[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6502360,"mediaKeyId","5456395-de391ce4cf144add3123a3290aa2670f","parentId",5456395,"title","Council approves preliminary assessments, sets not‑to‑exceed millage; solid waste, fire and stormwater increases advance","audioSeconds",2743,"startMs",2600000,"endMs",5343000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456395-de391ce4cf144add3123a3290aa2670f&start=2600&end=5343","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456395-de391ce4cf144add3123a3290aa2670f/thumbnail_2600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502360/Cape-Coral-City/Lee-County/Florida/Council-approves-preliminary-assessments-sets-nottoexceed-millage-solid-waste-fire-and-stormwater-increases-advance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502360-26b49cb9c6d9b9e467e2f04575d89242/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201928&Signature=h1P8c-ljRXUZPR9FxjmZIxSrnbvojAx1L617P67qCMJ3CMkh-Pe9cMayXY3UtkFJYFbXfBfl0vy4r89Vry~KGut6GVEUf3tvGLp4F~TTWMes~4zq0~pengu-D3DYmleIqU9ArH2AsdXjQwwft8xR1PpSN2CmaJMX9jwmX-~ouPbTJZ8ya-dLURCtM6KDXOBEB3PO~lphSQBbYXvEI7n2ClWxZ5u1xPaz~qj~rB9G4Gi5c4Qn47AFeb~p9QEYgk7Dd6Ob~jqngsncOMIUzdErlERaBgJHTjqQ7RIH8RIjafEvzW-zQvmsJb810-4l0KoSj~FWTpqmKYQHR9QtvFIBSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cape Coral, FL","date","2025-07-24T00:23:59.647Z","article","The Cape Coral City Council on July 23 adopted a set of preliminary assessments and budget actions tied to the fiscal‑year 2026 budget and set a not‑to‑exceed millage rate for the city’s general fund.

Key approvals and votes

- Lot mowing (Resolution 204‑25): Council approved the annual lot‑mowing assessment rates for four districts used to fund mowing, invasive vegetation removal and burrowing‑owl trimming for approximately 31,000 parcels. Staff said District 1’s per‑lot rate declines after last year’s supplemental debris funding tied to Hurricane Ian, while Districts 2–4 see modest increases tied to contract cost rises. Vote: 8–0 in favor.

- Solid waste assessment (Resolution 205‑25): Council approved the proposed solid‑waste assessment for FY2026. Staff described components including Waste Pro contract CPI adjustments, Lee County tipping‑fee increases and a policy decision to build restricted reserves in the solid‑waste fund to stand up to future debris and contract shocks. The proposed adjustment increased the annual assessment by $38.49 over the prior year; staff said the change will create an estimated restricted fund balance of about $26.5 million by 09/30/2026. Public commenters criticized building the reserve and questioned whether the city should be holding that cash. Vote: 7 ayes, 1 nay.

- Fire protection assessment (Resolution 206‑25): The council approved a preliminary not‑to‑exceed rate that would increase the assessed recovery from 70% to 81% of fire costs, reducing general‑fund subsidy and funding investments the staff listed: a rebuild of Fire Station 5 ($9.5 million), a diesel exhaust system ($1.4 million), generator replacements and docking stations ($810,000), a rescue truck ($390,000), facilities maintenance and 19 additional positions. Staff said the change equates to about a 25% increase over last year; the example shown for an average single‑family household was an increase of roughly $91 per year. Vote: 7 ayes, 1 nay.

- Stormwater user fee (Resolution 207‑25): Council set a proposed not‑to‑exceed stormwater fee of $156 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) for FY2026 and scheduled the final public hearing. Staff said the proposed fee will fund new maintenance crews, environmental and water‑quality projects ($1.1 million), flood‑prevention investments ($1.6 million) and drainage improvements ($1.7 million). Public commenters praised stormwater crews’ work and also raised concerns about response times on some swales. Motion carried (roll call recorded; council approved proceeding to final hearing).

- Collections and assessment corrections (Resolution 208‑25 and 209‑25): Council started the formal process to place several previously delinquent deferred assessments, hardship deferrals and one delinquent loan on the tax roll (resolution 208‑25) and to correct an administrative miscoding that had exempted 22 parcels from an irrigation assessment (resolution 209‑25). In both cases staff said notices will be mailed, prepayment periods offered and final hearings set for August 27. Both measures were approved.

- Millage (Resolution 210‑25): The council set a proposed not‑to‑exceed millage rate of 5.5188 mills for general operations (rolled‑back rate 5.1471) and 0.1608 mills for voted parks debt service for the FY2026 trim process. The proposed general‑fund not‑to‑exceed rate is a policy decision to provide flexibility in the upcoming budget process; the final millage and budget will be adopted at public hearings scheduled for Sept. 11 (tentative) and Sept. 25. Vote on the not‑to‑exceed millage: 6 ayes, 2 nays.

