01
Your septic bill
Your septic bill is coming. Where is the help?
State law now requires about 28,000 Indian River County properties in the Lagoon watershed to connect to sewer or install an advanced septic system by July 1, 2030. Depending on the home, that runs from $5,000 to $25,000 or more.1,2
Next door, Brevard County gives homeowners at least $6,000 apiece for Lagoon-area septic upgrades. Indian River County has no program like it.3,1
In December 2023, Vero Beach's water and sewer director said the city would seek a state appropriation for its new wastewater plant and had already discussed it with Brackett.5 The state money that came arrived through agency grant programs, and by 2026 the city was asking Congress for earmarks instead.6,7
Of the 13 budget requests Brackett filed for 2024, the ones that made the news were a $3 million boat ramp, a $2 million jetty project, and baffle boxes in Palm Bay.4
Ask Robbie Brackett what he has asked Tallahassee to do about your septic bill. Jordyn will make that request on day one.
02
Your wallet
His waterfront project. Your water bill.
As Mayor, Brackett backed Three Corners, the redevelopment of the old power plant site on the Lagoon.25,30 Moving the city's wastewater plant off that land is what makes the project possible.8,9
The new plant was first approved at $82 million. By 2025 the total had more than doubled to $178 million.8,9,10
To pay for it, the city passed water and sewer increases of 15%, 18%, and 18%. The average monthly bill climbed from $51 to about $83, and another 47% in increases is already approved through 2029.8,11
He sold the waterfront dream. You pay for it every month.
03
Self-dealing
A landlord voting on his own tax bill.
Brackett's own sworn financial disclosure lists 139 real estate parcels held by his family's companies, including 71 in one family partnership and commercial buildings in downtown Vero Beach.12,13
In 2020, Vero Beach proposed a stormwater fee to pay for Lagoon cleanup, with about two-thirds of it falling on commercial and other non-residential property. Brackett was one of two council members to vote no.14,15
"I've talked to business owners and they're scared to death of this."Robbie Brackett, December 202014
In 2022, the council cut the fee from $75 a year to about $7 for the average homeowner. Brackett voted yes: "I don't like it, but it's better than the alternative."16
A commercial landlord voted against the Lagoon fee his own buildings would have helped pay, then backed cutting it to pocket change.
04
Your rent
A landlord voted to wipe out local tenant protections.
"Big home-rule fan."Robbie Brackett, describing himself, August 202117
In 2023 Brackett voted for HB 1417. It took the power to set landlord and tenant rules away from cities and counties and gave it to Tallahassee. The Senate's own staff said it makes every local tenant ordinance in Florida "null and void."18,19
That erased local tenant "bills of rights" in places like Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, covering things like notice of rent increases and fees. The bill's own sponsor counted 46 local ordinances on the books.20,21
It passed the House 81 to 33. Brackett voted yes.22
He calls himself a home-rule fan. Then he voted to take away your town's power to protect renters.
05
Your vote
He voted to sue his own citizens over a ballot question.
In 2022, Vero Beach residents gathered enough signatures to put limits on waterfront development, including the city marina, to a public vote. As Mayor, Brackett warned it could "derail the Three Corners project."25
The council voted to sue the citizens' group to get the measure off the ballot. Brackett voted yes: "I hate this, but it's something that needs to be done."25,26
Same project that raised your water bill. When citizens asked for a say, the city took them to court, with his vote.
06
Follow the money
Real estate money in. Weaker local rules out.
The Florida Realtors PAC endorsed Brackett for 2026. The Treasure Coast Builders Association endorsed him in 2022.27,28,29
Florida Realtors called HB 1417 one of its legislative priorities, and the Florida Apartment Association listed it as one of its own. Brackett voted for it.23,24,22
The real estate industry backs him. He backed the real estate industry's bill.
