[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6179804,"mediaKeyId","5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b","parentId",5123339,"title","Punta Gorda sets rollback millage rate for 2025 TRIM notice, council to revisit in September","audioSeconds",1357,"startMs",8739000,"endMs",10096000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b&start=8739&end=10096","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b/thumbnail_8739000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179804/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-sets-rollback-millage-rate-for-2025-TRIM-notice-council-to-revisit-in-September","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179804-97c11319ed587690d7511f96d0e0944a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200402&Signature=i5B9NT8i7HqladnJLFUuhRCekuayZeGfCRJcSfzg8pObJC6OAZtlhOCw26WaTKGhWbNTysi0VB4i3c~-TayBrhNR17t5Wcpp5fDyI~d9z4XBV2aVgh0zvQe87W-DBwlZlZUNn8y49I7RluQn1G2vLoOzOQI9-PvfqZAQozQ45PMHJGpT5SVfYc8byOM3ZPjTSx87xhqsbNDG5G36WmYOprsYfbXM2K95e63Wh090tqNzyAAorWZ3zo~g0Ozud0SF76aesFXirUtxnlOEFMvVYmJ65Y~cM3uahv-POjDDM6uvDc0-qx-5CipUFPewCt8GYB4-jntuEqVbYG4SaZT5yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Punta Gorda, FL","date","2025-07-03T12:29:19Z","article","Punta Gorda City Council on July 2 voted to set the rollback millage rate at 3.8686 for the 2025 Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice the city must publish. The rollback rate preserves the city\fs ability to collect increased revenue produced only by new construction rather than raising rates on existing property values.

Finance Director Kristen Simeone presented the certified taxable values from the Charlotte County property appraiser (a 2.3% overall increase driven by new construction) and a five‑year pro forma showing the city's projected reserves under several rate options. Council members discussed that the city's current ad valorem rate of 3.95 had funded services and maintenance but that reserves begin to tighten by 2028.

Why it matters: The rate placed on the TRIM notices is the maximum the council may adopt in September without re‑advertising; the council may adopt a lower rate later but cannot adopt a higher rate than published. Choosing the rollback rate keeps the city's tax effort effectively flat for existing taxpayers while allowing the city to capture new construction growth.

Council discussion and vote: Several council members said they prefer the rollback rate to avoid burdening taxpayers during an uncertain recovery period; others argued for keeping flexibility. After discussion, council voted to list 3.8686 as the rate on the TRIM notice; staff will prepare the formal resolution for the July 9 meeting and then the final adoption for the September budget hearing if council chooses.

Ending: Council instructed staff to return with the TRIM resolution for publication and confirmed that the formal adoption would occur during the statutory September budget hearings (two hearings scheduled in September).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting 7-02-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council selected the rollback millage rate of 3.8686 for the upcoming TRIM notices, instructing staff to prepare a resolution. Members cited a desire to preserve reserves while monitoring post‑hurricane fiscal risks; the council may revisit the rate during budget hearings in September.","taxTitle","Punta Gorda City, Charlotte County, Florida","taxId",54477,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179808,"Punta Gorda approves canal district projects; Punta Gorda Isles to add two maintenance workers",802,10134000,10936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b&start=10134&end=10936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b/thumbnail_10134000.jpg","/articles/6179808/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-approves-canal-district-projects-Punta-Gorda-Isles-to-add-two-maintenance-workers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179808-6b1cab66959e33f7ae0104d1a8da74a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200402&Signature=QrzrRhDsjvy9dBh1wgHwBciWbL23ROQrDfLJ~1xOWEw48MVFX6MTlFpJ6ETUVI0HWlbC2ll82UzIrpWCaeKC3bcWqBl6y3vOBVgOe-dj48jzbuhY5C2XqT6zGX9P7CS2sdr1n6gaOrkQGm0d1naUvnmSU9Fui9HIrOZWdUbTL2s2x7WOshbrwRFYV86zp7Lmm2uG0j8ytKovjNKTvLBu2U7XkMvzEQrKdXXAHjdEzuGI0FDOgWv615eHCILlPZrGeGh6iVXVz7QSbyb3QxxSPhF4sNBlZktAlCGyVspAiM6Rfl3r7v85-~QeGbIxX7cdtJDYJ9ATpvNO3p8u3UnCgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council reviewed the canal assessment district pro formas for Burnt Store Isles (BSI) and Punta Gorda Isles (PGI) on July 2 and gave staff consensus direction to proceed with the advisory boards\frecommended projects and assessment rates.

