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 legislature passed last year (discussed in the meeting as Florida statute 24136, formerly House Bill 703) was intended to standardize oversight of special districts and that a local bill aimed at this district appears to run counter to that statewide intent.

Why it matters: Residents said they spent their own money to pave neighborhood roads and built reserves over years, and they fear a change in governance could threaten those reserves or outside control of local infrastructure. City council members repeatedly told the audience the measure was not city-initiated and that the city likely could not unilaterally "kill" a state bill, but they encouraged residents to attend the representative's town hall.

Council response and next steps: Council members moved item 10a ahead in the agenda so those who came for the issue could hear the council discussion. Deputy Mayor Purdon told residents, "there is no intent from the city side to do anything [in Scribe Lane] ... We don't have a budget item for Strike Lane. Your council member has never brought it up." He added that the city would be cautious about delivering a public letter to Representative Botana because the city will likely request state assistance on other matters and does not want to needlessly provoke the delegation.

Council members also noted the procedural hurdles that would limit the bill's chances. Councilman Gibson and others explained that, as presented, the local bill would require approval both by a majority of San Carlos Estates voters and by the entire city electorate; if either fails, the measure would not take effect. "So, I don't think it's got a very good shot, especially if the majority of you guys are against it," the mayor said.

Representational avenues: The council alerted residents that Representative Botana will host a town-hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Fire District headquarters on Bonita Grande Drive; several council members urged residents to bring written comments and to email legislators explaining their concerns.

What council did: Council discussed and answered residents' questions at the meeting; no formal vote or ordinance was introduced by the council during the session. Council members recommended that residents continue to engage with their state representative and promised to avoid unilateral city action that would appear to be a takeover.

Context and community impact: Speakers said the district complies with regulatory and financial obligations and highlighted years of neighborhood private investment in roads and reserves. Residents pressed the council for a formal written statement to the district and their state representative; council members recommended pursuing the town hall and direct constituent communications first.

Ending: Council members closed the discussion by directing staff to keep the public informed and by reiterating the date and time of the legislator's town-hall meeting. Residents filled the chamber for the next items and the council took a short recess to allow many to leave.