Bonita Springs council adopts TPL ballot language for bond referendum to buy rail corridor for Estero Veil Trail

The Bonita Springs City Council voted unanimously April 24 to adopt revised ballot language recommended by the Trust for Public Land for a bond referendum set for Aug. 18, 2026 that would ask voters to approve general-obligation bonds to acquire an inactive railroad corridor for the Estero Veil Trail.

The measure, as presented to the council, would authorize bonds payable from ad valorem taxes to finance acquisition of the corridor. Council Member Chris moved to use the TPL wording because it includes language on pedestrian safety; the motion carried on a roll call vote with Mayor Mike Gibson, Council members Fitzpatrick, Purdon, Corey, Folick and Bogaz voting “Aye.”

The vote followed extended public comment and council discussion. Resident Dave Jay, who identified himself as chairman of the Lee County Taxpayers Association, urged the council to defeat what he called a “$70,000,000 property tax increase,” raised…