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Estero’s legislative liaisons brief council on budget outlook and local project priorities
Summary
Village lobbyists told council the 2026 legislative session left Tallahassee with a likely special session on the budget; staff recommended prioritizing funding for Williams Road/Atlantic Gulf Drive and an alternative for Estero Parkway water‑reuse extension.
Estero’s legislative liaisons briefed the Village Council on April 15 about the 2026 legislative session and the village’s project requests for state funding.
A legislative staffer reported that roughly 1,900 bills were introduced this year and 237 passed both chambers. The legislature left Tallahassee in mid‑March and a special session is expected to finalize the state budget. Staff outlined the village’s four project requests — two transportation projects and two water projects — and recommended prioritizing Williams Road/Atlantic Gulf Drive improvements and the Estero facility alternative irrigation source for maximum chance of funding.
On the broader budget, staff described a disagreement between the House and Senate on total spending levels and noted proposals under consideration related to property taxes. One staffer said the House considered proposals that would eliminate property taxes but that such measures are unlikely to advance; instead staff said the likely outcome could be an increased homestead exemption in a narrower range. “What they’ve decided to do is kick the can down the road,” a legislative staffer said, describing the timing for further action.
Council members asked questions about project design and right‑of‑way acquisition for the Williams Road project and about Florida Forever funding for local conservation priorities; staff said one chamber had roughly $1,000,000 referenced for Florida Forever while the other had none, leaving unresolved prospects for that program’s funding this year.
Ending: Staff said they will continue negotiations as the budget process continues and update council members as allocations firm up ahead of the special session.
