Commissioner's Corner: Skip Williams

COVID-19: For some of our residents and businesses times are really tough! Jobs were forced to be lost while essential staples were still required, rents and mortgages were still due and unemployment benefits, if you are eligible, don’t fill the gap.

Some people are able to telework and still receive a paycheck, but with schools closed and the mandate to home school, attention spans are divided and you end up spending up to twelve hours a day trying to do both.
   
Some people are doing the authorized “essential work”. We solute all of them! Many of us deem our occupations as essential work too! The day is coming when work restrictions are somewhat diminished so more of us can go back to our work. Please be patient as we need to follow our U.S. Government, State, County and City guidelines.
   
 I applaud all of you who wholeheartedly supported the past City sponsored Food Drive. For those of us unaffected by the financial stress of COVID-19, I encourage you to ponder and think of how Blessed you are and consider any way you can contribute or support the efforts of so many to try to make this uncertain life period more bearable for our citizens and businesses that have been so impacted, not only economically but mentally.
    
 Be assured your city is already accounting for and anticipating a substantial loss of revenue income. Our hurricane reserves may have to be used to not force a property tax increase to make up our fiscal year shortfall. If you’re a praying person, please pray for all of us as a city in whole and especially that we’re spared any hurricanes for the next few years until we can replenish our reserves.
     Please email me at skip.williams@cityofcocoabeach.com or call me at home 321-783-1850 with any questions or concerns.