Council keeps Step Up to Work eligibility at 14–18 after public comment

The City of Fort Myers City Council voted to keep the Step Up to Work youth program age eligibility at 14–18 following public comment and discussion. Councilmember Watson moved to retain the 14–18 range; the motion carried on a roll call vote.

Councilmember Watson said she did not support changing the eligibility to 16–18 because 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds often have fewer employment opportunities and rely on municipal programs for early work experience. "These younger students often have limited access to employment opportunities and depend on structural municipal programs to gain early workforce exposure," she said.

Marvin Scott, director of human resources, explained the program’s history: it originally required participants to be 16–18, was lowered to include 14– and 15‑year‑olds during the COVID period to increase participation, and recent demand has once again grown. Scott said federal child‑labor limits apply to younger participants (for example, 14– and 15‑year‑olds face hour and time‑of‑day restrictions) but that the city has sufficient interest among applicants.

Several members of the public urged the council to keep the younger eligibility. William Joseph Schottmiller, an advocate for human needs, and Amber Ware, a long‑time city employee and STARS member, told the council that offering opportunities at age 14 provides structure and support for students who would otherwise have fewer options.

By roll call the council approved the motion to retain the 14–18 age range. The council’s action was procedural (amending program administrative policy) and no further citywide ordinance change was indicated. The council moved on to the next agenda item after the motion carried.