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When new residents move to Brevard County, there are many
things they need to know about their new hometowns. Some of that information
follows:
ELECTRICITY
Florida Power & Light Co., which serves all of
Brevard, requires a deposit that varies according to a customer's credit
rating.. An initial
service charge is included on the first bill. A certificate of occupancy
following an electrical inspection is required for first service for a new
home. To receive FPL
service, call 321-723-7795 anytime or go to www.fpl.com..
GAS
Florida City Gas supplies natural gas to most of Brevard. The company
requires a meter deposit that varies according to the amount of monthly gas
usage. The meter deposit is refunded with interest after 23 months to
customers with good payment records. A $30 startup fee is
required. To begin gas service, call 800-993-7546. For new homes
call 321-631-1734. For further details, visit www.floridacitygas.com.
TELEPHONE
For information about receiving phone service in Brevard,
contact Bell South at 888-757-6500.
WATER
Melbourne supplies water to its residents and those of
Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach,
Melbourne Village and parts of West Melbourne. Residents wanting service
must go to Melbourne City Hall, 900 F. Strawbridge Ave., between 8:30 a.m.
and 5 p.m. weekdays; 321-727-2900.
Suntree and Viera water is supplied by the City of Cocoa.
Residents are required to apply in person at City Hall, 603 Brevard Avenue
in Cocoa Village. For more information call 321-639-7500.
AUTOMOBILE TAGS
New residents must apply for Florida tags and car titles
within 10 days after they begin working, apply for a homestead tax
exemption, enroll children in school or register to vote. Proof of insurance
also is required before tags can be issued. Tags are available at the
following locations:
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South Brevard Service Complex, 1515 Sarno Road,
Melbourne; 321-255-4410
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Rockledge Square Shopping Center, 1840 S. U.S. 1,
Rockledge; 321-633-1897
DRIVER'S LICENSES
Florida driver's licenses must be obtained within 30 days
of gaining employment, establishing residence, claiming a homestead
exemption, registering to vote or registering a child in the public school
system.
New residents who have a valid out-of-state license will
be required to only take the visual examination. They will be required to
present a Florida registration for any vehicles they own. An out-of-state
driver's license with photo and another legal document showing date of
birth-such as a passport, birth certificate, marriage license or social
security card-must be presented. The licenses cost $20 and are valid for six
years.
To obtain a driver's license for the first time, you must
be 15 or older, pay $20 and present one of the following legal documents:
social security card, FSE-570 form from school, birth certificate or a
notarized signature from parent or legal guardian. You also must take
written, vision, hearing and driving examinations and pass a four-hour
course on traffic laws and substance abuse. First time drivers receive a
license valid for four years.
Driver's licenses may be obtained between 7 a.m. and 6
p.m. at the Florida Division of Driver's Licenses offices in Brevard County.
For the nearest location call: North Melbourne 321-255-2228, Melbourne 321-984-4930.
HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION
Brevard residents may apply for homestead tax exemptions
January through March 1. To do so, they need the following documents: a deed
or tax bill, a Florida driver's license, a Florida vehicle registration and
a voter registration card or proof of home address. For information:
Melbourne 321-255-4440, Viera 321-690-6880, Merritt Island 321-455-1444.
VOTER REGISTRATION
To register for the first time in
Brevard County, a person must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age and a
permanent resident of Brevard County. Anyone wishing to register must
present proof of residency, such as a Florida driver's license or ID card,
or two utilities receipts. For information: Supervisor of Elections 321-255-4455, Government Center
321-633-2124.
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