BSI: The advisory board recommended proceeding with the Channel Corner widening project and setting the assessment at the level the board proposed (approx. $1,010 for FY26 in the draft pro forma). The board recommended holding off on a Lockwood railing improvement project and requested no staff increases; council accepted the recommendations and asked staff to keep the project and funding schedule in the pro forma.

PGI: The PGI advisory board recommended an assessment rate (proposed $1,350) and requested adding two canal maintenance positions to help build seawall panels and increase the annual seawall replacement throughput. Council directed staff to add the two positions; staff said the positions would be paid from the PGI canal fund and that the extra internal capacity would reduce vendor panel costs charged to assessment districts.

Why it matters: The two districts fund long‑term seawall, dredging and canal‑maintenance work that protects private property and waterfront infrastructure. Council and staff stressed that federal and state reimbursements (FEMA/DEP) related to hurricane damage may offset some projects, and that bondable or staged projects may be needed to smooth funding.

Details: BSI staff presented a pro forma showing a reserve while the proposed channel corner project and a land‑acquisition staging site remain funded; PGI showed a program with 10,000 linear feet targeted for seawall replacement in FY26 and incremental increases thereafter. Council members asked for confirmation that outstanding consultant costs (e.g., engineering related to hurricane work) were wrapping up; staff said consultant bills were expected to be resolved this month.

Action: Council accepted the advisory boards\frecommendations and endorsed the proposed assessment schedules; PGI was authorized to add two maintenance positions. Staff will return with budget adjustments reflected in July resolutions.","Council endorsed Burnt Store Isles and Punta Gorda Isles canal maintenance plans and assessment schedules. BSI recommended channel‑corner widening and land acquisition; PGI approved adding two canal maintenance staff to help build seawall panels and keep the annual replacement program on pace.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179816,"Council approves update to development impact fees; staggered effective dates begin in 2025",0,7660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b&start=7660&end=7660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b/thumbnail_7660000.jpg","/articles/6179816/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Council-approves-update-to-development-impact-fees-staggered-effective-dates-begin-in-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179816-12b26313c02392cadbacdf2b999f4fc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200403&Signature=mxvE3m952DddV8UFAUrBhs8FkRaotirNTejPikUrf960K7rSMZOMnEH~1RmTH1x~wg0Sb0IMviAaB2Mbi-KDBmG77Z9OrGQ3tX1BirmM6AmQDuQK2ShCIqLzfqNhfoYzaGnry1P4PWOe46uh0x0U3Q90HqPWdidJ6zqCEufLL0MTqH95YxbMTT1GXqTVlEXTe93BcB9Np4AGeSFbKNxGGL3BoV1yq-grHJT2qVT4xnYm~bQA83ybu8tpXJMDadkvh4fCkBDTY83-ifJB7IflVqOczjBFuD9UQZa3KY6VkTXZYAKH9XTMrVmMC3Ek~7m7ckjPNazkk7zDNsVId95AyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council approved on July 2 a package of amendments to Chapter 11 of the Punta Gorda City Code revising the city\fdevelopment impact fee ordinance.

The ordinance revises definitions, establishes a waiver procedure for certain affordable‑housing projects, sets new calculation methods and establishes new schedules for parks, mobility and public facilities fees with staggered effective dates beginning Oct. 1, 2025 and continuing through Oct. 1, 2028.

Why it matters: Impact fees fund capital projects required to support new development. Updating the schedules and methodology changes the up‑front cost of developing in Punta Gorda and can affect project feasibility, particularly for smaller projects and affordable‑housing proposals.

Staff presentation and action: Finance Director Kristen Simeone told council that staff previously presented the report and that no members of the public spoke on the item at the hearing. Council asked one clarifying policy question about whether recent state legislation (SB 180) affects the city\fability to adopt higher fees; staff answered that SB 180 does not prevent adoption of the updated fees.