Staff presentations and public comment

Financial staff and department directors provided the numbers behind each assessment. Crystal Feese, financial services director, presented the lot‑mowing data and the calendar for the final hearing. Terry Schweitzer, solid waste manager, and other staff described the rationale for a restricted solid‑waste reserve and the mechanics of the assessment billing. Budget staff noted the city’s overall fiscal‑year 2026 proposed general fund budget and explained that the millage action on July 23 was a “not‑to‑exceed” step required for Truth in Millage (TRIM) notifications.

Several residents spoke during public hearings. Comments ranged from criticism of building a large solid‑waste reserve, to concerns about assessment transparency, to support for additional stormwater crews. One frequent commenter asked why the council was increasing assessments and taxes while residents face affordability pressures; others urged the city to proceed with needed capital investments.

Next steps

Each of the adopted preliminary rates and assessments is set for a final public hearing on August 27 (4 p.m.) or in the September TRIM hearings for ad valorem millage. Staff will publish detailed assessment calculations and mailing notices where required. The council’s approval of the not‑to‑exceed millage preserves flexibility but does not finalize property tax rates — the final rates will be set in September after additional budget work and public hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - July 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Cape Coral City Council approved multiple preliminary non‑ad valorem assessments and a not‑to‑exceed general‑fund millage on July 23 to fund mowing, solid‑waste reserves, fire protection investments, stormwater work and assessment collections ahead of final budget hearings.","taxTitle","Cape Coral City, Lee County, Florida","taxId",4188,"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},6502363,"Council authorizes city to pursue new emergency‑operations center near City Hall; mental‑health partner loses priority for that site",1923,2443000,4366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456395-de391ce4cf144add3123a3290aa2670f&start=2443&end=4366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456395-de391ce4cf144add3123a3290aa2670f/thumbnail_2443000.jpg","/articles/6502363/Cape-Coral-City/Lee-County/Florida/Council-authorizes-city-to-pursue-new-emergencyoperations-center-near-City-Hall-mentalhealth-partner-loses-priority-for-that-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502363-dd28020764d975e61ec1c0855ce751dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201928&Signature=SmhEw95raZt8tV8k7HLLXYjce5wZfJGOFW~1PrnYGWySqybPhFJDWTmqFddsE~NiaUnY4AS4Iv2bxEwemNoSH6k6rG-mfsb6FXm8qBFUTz2IY8QKSiHTepDnYFpSleGbrs3KXBuFVL9wPMuukp92Jd48~jmhTuwIEjENZ8ihV7ac10u5MCzF~-7F4QYMNxXfeiSKkW-~R9~W1bNiTD9o2CBN8Y5xUs-Y3KQLKuKNstv~lLlYk1ZYhpY1uUxHKxFdrPrwLlbwLDzF8OOwI7LJrrs2PFQoM9vaJIJgrQvL3fxejyaIOL1FqQZ9BzxZOAJ1biD3JgVQA-~RTjvRLj6qWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cape Coral City Council on July 23 approved a motion directing the city manager and emergency‑management director to proceed with a planned replacement or expansion of the city’s emergency operations center on a parcel adjacent to City Hall, voting 7–1.

Ryan Lamb, the city’s emergency management resilience director, told the council that the city has secured two state appropriations of $9 million each (total $18 million) and an approved Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) award of $15 million from the state, with final FEMA approval still pending. Lamb said the grants could be used for a new EOC building or an expansion attached to the existing facility.

\"We have a $15 million HMGP grant that's been approved by the state of Florida, and we're waiting final approval from FEMA,\" Lamb said, describing the funding picture and the expedited need to decide a site before engineering and design move forward.

City staff and the city manager described technical constraints at the existing site, including a 185‑foot radio tower whose fall radius and microwave requirements limit options for attaching a larger structure. Assistant City Manager Mark Mason explained that a monopole replacement would not meet microwave height requirements at that location and that relocating or rebuilding the tower would carry significant costs.

Council discussion touched on competing priorities for the same parcel. Several councilmembers — and at least one nonprofit mental‑health provider that had shown interest — had been discussing offering community mental‑health services at a nearby vacant facility. Councilmember Lasker (who raised the mental‑health concern) asked whether a plan B existed to house mental‑health services if the city prioritized the EOC at that location. The city manager said staff had pursued potential partners for mental‑health services and would seek alternative locations if the council confirmed the EOC site.

After public comment and staff discussion, Councilmember Steinke, Councilmember Donnell and the majority voted to authorize city leadership to proceed. The roll call recorded seven ayes and one no (Councilmember Long). The city attorney offered to prepare a formal resolution authorizing the city manager and the emergency‑management director to move forward and finalize design direction; council asked for that document for a future meeting.

Staff said design work needs direction soon; the city manager and the emergency‑management director will instruct the city’s engineers where to focus plans. If moved to the City Hall‑adjacent parcel, an existing facilities building on the site would be demolished and site logistics — including fire and police proximity — would be incorporated into the new EOC.

