City Manager Lawing and staff asked the Fort Myers City Council to review five priority projects the city plans to seek from the Florida Legislature in the 2026 appropriation cycle.

The request matters because the projects — Midtown infrastructure, upgrades to the central wastewater treatment plant, restoration work at the Calusa Nature Center boardwalk, construction of Fire Station 18 and a citywide septic-to-sewer conversion effort — would require multi‑million dollar state investments to move forward and tie directly to the city’s capital improvement planning and environmental goals.

Justin McGawy, speaking for staff, said the list is preliminary and prioritized by how projects fit with other funding schedules. He described the requests and approximate amounts: about $5,000,000 for a future phase (design or construction) of Midtown infrastructure; about $5,000,000 to support work at the central wastewater treatment plant, specifically toward elimination of surface water discharge; approximately $1,500,000 targeted at the Calusa Nature Center boardwalk restoration; about $1,500,000 for Fire Station 18 construction; and a citywide septic‑to‑sewer conversion program with a total project estimate of roughly $22,800,000, with the staff seeking state support for design and construction of priority areas.

Council members asked clarifying questions about how requests could be worded to include feasibility studies, and whether state agencies such as the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) might be receptive to funding septic‑to‑sewer conversions given river cleanup timelines. McGawy said staff had discussed the proposals with local legislators and that requests are due before Thanksgiving, and emphasized the estimates are preliminary.

No formal vote was taken at the workshop; staff asked for council feedback to finalize legislative request language and proceed with submittal.

Looking ahead, staff said they will refine cost estimates and draft final appropriation language before the submission deadline so councilmembers can review any changes.