Lede
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council on Wednesday set a tentative ad valorem millage rate of 1.15 mills and approved a package of budget adjustments intended to close a $1,191,000 shortfall, after hearing public complaints about a previously proposed 26% increase and deliberating multiple departmental cuts and fund transfers.

Nut graf
Council finance staff laid out a plan that combines personnel and program reductions, reassignments of costs to permit and other enterprise funds, and use of loan and grant resources to balance next year’s operating budget without raising the rate to the previously advertised maximum. The council’s tentative millage vote — 3–2 — establishes the ceiling; the final rate and the budget will be adopted after a second public hearing on Sept. 24.

Body
Residents used the meeting’s public-comment period to press the council on the tax proposal. “I am here to dispute the town’s previous vote and the town management’s recommendation on the proposed 26% tax increase for the millage of Fort Myers Beach,” resident Susan Koch told the council, citing local housing-market data and warning of economic strain for remaining residents.

Finance Director Joe Anzick reviewed the town’s fiscal picture and the staff responses to the council’s request to find $1.19 million in budget reductions. “We had that deficit of $1,191,000 that we then had the challenge to cover,” Anzick said, then laid out proposed cuts and reallocations that reduce the general-fund shortfall while preserving core services.

Staff changes and program reductions were the largest single set of adjustments. Community Services Director Jeff Haughey detailed cuts at Bay Oaks Recreation and the Mound House, including elimination of several vacant positions and reduced program hours that he said would likely mean fewer youth leagues and curtailed special events. “Removing an athletics coordinator here, we aren’t gonna have basketball leagues, volleyball leagues, pickleball leagues,” Haughey said, describing impacts on after-school and summer youth programs if positions are not funded.

To reduce general-fund pressure, staff recommended moving portions of code-compliance and building-related positions into the building-permit fund, where much of that work is allowable to charge to permit revenue. Anzick said the town will also use a combination of bridge-loan proceeds and designated reserves for one-time needs: the town has used about $9.27 million of an $11.9 million bridge loan to date, leaving roughly $2.6 million available after the changes presented to council.

Councilors and staff debated the size and timing of reserves and whether to hold the millage steady. Several council members urged caution because the town still faces large State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan payments in coming years and outstanding hurricane-recovery obligations. Town Manager (unnamed in the record) told the council he was still reconciling FEMA and insurance reimbursements and could not present a fully matured reserve projection at the time of the meeting.

A series of related formal motions followed the presentation. The council voted to set the tentative ad valorem millage at 1.15 mills — the figure Cassandra Penner, budget manager, read into the record — with Councilor Safford moving the rate and the motion passing 3–2. The council also adopted a tentative budget resolution (25-263) that will be adjusted in the final hearing to reflect the council’s tentative millage decision.

Ending
The council’s tentative decisions now go to a final public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 5:01 p.m., when members will adopt the final millage and budget. Staff said they will return with revised budget exhibits tied to the 1.15-mill ceiling and updated reserve and FEMA-reimbursement analyses ahead of that date.