May 2026 Newsletter

Meet your city council members

MAY EVENT CALANDER

Get Emergency Ready!

National Day of Prayer at City Hall Courtyard

May 8 | 5:30-8 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Concert in the Park at Riverview Park

May 9 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Craft Club of Sebastian at Riverview Park

May 25 | All day

Memorial Day Holiday – City Hall Closed

May 25 | 11 a.m.

Memorial Day Observance at Riverview Park at Veterans Memorial

Stay informed and stay safe by signing up for emergency alert notifications from the City of Sebastian. You’ll receive important, time‐sensitive updates directly from your city and local public safety agencies, such as, severe weather warnings, evacuation notices, public safety alerts and more. Registration is quick, easy, and free. You can also choose how you want to receive alerts. Don’t wait until it’s too late; be the first to know when it matters most. Sign up today by scanning the QR code or clicking here.

CLERK’S CORNER

Help Shape the

Future of Your City by Serving on a Board

r city beyond elected officials?

The answer is municipal board members dedicated residents working behind the scenes to help guide important decisions that impact the community every day. Serving on a city board is an opportunity to have a real voice in decisions related to growth, safety, parks, zoning, public services, and overall quality of life. Board members bring fresh perspectives and ideas while helping ensure the community continues to thrive.

Joining a board is also a great way to get involved in local government without running for office no campaign signs required. Along the way, members gain a deeper understanding of how the city operates and have the opportunity to work alongside fellow residents, city staff, and community leaders.

Beyond serving the community, there are personal benefits as well. Board members develop valuable leadership skills, gain hands-on experience in civic engagement, and enjoy the satisfaction of helping shape meaningful decisions for the future of the city.

In short, municipal boards are where engaged citizens become community change makers. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “Someone should really do something about that,” this may be your opportunity to step up and make a difference.

NOV 2023

ISSUE NO 6

Applications are available in the City Clerk’s office, at City Hall, 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or at www.cityofsebastian.org and will be accepted until May 15, 2026.

AY2023-24

CLERK’S CORNER

MAY BOARD MEETINGS

May 4 | 3pm

Veterans Advisory Board Meeting in Council Chambers

May 4 | 6pm

Budget Advisory Board Meeting in Council Chambers

May 8 | 9:30am

Indian River Lagoon Council Meeting in Council Chambers

May 12 | 6pm

Charter Review Committee Meeting in Council Chambers

May 18 | 6pm

Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting in Council Chambers

May 19 | 2pm Special Magistrate Code Enforcement Hearings in Council Chambers

May 26 | 6pm

Regular City Council w/CRA Meeting in Council Chambers

SEBASTIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Announces His Retirement from Sebastian Police Department

Chief Acosta began his law enforcement career in 1995 and joined the Sebastian Police Department in 1999, beginning more than two decades of dedicated service to our community. Throughout his career, he served in a variety of leadership and operational roles. In addition to his years of service, Chief Acosta pursued extensive education and professional training, earning degrees in Criminal Justice, Administration, and Public Administration, while also completing prestigious leadership programs through the Southern Police Institute and the FBI National Command Course. Known for his integrity, compassion, and commitment to public service, Chief Acosta has made a lasting impact on the department and the City of Sebastian. His leadership has helped strengthen the organization and the community he has proudly served. Following his retirement as Chief of Police in June, Chief Acosta will continue serving the city as Director of Human Resources and Risk Management. We thank him for his years of dedicated service and look forward to all he will accomplish in this new role.

SEBASTIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Happening this Month

May 4-8 | RAD Kids Class at IRCSO

May 10-16 | National Police Week

May 13 | COPE Unit at Sebastian Exchange Club

May 15 | National Police Officers Memorial Day

May 18 | Coffee with a Cop - See flyer for details

May 29-30 | Sebastian Exchange Club Blue Water Open

City Hosts Take Your Kid to Work Day

The City of Sebastian welcomed children of employees for National Take Your Kid to Work Day on Thursday, April 23. The City appreciates all departments and staff members who helped make the day educational, engaging, and memorable for the children and families who participated. We look forward to making this an annual event for our staff and their children!

Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration

Parks and Recreation partnered with the Natural Resources Board to help make this year’s Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration bigger and better than before!

Recreational Classes and Programs

Discover all that we have to offer!

From fitness classes and senior citizen activities to youth leagues and more, there are programs available for residents of all ages and interests. Click here to learn more!

BUILDING DEPARTMENT

Building Permits Issued

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration 2026 Recap

Every year, the City of Sebastian’s Natural Resources Board (NRB) is joined by numerous environmental organizations, nonprofits, and businesses for the annual Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration at Riverview Park. This year, the celebration took place ahead of the Earth Day and Arbor Day holidays and offered attendees an opportunity to connect with nature and learn about current projects throughout our region aimed at helping protect our paradise. Hundreds of people came out to listen to Mondo Tikis rock, shop for plants, and enjoy the perfect weather!

During the celebration, the NRB and our partners selected the Poster Contest winners from 39 entries submitted by students at Sebastian Charter Junior High School. The winners will be highlighted during the next NRB meeting on May 5. Staff also unveiled the first GIS Story Map for Sustainable Sebastian, created by a GIS intern and volunteer, to provide an interactive way for people to learn about the initiative and the many projects the NRB has been involved in.

With more than 80 vendors, the celebration is a true reminder of how passionate this community is about the environment and what we can accomplish when we connect with one another. This event continues to grow and evolve each year, and we look forward to planning another engaging celebration of our home here on Earth and all it has to offer!

