Joyce D. Barton COMMISSIONER FOR MELBOURNE BEACH

During my tenure as your Vice Mayor of the Town of Melbourne, I worked in cooperation with other municipal leaders along the Space Coast to draft a list of priorities for our communities to take to our State Legislators in Tallahassee.  At that time in 2022, our top priorities were:

1. Short-term rentals

We met with Senators and House Representatives to ensure that local governments retain authority for the regulation of short-term rental properties as necessary for quality of life, public safety and fairness in the marketplace. The SCLOC unanimously OPPOSED legislation that would preempt local municipal authority.

2. State resources for flooding 

We encouraged the support to protect against weather-related issues.

3. Maintain State CST Revenues 

Communication Services Tax provide for essential municipal services.

4. Legislative action to address PFAS Awareness and funding for growing concerns of this contaminant in our soil and groundwater.

 I received the Home Rule Hero Award from the Florida League of Cities for being a champion in the defense and protection of municipal Home Rule. 

Thankfully, short-term rental regulation is still within municipal control and PFAS contamination is being addressed.

• Appointed to the Space Coast League of Cities as a voting delegate on the Board of Directors as well as the Chairperson for the newly formed Education Committee.
• Appointed by the President of the Florida League of Cities to serve on the Utilities, Natural Resources and Public Works Committee. 
• Served on the Governing Board of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization that works in cooperation with FDOT on local road projects
• Currently serving as the President of the South Brevard Garden Club Association that represents five garden clubs in the greater Melbourne area. My love for gardening and sustainable practices was showcased in my coordination of the native plant trail at Bicentennial Park on A1A.
  

First and foremost, I am a dedicated mother of three adult daughters and "glamma" to two precious grandkids. 

I believe that strong family connections are the cornerstone of a happy and fulfilling life. I was raised in Pennsylvania by my parents, Helen and Zigmund Barton. After graduation from high school I worked alongside my father in the various businesses he owned. Over the next 30 years, I helped him manage three restaurants, two mobile home parks and a car lot. Along the way, I also created my own catering business and wedding consultant service with my mother. Mixed in with all that, I was PTA President for several years while raising my three daughters with my husband, who is also a businessman. I helped him manage his swimming pool business for several years.

We were avid skiers, built our own home and traveled extensively. 

One of my sisters moved to Florida, which is what brought me here. We bought our house on 3rd Ave in 2004... the year of the three infamous hurricanes! We watched in horror from PA as the news showed people standing knee deep in water (in Melbourne) but our house never flooded. 

In 2011, I made our house in Florida my forever home.  

Even though many miles currently separate me from my family, the ties of love are inseparable. Two of my daughters live in California and one lives in Maine. My family enjoys visiting me at the "Beach House" ... my dad stayed with me for several months of the year until he died at age 100. Both of my parents and two of my sisters have passed and are deeply missed. My older sister, Carol, lives in Ligonier, Pennsylvania and is currently serving on Council in her Town. 

Ambition and service run in the family!

 I have decided to take on this role again to serve YOU, the residents of Melbourne Beach. I was elected as a Commissioner for the Town of Melbourne Beach in 2020 and 2022 and served as your Vice Mayor for a total of three years. I come to you now with NO PERSONAL AGENDA.

I voted YES for many positive changes in the Town, such as:

• Paid Parking in Ryckman Park and Ocean Park
• New Lights in Ryckman Park and on the Mel Beach Pier
• Orange St. swale project to mitigate flooding
• Turning Lane on Ocean & Oak
• Mural on Ocean Park Bathrooms
• Low-speed Vehicle Interlocal Agreement with Indialantic
• Decorative Street Poles
• Drown Zero with Rotary Club
• Stormwater repairs on Rosewood and Cherry
• Tennis Court Resurfacing and addition of Pickle Ball
• Free yoga, Thai Chi and Stretch classes in Ryckman Park
• Children's Business Fair
• Purchase Order New Fire Truck
• Purchase equipment for Public Works Department: Baffle Box Cleaner, Lift Truck, Lawn Mower for Parks & Sidewalk Set-backs
• In-house Grounds Keeper
• Beach Cross-over Improvements
• Swings at Ocean Park, Ryckman Park and Street Parks
• Volleyball Court Re-furbishment
• Restoring Dolphin Tree 
• Software Scan Town documents
• Resume Town Newsletter
• And much more!

Was against or voted NO for:

Skatepark in Ryckman

Electric Car Charging Station

Ocean Ave U-Turn Traffic Changes

Statue for City of Melbourne

Mangroves on scenic Riverside Dr.

Our Commission meetings were efficient and productive. I pledge to maintain a high level of integrity, respect and transparency within the Town.

YOU Deserve it!