Cocoa is an independent city of over 16,400 residents and is located approximately 50 miles east of Orlando. Unlike many Florida communities with a high concentration of seniors, Cocoa's largest age group is in the 20-44 age range.

Cocoa's land area of 8.3 square miles encompasses 8,248 dwelling units. Because of its central location in the County, it has developed a wide-range of housing, commercial, industrial and institutional development over the years, including Brevard Community College and the University of Central Florida's Cocoa Campus.

The City of Cocoa operates a water utility system that covers the entire central part of Brevard County from Port St. John on the north to Suntree on the south. The system services over 68,000 households and distributes an average of 28 million gallons of water daily. The City is taking a progressive economic position in Brevard County, welcoming new business and industry into the community and promoting the development of new quality housing for its residents.

The mission of Cocoa's government is to provide community supported services and programs designed to assure the safety and well being of all Cocoa's residents and businesses.

The City of Cocoa has a Council/Manager form of government. This means that elected officials make policy decisions, and the staff, led by the City Manager, implements them. The Cocoa City Council has established a vision, values and goals for city government in Cocoa.

Vision Statement:

Cocoa, "the City of Community, Culture and Commerce," is the most livable of Florida cities; the focus of culture, commerce and tourist activity in east-central Florida. A city where:

All residents have the opportunity to participate in community decisions.

A vibrant, diversified economic environment is promoted.

Proactive, responsive, efficient and accountable government services are provided for all the people.

A healthy ecological environment is promoted.

Quality education is promoted.

A safe community is maintained.

Intergovernmental cooperation is promoted.

Values:

We demand the highest standards of professional ethics and accept responsibility for our own actions.

We serve the residents of Cocoa and empower our employees to provide a responsive and courteous delivery system.

We ensure an environment for input to decision making and employee participation in organizational problem solving.

We value each individual contribution, which furthers the mission of the organization.

We value a diverse citizenry and workforce, and show respect to all individuals without reference to ethnicity, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or family status.

Goals:

Finances: Develop to the fullest potential financial images.

Safety: Promote the safety of the community and a feeling of security among citizens and visitors.

Infrastructure: Plan and assure infrastructure reliability and regulatory compliance.

Redevelopment: Revitalize downtown COcoa as the economic, civic and cultural center of the community. Revitalize Diamond Square and US 1 as viable economic communities with emphasis on its commercial corridors.

Efficiency and Effectiveness: Provide for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in delivery of cityserv.

Customer Service: Provide responsive customer service and fair and open public processes.

Communication: Promote confidence in the expenditure of public funds by informing, educating, and involving citizens.

Leadership: Serve as a leader to promote regional action to ensure effective, efficient and equitable delivery of services for the residents of Cocoa.

Environment: Plan growth, which is sensitive to the environment and recognizes significant community images.

Economic Development: Encourage a diversified economic base, which provides for long-term economic health and quality of life.