Residents of San Carlos Estates press council to oppose local bill that could transfer water-district control

Dozens of residents of San Carlos Estates told the Bonita Springs City Council on Tuesday that they oppose a local bill by state Representative Adam Botana that could change governance of their San Carlos Estates Water Control District.

The residents packed council chambers and used the public-comment period before the council moved item 10a forward so they could hear council discussion while they were present. "They are not for changing anything and having the water district taken over by the city or any other combination of things," said Jim Bradford, a San Carlos Estates resident and chairman of the water control district.

The crowd included neighborhood leaders who said the district already complies with recent state law changes. "We fulfill the financial requirements. We fulfill the water requirements. And it's just a good system that we have," said David Cook, a San Carlos Estates resident. John Salucci, another resident, urged the council to consider that the statewide reform the…