Action taken: Council approved the ordinance on the first reading; the ordinance includes specific effective dates for different fee categories and directs changes to impact fee trust funds. Staff will return with final documentation and effective‑date actions as required for adoption and public notice.

Ending: The change will take effect according to the dates in the ordinance; staff said they would bring the final ordinance and trust‑fund adjustments forward as required.","Punta Gorda approved an ordinance updating development impact fees for parks, mobility and public facilities with staggered effective dates (Oct. 1, 2025–2028). The ordinance includes waivers for certain affordable housing and revisions to fee calculation and trust funds.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179820,"Council adopts emergency vested‑rights procedure, shifts initial review to public Development Review Committee",13,7889000,7902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b&start=7889&end=7902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b/thumbnail_7889000.jpg","/articles/6179820/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Council-adopts-emergency-vestedrights-procedure-shifts-initial-review-to-public-Development-Review-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179820-243ff555c8a661a9f8997740f25a1cc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200403&Signature=PVFre5tdY6uAY4K-yByAfJeMop-y8WKgMATdImqQ4LN6RWAx1ouQY1MbGNR5HPQvbTKhfKCQex6W3usilz~enrXMx4LW5i9Y0MefseGk3~xn46Xw8Hw6dR6uw-yJ-I~9PVEJQ9ynlyR4xF729G0mMSzznTOzuysa--XXflt9JV1iljApnDAtlJDYwNqzRSLbiM8Q5ZMMJWhRmEHLKLrI61EwzIZVl2zQ~~t-8agzQlXU8j0XETDWG4Xj3xVqPbo7q0fdVtNyFg-JMibx51tMIvOAxP7-RhXXLrTDUtgbMnFkdr9uAq~GUN3kMHT2N3KQZJXPhxrl0G-RHxsoOCOVcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council approved an emergency ordinance on July 2 establishing a formal procedure for determining vested rights under Florida law.

The ordinance creates definitions, an intake and application process, timelines for determinations and an appeal path. During second‑reading discussion council adopted amendments to replace staff-only intake with the Development Review Committee for initial processing, a change council members and the planning director said will add transparency by using a standing public committee for the first review.

Why it matters: Vested‑rights determinations are the municipal mechanism used to recognize a property owner\u0000\u0000s entitlement to proceed under prior zoning or permit rules despite later regulatory changes. Adopting a formal, published process clarifies timelines for owners and gives the city a documented, defensible procedure if disputes reach court.

Key changes and debate: Planning Director Boyd Lawrence suggested replacing \"documentation with city staff\" language in the draft with the established Development Review Committee (DRC) so that intake and initial determinations occur in a public, multidepartment forum that includes building and zoning officials. Council approved that edit and adopted the ordinance with the DRC substitution.

Action taken: Council voted to approve the emergency ordinance and directed staff to publish the application form and procedures. The adopted motion included the specific edit substituting the DRC for the urban design staff in the intake steps.

Implementation notes: The ordinance includes a 365‑day window for certain claims tied to effective dates; council discussed consistency with older LDR language that references a 180‑day period and agreed to retain the 365‑day period here to preserve flexibility while the comprehensive‑plan follow‑up is scheduled. Staff will finalize an intake application and the DRC will administer the first stage of reviews.

