.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on an issue that often goes unseen but affects communities everywhere, including here in Florida. Human trafficking is a serious crime that exploits vulnerable individuals and thrives in silence. Awareness is one of our strongest tools in stopping it.

The January Red Sand Event is part of the Red Sand Project, a national awareness campaign during Human Trafficking Prevention Month, where people pour red sand into sidewalk cracks to symbolize victims of human trafficking who slip through societal cracks, promoting education and action against exploitation. I invite you to join us on Thursday, January 8, from noon to 4:00 PM at Palm Bay City Hall to help us raise awareness.

I encourage our residents to learn the signs of human trafficking, speak up if something does not seem right, and support organizations that work every day to protect victims and survivors. Together, we can be a community that looks out for one another and stands firm against exploitation in all its forms.

In closing, I want to remind everyone to save the date of April 18, 2026, for the annual Mayor's Ball charity fundraiser. As Mayor of the greatest city on the face of the Earth, I feel it is my duty to give back to the community, and I have chosen a very special recipient: Essential Pregnancy Center.

Founded on compassion, privacy, and respect, Essential Pregnancy Center is a nonprofit community service organization based in Palm Bay that provides free and confidential pregnancy services to women and families. Their mission is to offer care, education, and support to those experiencing unplanned pregnancies or healing from past experiences, while promoting dignity, hope, and informed decision-making.

Under the guidance of a licensed physician and certified OB sonographer, Essential Pregnancy Center provides a range of no-cost services, including pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, options education, virtual parenting/life lessons, and post-abortion healing. The center is staffed by five team members, including three registered nurses, one OB registered diagnostic medical sonographer, and one client services director. Additionally, services are provided by over a dozen dedicated volunteers, seven of whom are also registered nurses. A significant portion of donations goes directly toward supporting client services.

Essential Pregnancy Center is committed to serving all clients with kindness and confidentiality, regardless of background or circumstance. The organization strives to empower individuals through accurate information, compassionate care, and a message of hope.

The Mayor's Ball has a long history of championing local causes. Past beneficiaries have included Serene Harbor, Space Coast Discovery, and Sacrifice Park, a project that holds special meaning for the Palm Bay community. Donations from the Mayor's Ball led the way in making improvements to Sacrifice Park possible, honoring the memory of fallen heroes and creating a space of reflection and remembrance.

For more information about Essential Pregnancy Center, visit brevardepc.com for client services and supportbrevardepc.com for donors and supporters.

Tickets and sponsorship information are available now at palmbayfl.gov/mayorsball or by emailing [email protected].