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Recycle Right Workshop

The City of Sebastian Natural Resources Board, in partnership with the Indian River County Solid Waste Disposal District and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, will host a public recycling workshop on May 5, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the Sebastian City Hall Council Chambers. Attendees will learn about proper recycling practices, local recycling programs, and what happens to recyclables after they are collected. The workshop will also include a question-and-answer session and is part of an ongoing effort to educate residents and businesses about the importance of recycling and sustainability in Indian River County.

PUBLIC WORKS

NationalPublicWorksWeekisMay17–23,2026.Weextend oursincereappreciationtoourPublicWorkscrewfortheir dedicatedserviceandcontinuedcommitmenttoourcity.

DidYouKnow?

The City of Sebastian has a citizen request line and online request center. 772-581-0111

Citizen Request Center

We have a database of interactive maps available online, created by our GIS Technician. We offer maps showing active roadwork, paving schedules, virtual history tours, and more. Check out our maps by clicking here.

ROADWAY UPDATES

Phase 4 road work including milling, resurfacing, and full roadway reconstruction has been completed for this fiscal year.

Crews continue to address potholes and roadway approaches and edges throughout the city.

Citywide roadway line painting and striping began in April and will continue through June.

STORMWATER UPDATES

Ditch regrading has been completed on South Wimbrow Drive and continues throughout the city.

The Riviera and Gardenia ditch project has commenced and is approximately 40% complete. Ditch dredging continues citywide, and the Stormwater Division has cleared a five-year backlog within the last 12 months, improving drainage throughout the city.

The historic flooding issue on Dempsey Street has been resolved following the removal of a blockage in the drainage pipe.

HUMAN RESOURCES

JOIN OUR TEAM

We are currently hiring for the following positions: Police Officer

911 Emergency Dispatcher

The City offers a competitive benefits package including: Pension through the City of Sebastian and Police Officer Pension Plans Sick, Vacation, Personal and Holiday Pay Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Affordable health, dental, and vision care

For more information on our benefits plan, click here. Apply today click here or scan the qr code!

Current Bids

We are accepting bids for the solicitations below. If your business is interested in submitting a bid, make sure you are registered with Euna Procurement. All bid documents are posted on Sebastian's Euna Portal

CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program for One (1) Single-Family Home Unit

Upcoming Solicitations

Below is a list of bids the City anticipates issuing this fiscal year. If your business is interested in bidding, ensure you are registered with Euna Procurement. All bid documents are posted on Sebastian's Euna Portal

Continuing Engineering Services for the Sebastian Municipal Airport | May 2026

Citywide Janitorial Services | May 2026

Citywide Fire Alarm Inspections and Monitoring | June 2026

Citywide Fire Sprinkler and Backflow Inspections | June 2026

If you have any questions about the procurement process or submitting a bid, please contact our Procurement Manager, Jessica Graham, CPPB, FCCM, at procurement@cityofsebastian.org or 772-388-8231.

SEBASTIAN GOLF COURSE

Upcoming Events

Join the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce for the 35th Annual Pelican Cup Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 2, at the Sebastian Municipal Golf Course.

Summer Junior Golf Programs

Please check with the Sebastian Golf Shop after mid-May for information about summer junior golf clinics and activities. You may also visit the Indian River Golf Foundation at irgf.org for additional information about summer junior golf opportunities.

April 2026 Rounds

The Sebastian Municipal Golf Course recorded 5,380 rounds in April, generating $197,213.

SEBASTIAN GOLF COURSE

May Greens Aerification: Schedule and Information

To maintain lity, the golf course will un g g y hedule below and plan accordingly.

Aerification Schedule

May 11 & May 12 | Front nine closed; back nine open. 18-hole play will consist of playing the back nine twice.

May 13 & May 14 | Back nine closed; front nine open. 18-hole play will consist of playing the front nine twice.

May 15 | Aerification completed; the entire golf course will reopen.

What Does Aerification Do?

Aerification provides several important benefits for course conditions and turf health: Relieves soil compaction

Improves drainage

Helps control insect populations

Reduces grain and thatch

Although the aerification process can leave greens temporarily rough for approximately 10–12 days, the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term disruption. Healthier turf, improved playability, and stronger growing conditions all result from this important maintenance practice. As one golf course superintendent once said, “You have to break a few eggs to bake a delicious cake!” During the nine-hole-only days, the golf maintenance staff will also aerify fairways and tees.

Hurricane Prep Underway at Sebastian Airport

In anticipation of the coming hurricane season, Sebastian Municipal Airport has already begun preparing for its various roles in assisting the city and surrounding areas. We recently met with officials from FPL to review prior mobilizations hosted by the airport for their hurricane response teams. Recent storm responses include Ian and Nicole in 2022, and Milton in 2024. During the Milton response, the airport accommodated over 1,000 workers for power restoration and repairs (see photo). These crews not only handled Sebastian, but were also dispatched to Vero Beach for tornado damage and as far north as Melbourne, where the eye of the storm passed all from their base at our airport. Once power is restored and the FPL teams break camp and move on, the City’s debris-removal process begins. This work uses pre-selected, state-approved sites on the airport to gather and process different types of storm debris from all over the city. Pre-selected contractors, under agreements with the City of Sebastian, track every truckload and ton of material through the airport sites to ensure everything is handled in accordance with state and federal guidelines for proper disposal.

Taxiway Golf Project Complete

The Taxiway Golf project is now complete, with asphalt, markings, and sod finished. The project included approximately 2,200 feet of new pavement and an additional 500-foot area to stabilize the old surface and protect the new taxiway from wind, sand, and runoff. Aircraft began using the new taxiway on April 15, providing a shorter ground route from the northwest portion of the airfield to the two runways.