Lamb said the EOC discussion is time‑sensitive because the mayor’s US Conference of Mayors advisory work and recent state legislation (Senate Bill 180) are accelerating changes to emergency management responsibilities and funding at state and federal levels.

The council majority framed the decision as prioritizing a long‑term, centrally located public safety asset; some councilmembers asked staff to pursue alternative sites for mental‑health services and other community uses that had been under discussion for the parcel.

Votes at the meeting also adopted several preliminary budget and assessment resolutions that staff said will fund other public‑safety and infrastructure needs.

The motion authorizing staff to proceed does not itself commit final construction contracts; staff said funding, final FEMA approvals and design details will be confirmed in later steps before any demolition or construction begins.","The City Council authorized the city manager to pursue siting Cape Coral’s expanded emergency operations center (EOC) at a City Hall‑adjacent parcel after staff reported federal and state grant support. The vote was 7–1; several councilmembers and staff flagged the site had been discussed earlier as a potential nonprofit mental‑health location.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502366,"Cape Coral council rejects adding separate pre-consent public‑comment period",2144,251000,2395000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456395-de391ce4cf144add3123a3290aa2670f&start=251&end=2395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456395-de391ce4cf144add3123a3290aa2670f/thumbnail_251000.jpg","/articles/6502366/Cape-Coral-City/Lee-County/Florida/Cape-Coral-council-rejects-adding-separate-pre-consent-publiccomment-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502366-4eddbdf20872fb6125ed2013c44d666f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201928&Signature=iEKF4mB1DlFouEdVlYR43C73P0mRER9ruHftDca9RbOtVszOfS3mgui~d3hR~qz6cSedG4gIB7nAumz5QN5ff7BmnXDL15535fQ6ALWOB~YmQoILHyFjeeMs5Su45GqfsrNnTfsGWXmI-emMIlb3chw5Jdv~lILmYSAZmKDWXs3ksDVnV4R98TJ6TgexOZ4DRNoLN00A5MxqUD7VmNLIUQ~5nNmaoNDW3C~kIxAdlclcc59fXWi4pd4qo7gKAPY21-iZ~ZkTHygWgS6nJYVbEWpqvmLslOwGNOrA4DpwJ15h9TEVxaBYm-JY0PpDJ~VtYOHZgmP5T2WS5lWCV38k8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cape Coral City Council rejected a proposal to add a 30‑minute citizens‑input period before the consent agenda, voting 5–3 on July 23. The measure would have amended council procedures to allow residents to speak specifically about items slated for the consent agenda before the council voted on those items.

Councilmember Kaduk, who brought the topic forward, said moving citizens input to the end of the meeting had created practical barriers for working residents. \"When we moved it to the end of the agenda...we also then moved the start time to 4 p.m., which meant citizens’ input might not begin until around 6 p.m.,\" Kaduk said during the discussion. She and other supporters argued an early block would help people who cannot stay for long meetings and would allow public comment on consent items.

Opponents said the city’s current arrangements — comment cards, the ability to pull items from consent and post‑meeting electronic comments — already protect public input while keeping staff and consultants from waiting on the clock. Councilmember Steinke said having public comment after staff presentations “has answered a lot of questions” and reduces the risk of comments being made before factual information is available. Councilmember Donnell argued the council had previously deliberated and changed the agenda procedure and should not repeatedly reopen it.

A motion to amend council rules and add a 30‑minute pre‑consent citizens‑input period was made and seconded. The roll call on that motion recorded three ayes (Kaduk, Lastra, Lehman) and five nays (Steinke, Donnell, Gunter, Kilrain, Long). The motion failed.

The council returned to existing practice for the meeting cycle: the single citizens‑input block remains at the end of the agenda, and the city will continue to accept e‑comments and contact via comment cards collected by the city clerk. Several council members said they will track whether the change affects public participation and could re‑examine the rule later if warranted.

Supporters of the amendment emphasized access for residents who work across the bridge, and opponents emphasized fairness, orderly hearings and the burden on staff and consultants who attend meetings for formal business. The council did not adopt any other procedural changes during the session.

The debate preceded a broad evening agenda that included multiple preliminary assessments and budget actions and a separate vote to authorize the city manager to proceed with a new emergency operations center site near City Hall.","After more than an hour of debate, the City Council voted 5–3 against amending meeting procedures to add a 30‑minute citizens‑input block before the consent agenda. Councilmembers argued about access for working residents, staff time and fairness; supporters said the change would restore a chance to speak on consent items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves preliminary assessments, sets not‑to‑exceed millage; solid waste, fire and stormwater increases advance

Council authorizes city to pursue new emergency‑operations center near City Hall; mental‑health partner loses priority for that site

Cape Coral council rejects adding separate pre-consent public‑comment period