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Bonita Springs reviews preliminary 2026–27 budget; staff warns reserves remain tight
Summary
At a city budget workshop, staff presented the preliminary 2026–27 operating and capital budgets, scheduled a July 15 preliminary millage and stormwater-fee vote, and outlined reserves, a pending FEMA reimbursement, and operating costs for new parks that will affect future years.
At a city workshop, the finance director presented the preliminary 2026–27 operating and capital budgets and told the council the preliminary millage-rate vote and the stormwater utility-fee vote are scheduled for July 15, with final adoption targeted for Sept. 23.
The presentation listed the city’s strategic priorities — led by stormwater management and resiliency — and showed revenue composition that includes grants at about 11% of total revenues. Staff said the draft assumes the current millage rate of 0.8470 and the existing stormwater-fee structure as starting points for discussion. The finance director emphasized this session was for direction only; no formal votes were taken.
Staff reported operating reserves of $6.2 million (about four months of operating expenses), disaster reserves of $3.2 million, and a $2 million emergency bridge loan provided by the state. Those amounts combine to roughly $10,738,000 in operating and disaster reserves. The finance director also said the city is awaiting about $662,000 in FEMA reimbursements related to prior storms; staff noted FEMA reimbursements can take roughly 18 months. Projected unrestricted fund balance for 2026–27 appeared in the packet as about $14,517,800.
Council members and staff discussed how new facilities affect ongoing costs. Parks and recreation director Nicole Parino said operating-cost estimates for the new Banyan Tree Park — which includes a splash pad — were developed from local peer facilities and are “best guesses” given it will be a new amenity; staff estimated a prorated opening-year cost and suggested a typical full year could be in the $60,000–$65,000 range. A council member later cautioned planners to assume a higher full-year estimate ($80,000–$90,000) when looking beyond the next fiscal year.
Public commentators urged continued investment in downtown events and streetscape improvements. “We’re transforming that area from a lot of rundown, underutilized buildings … to a place where families enjoy themselves,” said Kyle Moran of Felts Avenue, urging council to keep supporting strolls, lights and programs that bring people downtown. Gary Rudd, a downtown business owner, similarly said the strolls and lighting have improved safety and foot traffic.
Staff flagged a few other budget items of note: the city’s debt load is low for its size, Lee County contributed up to $9.6 million toward downtown redevelopment debt service, and capital-project funding will fluctuate year to year with grants and impact-fee receipts. Staff reiterated the July 15 preliminary millage vote sets the maximum millage the council may levy this cycle; subsequent meetings may lower but not raise that number.
Next steps: staff will present an updated property-value estimate on July 1, hold the preliminary votes on July 15, provide budget updates in August, and return the proposed budget for adoption on Sept. 23. The workshop concluded with staff offering one-on-one follow-ups and a series of more-detailed CIP workshops in November.