Ending: Council members said formalizing the vested‑rights procedure protects both property owners and the city by documenting the process and timeline for decisions and appeals.","Punta Gorda approved an emergency ordinance establishing a formal process for vested‑rights determinations. Council amended the draft so the Development Review Committee (DRC) — a standing public body — performs the initial intake and makes the first determination instead of an urban design staff review.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179825,"Punta Gorda council votes 3-2 to repeal 2023 land‑development ordinance amid state law concerns",6418,821000,7239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b&start=821&end=7239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5123339-70fc81036a3f7d9b3a2b9e902bd36c1b/thumbnail_821000.jpg","/articles/6179825/Punta-Gorda-City/Charlotte-County/Florida/Punta-Gorda-council-votes-3-2-to-repeal-2023-landdevelopment-ordinance-amid-state-law-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179825-b261ff6f126dc46926171ce3936e2f85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200403&Signature=hwC7XdynPTJIX47Y1xejZifzQb2ut8S7pZk7NLeZSuIrm2CSGzapT8SfBySzzdrP4wenzlIu0D0AKp8bfUkrt03DVNWG1ivWIuFOnmI-zChQ9~LXrirjxSSrXk75WsD4EC4ueowF94Et2tnABQCG5S9CkQibLyJ2WjNkS5SLO8nNOX5qbHbzaYyMDbgjqVxxoZfgU81rPCaz91n4EOPhnDzoaQJGbX~Au1AKf8WxN0vD9V2N0HamIVsdK0Oik~mkhYK4l1UwMkLY7iA-72o2~lYWnZ6zyiAGwpmHyCua~rYVzmczrkCyQpPxWRlEIH~xlmCvkECBu4JULDPyjgGfDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Punta Gorda City Council voted 3-2 on July 2 to repeal the 2023 ordinance that adopted new land development regulations (LDRs), declaring the ordinance null and void ab initio pursuant to Senate Bill 250 and related 2023 legislation.

Council members and outside counsel urged caution about litigation risk from conflicting interpretations of the state laws; other council members argued repeal was the clearest path to restore regulatory certainty for property owners and developers.

The repeal ordinance reads that the city\founcil\reclares ordinance 2012-2023 repealed as null and void ab initio pursuant to Senate Bill 250, Florida laws, specifically chapters 2023-304, section 14 and chapter 2023-349, section 15. The council took public comment at the second reading; more than a dozen residents and property owners addressed the council, asking both for and against repeal and urging protection for waterfront and historic areas.

Why it matters: City legal advisers warned that under SB 250 (and the subsequently enacted SB 180) private property owners and residents can sue a municipality over any action adopting measures they deem \"more restrictive or burdensome\" during the recovery period the laws address. The council and outside land-use attorneys disagreed on whether the city could \"surgically\" amend portions of the 2023 LDRs or needed full repeal to avoid exposure to attorney-fee awards.

Council debate and public comment: Outside land-use attorney Mr. Gabriel, retained as an expert on the subject, advised the council that the ordinance falls squarely within the reach of SB 250 and is \"null and void\" under the statute. City attorney Leskovich and other municipal counsel said a line-by-line or section-by-section approach could be legally defensible in some circumstances and would be more targeted. Council members described having received divergent legal advice; several said the uncertainty itself imposes costs and delays on development and city operations.

Residents who spoke during the public hearing gave divided testimony. Some urged repeal to remove the litigation risk and to restore the prior regulatory baseline; others said they feared repeal would weaken waterfront and environmental protections. Several speakers urged the council to conduct thorough public workshops if it repealed and then rewrote the regulations.

Action taken: The council approved the second reading and adoption of the repeal ordinance (motion carried 3-2). The motion text on the record was to approve the second reading declaring the 2023 ordinance repealed and null and void ab initio. The record does not list individual yea/nay votes by name.

Next steps: Council members directed staff and counsel to notify the state as required and to schedule further discussion of the city comprehensive plan and any follow‑up amendments. Councilmembers and staff also discussed holding workshops to develop a replacement code, with particular focus on downtown height, density, parking and setbacks.

Ending: Councilmembers said they expect additional legal and procedural steps, including a separate agenda item on the comprehensive plan in August; they emphasized that any new or amended rules will be developed through public meetings and further legal review.","City council approved a second-reading ordinance declaring the 2023 land‑development ordinance null and void ab initio under Senate Bill 250 and related 2023 statutes, after a long public hearing and divided legal opinions about whether surgical edits or full repeal best limit litigation risk.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Punta Gorda sets rollback millage rate for 2025 TRIM notice, council to revisit in September

Punta Gorda approves canal district projects; Punta Gorda Isles to add two maintenance workers

Council approves update to development impact fees; staggered effective dates begin in 2025

Council adopts emergency vested‑rights procedure, shifts initial review to public Development Review Committee

Punta Gorda council votes 3-2 to repeal 2023 land‑development ordinance amid state law concerns