Council approves annual assessments and fees; solid-waste and fire assessment increases draw public comment

The Cape Coral City Council approved a package of non-ad valorem assessment rates and related assessment-roll actions on Aug. 27, finalizing rates for services the city funds and places on Lee County tax bills.

Key votes and outcomes

- Resolution 240-25 (lot mowing assessment): Approved by roll call. The lot mowing program covers mowing, invasive-vegetation removal and burrowing-owl trimming for enrolled unimproved parcels; rates vary by district and the program mows enrolled lots 13 times a year. Council vote recorded as unanimous (8–0).

- Resolution 241-25 (solid waste service assessment): Approved by roll call. Financial Services Director Crystal Feese presented the rates, which reflect a contract CPI increase and a county disposal-fee increase. The city manager and staff explained that a portion of the assessment builds an emergency debris-cleanup reserve to allow the city to pay cleanup costs upfront and pursue FEMA or other reimbursements later. Public commenter Tom Shadrach urged a lower rate, saying, “Having that much money there and taking it out of the pockets of us that pay for solid waste pickup is ridiculous.” Council approved the resolution (8–0).

- Resolution 243-25 (fire protection assessment): Approved by roll call after substantial discussion and public comment. The final resolution increases the assessment recovery level to 81% (the city will cover the remaining 19% via the general fund) and funds several capital and staffing items cited by staff: a Fire Station 5 rebuild, a diesel-exhaust extraction system, facility maintenance, generator and docking replacements and a new rescue vehicle. The staff presentation listed 19 additional positions proposed for the coming year; the average single-family property impact was presented as an increase of about $91 annually. Public commenters raised concerns about year-over-year assessment increases; one speaker said, “Over the last three years, it has doubled.” The council approved the resolution 7–1; the meeting record shows one dissenting vote.

- Resolution 244-25 (stormwater user fee): Approved by roll call. The resolution establishes a stormwater user fee of $156 per equivalent residential unit and funds enhanced operational crews, water-quality investments and drainage projects; staff explained that fund balances include multi-year capital commitments that are restricted to stormwater purposes. Council vote recorded as unanimous (8–0).

- Resolution 245-25 (annual assessment roles for utility expansion projects and Del Prado parking): Approved by roll call (8–0). This action certifies several longstanding utility-expansion assessment rolls to the tax collector.

- Resolution 246-25 (collection of certain delinquent water/wastewater/irrigation/fire assessments and delinquent loans): Approved by roll call (8–0). The resolution adds a set of deferred and delinquent balances to the 2025 tax roll for installment collection, with terms tied to remaining original assessment terms or set six to 20 years depending on the category.

- Resolution 247-25 (North 1 West irrigation assessments previously miscoded as exempt): Approved by roll call (8–0). The resolution imposes assessments on 22 parcels previously miscoded and exempted; owners were given a 30-day prepayment window before the installment schedule through the tax roll would begin.

Why it matters: These assessments fund recurring municipal services and capital investments that affect collection, public safety, drainage and storm readiness. Two items—the solid-waste assessment and the fire protection assessment—drew sustained public comment about reserve levels, transparency and year-over-year increases; staff defended reserve-building as necessary to speed recovery and avoid borrowing in large debris events.

Public comment and staff response: Multiple residents urged lower rates or greater transparency about reserves. City manager and staff explained the reasoning for building reserves in enterprise funds—particularly for solid waste and debris cleanup—so the city can pay upfront for emergency response and pursue reimbursement later without borrowing from the general fund. For the fire assessment, staff explained that shifting a larger share to the assessment reduces the ad valorem (property tax) burden and helps fund prioritized capital and staffing needs.

Action summary: Council approved all items on the assessment calendar; recorded votes are included for each resolution.