Karl Baumann

Building Official

Rockledge Building Department

Meet Karl, the City's Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2024! Karl has served as Building Official with the City of Rockledge for 15 months, but he possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field. He's spent the last 40 years in the construction industry as a site superintendent, project manager, logistics manager, and safety officer for various contractors. Karl has been licensed as a Building Official for 10 years, and prior to his employment with Rockledge, Karl spent 9 years with the City of Satellite Beach.

Karl enjoys working with his fellow employees and meeting Rockledge residents. When he's not on the clock, Karl loves to play golf despite those times when the game doesn't love him back. He has also played in a cornhole league for 5 years.

Karl hopes to emphasize the importance of proper permitting because if a permit is required for your project, obtaining the required permit provides value by assuring that the various requirements are met. Through the application process, the contractor is vetted in terms of verifying that the license and insurance is valid and up to date. The review process verifies that the proposed work adheres to the Building Code through project approval data and the methodology that is proposed. Inspections help to ensure that the work was completed according to the application and Building Code, which emphasizes safe construction and gives piece of mind to the consumer.

If you see Karl around town or performing an inspection at your residence, be sure to say hi and congratulate him on being selected as Employee of the Quarter!

Are you in search of a rewarding career in the field of public service? Do you love the Rockledge community so much that it could be a full time job? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you!

The City of Rockledge offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time employees, including paid vacation time, paid holidays, and paid sick leave as well as other types of leave (bereavement, jury duty). Additionally, employees receive a full suite of health, dental, and vision insurance offerings, along with longevity pay and a pension plan (non-FRS). Certain positions are eligible for boot/uniform allowances, education incentives, and more!

Check out the latest job opportunities

Download an employment application

The City of Rockledge and Brevard County continue to experience significant growth. With increased growth comes increased traffic congestion. The City wants all who travel our roadways to be safe. So far, in 2024, the Police Department has responded to 201 vehicle crashes, three of which involved pedestrians being struck, resulting in death or serious injury. Rockledge Police Officers have and will continue to conduct traffic enforcement and education, so far stopping 1,438 vehicles, but the officers can't do it alone. Please remember to slow down, give yourself extra time to reach your destination, be aware at pedestrian crossings, and obey all traffic laws.

The City of Rockledge, in partnership with Keep Brevard Beautiful, hosted our annual Trash Bash event on Saturday, April 6th. We would like to thank every person who came to participate in this incredibly successful morning! It was only through the work of our amazing volunteers that we removed over 85 bags of trash from our local parks, sidewalks, and roadways! Each bag removed is one less bag that finds its way into our waterways and storm drains. Preventing any and all types of illicit discharge and improper disposal of trash is the best way to ensure the health and safety of our parks, waterways, and ecosystems. If you want to know more about how you can play a part in keeping Rockledge clean and free of pollution, keep an eye out for any instances of illicit discharge or illegal connections to our stormwater systems. If you see something suspicious, please contact the Public Works Department at 321-221-7540, option 9. Thank you for taking part in protecting our waterways!

Smoke detectors save lives - this is certain. And they are actually pretty simple. When smoke interrupts the flow of electricity between two plates inside of the detector, the alarm sounds. They are remarkably sensitive, and when placed in the right location and properly maintained, they can be counted on to alert you if smoke is present.

Where should they be located?

Depending on the size of your home, it’s never a bad idea to have two or three detectors strategically located. One near the kitchen and another in the hallway towards the bedroom area will ensure that you and your family are safe. They should be placed high because smoke and heat always rises, and this will position the detectors in the best place to allow them to alert you early in the situation. It is also not unusual to place one in a garage just in case.

What about maintenance?

Modern smoke detectors have sealed batteries that are designed to last 10 years. They will “chirp” when the battery begins to get low and it’s time to replace the detector. They are lightweight and don’t require a lot of maintenance; just make sure that they are free of dust now and then, and they will work just as designed.

Can they do anything else?

Some models not only detect smoke but are also capable of monitoring your home for carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that is odorless, colorless and otherwise non-detectable. It’s up to you to decide which model will fit your needs.

What else can I do to keep myself and my family safe?

Have a plan. Know how to get out and pre-plan a place to meet. Once you are outside, stay outside – DO NOT GO BACK IN! And remember – the smoke detector is there to warn you – but it will not call the Fire Department for you. 

Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual City of Rockledge Rocktober 5K! All ages and fitness levels are invited to run/walk - the race course starts at the Civic Hub and will travel around the Don Griffin Trail at Lake Betsi before returning to the Hub, where awards will be presented immediately following the race. Snacks and drinks will be provided!

For more information and to register, just scan the QR code or visit our race website.

Proceeds will benefit Andersen Elementary School for recreational improvements.

May 2024

• May 1, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - City Council
• May 7, 2024 - 10:30 a.m. - Student Advisory Committee
• May 7, 2024 - 3:00 p.m. - Parking Board
• May 7, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - Planning Commission CANCELED
• May 9, 2024 - 4:30 p.m. - Code Enforcement Board
• May 15, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - City Council
• May 17, 2024 - 9:00 a.m. - Fire, General, and Police Employees' Retirement Boards Joint Meeting
• May 21, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - Board of Adjustment
• May 22, 2024 - 5:30 p.m. - Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners

June 2024

• June 4, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - Planning Commission
• June 5, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - City Council
• June 12, 2024 - 5:30 p.m. - Council Finance & Budget Committee
• June 13, 2024 - 4:30 p.m. - Code Enforcement Board
• June 13, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - The Rockledge Environmental Enhancement (TREE) Board
• June 18, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - Board of Adjustment
• June 19, 2024 - 4:00 p.m. - Council Finance & Budget Committee
• June 19, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - City Council
• June 26, 2024 - 5:30 p.m. - Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners

*Visit www.cityofrockledge.org for updates/cancelations*

**Unless otherwise specified, meetings are held in the Council Chamber at Rockledge City Hall, 1600 Huntington Lane**

Trash and recycling carts must be curbside by 7:00 a.m.

In accordance with City Ordinance #989-91 and Section 57.63(b) of the City's Land Development Regulations, all carts need to be curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your designated pickup days. Our Sanitation crews begin promptly at 7:00 a.m., and while you may be used to them in your neighborhood at the same time of day on your pickup days, various factors may affect route times which may adjust the time that a crew travels through your neighborhood. 

Place yard waste and special pickup piles in-between the sidewalk and roadway.

When placing your yard waste or special pickup piles curbside for pickup, please make sure you do not place them on sidewalks or in the roadways, as this poses a serious safety hazard. Place items in-between the sidewalk and the roadway. Piles placed in-between the sidewalk and the home is considered private property, and we cannot retrieve items from private property. For areas that do not have a sidewalk, placing your pile next to the roadway (but not in the roadway) is perfectly acceptable.  

Animal waste should be properly bagged before disposing of it in the cart.

Please remember to bag up animal feces and/or cat litter before throwing it in the garbage can/cart. Residents are responsible for keeping their City issued carts clean and making sure all garbage being placed in your garbage container is bagged, which will help keep the cart cleaner. Our carts do hold up to pressure washing or cleaning with bleach. Garbage bins and recycle carts are assigned to the specific address. If you move or sell your property, the carts are to remain at the home for the next owner/tenant.  

Contractors must remove the debris that they create.

Contractors that perform work on homes, tree trimming services or tree removal services are responsible for removing any debris that they create. If a contractor is seen trimming or removing trees, there could be a charged assessed to the homeowner for removal of those pile(s) if left behind by the contractor. 

Alligators can be found in all 67 Florida counties.

Per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), alligators have inhabited Florida’s marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries. Tremendous human population growth, with many residents seeking waterfront homes and increasing participation in water-related activities, can result in more frequent alligator-human interactions and greater potential for conflict. Many Florida residents have learned to coexist with alligators, but the potential for conflict always exists. Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, but if you are concerned about an alligator, call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286. The FWC will dispatch one of its contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation. Remember, never feed an alligator, and keep your distance if you see one. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours, and keep your pets on a leash and away from the water.   

Helpful links from FWC about living with alligators:

Living with Alligators and Crocodiles

A Guide to Living with Alligators

Living with Alligators

Coexisting with Alligators

Safety Tips for People and Pets

Do Not Feed Alligators sign (printable)

Be Alert sign (printable)

There are a number of development projects in progress in Rockledge. These projects include a combination of single family homes, multi-family homes, and commercial development.

There are several retail and commercial developments within the city that are in the plan review process. These projects are intended to revitalize the areas and generate revenue and jobs within the city.

Issue 2024-05