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Council sets preliminary millage and keeps stormwater assessment; members debate reserves and disaster funding
Summary
Bonita Springs, Fla. — The City Council voted to keep the preliminary millage rate unchanged for fiscal year 2025‑26 and adopted the proposed stormwater assessment fee, after a finance briefing that included July 1 property‑value updates and a review of the city’s operating and disaster reserves.
Bonita Springs, Fla. — The City Council voted to set the preliminary millage rate for fiscal year 2025‑26 at the same rate used in the prior year and approved the proposed stormwater assessment fee for the coming fiscal year, after receiving updated property‑value information from the Lee County property appraiser and a finance briefing on reserves.
Finance staff reported July 1 taxable‑value updates from the property appraiser and explained how the city’s ‘just value’ (market value) and taxable value differ under Florida’s Save Our Homes rules. Staff noted an increase in taxable values that the property appraiser attributed in part to calamity remediation and condo units returning to the rolls in nearby barrier‑island jurisdictions; staff cautioned those figures reflect values as of Jan. 1, 2025 and that market changes later in the year are not reflected until next year’s rolls.
Council members discussed the city’s operating reserves and disaster reserves. Staff said the city holds roughly $5.4 million in operating reserves plus approximately $3.1 million in disaster reserves (including a $2 million state disaster loan), for about $8.5 million in combined reserves. Council members referenced prior guidance about recommended reserve targets for a city of Bonita Springs’ size and asked whether current holdings are sufficient given recent storm costs; staff and council used Hurricane Ian recovery costs (reported in the meeting at about $9.7 million to date) as a reference point.
Mayor Gibson moved and the council approved the preliminary millage rate at the currently budgeted rate. Deputy Mayor Purdon recorded the lone dissent on that vote (6–1). The council also adopted a resolution establishing the stormwater assessment fee for the fiscal year; the vote carried 6–1 as recorded.
Why it matters: The preliminary millage rate determines the tax rate that will appear on property‑owner TRIM notices and frames the city’s revenue assumptions for budget work between now and final adoption. Council members pressed staff for follow‑up information on reserve targets, FEMA reimbursements still outstanding and the city’s plan to fund mitigation and capital projects.
