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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Board of County Commissioners, District 1

Brevard County has a Commission-Manager form of government. The Board of Commissioners is the governing body and holds all legislative powers. There are five members representing each of the Districts in the county, elected by eligible voters of the county. Each must be qualified voters and continuously reside in the District they represent. The Board is empowered to create ordinances, enter into contracts and issue bonds to finance public projects. The Board of Commissioners are responsible for adopting the county Budget, determining county Property Taxes, and regulating Planning, Zoning, and Land Development, Health and Safety Services, Parks and Recreation, Solid Waste Management, Utilities, Housing and Human Services and more in accordance with the county Charter. The Board of Commissioners appoints and oversees the City Manager, who serves as chief administrative officer and executive officer of the county. The Board also appoints and oversees the County Attorney. The Board of Commissioners usually meets every two weeks and meetings are televised on educational access television.Term: 4 years, no more than 2 consecutive termsSalary: $60,273

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    Aldon Bookhardt
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

Do you support or oppose Redevelopment Agencies and Economic Development Zones/ Districts? Why? (500 characters)

How will you promote improvements and work to balance the interests of full-time residents and the interests of vacation-rental owners? (400 Characters)

What is your position on current funding and partnerships between the County and non-profit organizations (like senior programs, local food assistance programs)? Please give examples. (750 characters)

Citizens are concerned with needs to enhance Brevard's Sanitary Sewer, Roads and other critical infrastructure, especially with current rates of business and housing development. Do you support or oppose an increase in new development impact fees? Why? (600 characters)

New legislation provides "local governments the authority to reject or approve data center development in their communities, prevents data center costs from being passed on to consumers, including electricity costs, and protects Florida’s water resources from data center consumption.” Do you approve or oppose new intense aerospace manufacturing/ production facilities or data centers in Brevard County? Why? (600 characters)

There have been no significant tax increases for several years, now. What steps will you take to promote a good quality of life for residents during current population growth rates, if no taxes are raised and reduced county revenues are expected in the future? (700 characters)

Professional Experience I bring over 25 years of real-world experience as a federal contractor and small business owner. I own Bookhardt Roofing, Inc., which has worked with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other federal agencies completing hundreds of contracts. I know how to navigate government systems, manage budgets, and deliver results on time. I also co-own Tootie's Grocery in East Mims, a community market that brought fresh food to a food desert, created jobs, and sparked neighborhood revitalization. That same practical, get it-done approach is what I'll bring to the County Commission
Public Service My public service hasn't come through any organization it's come from the heart, within my family. For the last six years, we've been feeding our community on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and whenever we see a need. We've also provided gas to many neighbors in need. We do this without fanfare because it's not about recognition it's about community. That's the kind of service I'll bring to the Commission action, not applause.
Education Florida Licensed Roofing Contractor- Florida DBPR Florida Licensed General Contractor- Florida DBPR Arizona State University Best Value Performance Information Procurement System Florida A & M University Construction Management Development Program
Campaign Website http://voteabookhardt.com
Campaign Phone 321-360-9377
Campaign Mailing Address 2476 Harry T Moore Ave Mims, Florida 32754
Yes-I support redevelopment tools because revitalizing struggling neighborhoods matters. However, not in their current form the risks are too great. Over the years, funding has not gone toward affordable housing or eliminating blight. If elected, I will push for rigorous, regular reviews of all county agencies and zones to prove they are delivering tangible results for our community, not siphoning tax dollars from critical needs like fire-rescue and infrastructure.
I support smart, enforceable regulations that protect neighborhoods without unfairly penalizing responsible rental owners. This includes fair, tiered fees like Cocoa Beach's model to fund enforcement. I support clear occupancy and parking limits. I also support strict enforcement with a 24/7 local contact for each rental, capable of responding within an hour, plus regular public reporting.
I'm for it, Non-profits fill critical gaps that county government cannot always address alone. Organizations like Aging Matters in Brevard provide Meals on Wheels, respite care, and companion support to seniors who would otherwise go without food or social contact . Brevard County Legal Aid receives federal VOCA grants to provide legal assistance to crime victims . These services directly support the county's most vulnerable residents.
Yes, I support increasing development impact fees to ensure growth pays its fair share for the infrastructure it demands . Brevard faces a $2 billion+ infrastructure shortfall for roads and flooding fixes , and impact fees haven't been updated in decades . However, we must proceed carefully state law limits how fast fees can rise.

I oppose new aerospace manufacturing and data centers in Brevard County. Aerospace and data centers consume too much water, land, and power for too few jobs. Data centers alone threaten our water supply and electricity grid. I support our county's denial of tax breaks for AI data centers. I will oppose any data center or intense aerospace project until our infrastructure roads, water, and energy can handle the strain without harming residents
To promote quality of life without raising taxes, I will focus on smarter spending and alternative funding. We must prioritize core services like public safety and infrastructure—the FY 2025-26 budget cut $13 million in parks and roads to fund firefighter raises. While public safety is critical, we cannot keep robbing parks. I support Low Impact Development to reduce costs and protect the lagoon. We must pursue state and federal grants aggressively and explore public-private partnerships. Finally, I will push for regular, transparent reviews of all county agencies to ensure every tax dollar delivers measurable results.