Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tourist Development Tax topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nancy McPhee outlines Lee County beach, park and paddling-trail projects funded by tourist tax
Summary
Nancy McPhee, Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau beach and shoreline program manager, described how the county’s tourist development tax funds beach renourishment, park repairs and the Calusa Blue Way paddling trail, and listed projects supported in fiscal year 26.
Nancy McPhee, beach and shoreline program manager for the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, told county officials that the tourist development tax funds beach renourishment, park maintenance and other visitor-facing projects across Lee County.
"Finally, 26.4% of it goes to the beach and shoreline program," McPhee said, explaining that the tax is allocated three ways: marketing Lee County, maintaining two spring-training facilities, and supporting the beach-and-shoreline program.
McPhee described how the beach and shoreline share is used. "We use that to renourish beaches, to maintain our beach park facilities, and to build new," she said, adding that large nourishment projects typically take place every five to 10 years and are often cost-shared with cities, the state and federal government.
She listed specific projects funded in fiscal year 26, saying the county supported repairs to the Fort Myers Beach Pier and work at Crescent Beach Park and Lynn Hall Park on Fort Myers Beach (including new restrooms). McPhee also said the Sanibel Fishing Pier recently received funding.
McPhee emphasized that shoreline parks benefit both visitors and residents, citing Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve and Caloosahatchee Regional Park as examples that provide river access for recreational use.
She highlighted the Calusa Blue Way paddling trail as a county asset: "This is a 198 mile paddling trail that began in 2003, and it goes from Bonita all the way up to Boca Grande," McPhee said, noting the trail brings paddlers who may stay in local hotels and cottages.
On visitor statistics and tax mechanics, McPhee said, "Did you know that in 2025, 3,300,000 visitors spent 3,300,000,000 here in Lee County tours development tax, which is the 5% tax on accommodations rented for 6 months or less in Lee County." That phrase is recorded verbatim in the transcript; she also stated the tourist development tax is 5% on short-term accommodations.
McPhee encouraged residents to review funded projects at leevcb.com and described regular community activities such as beach cleanups with Keep Lee County Beautiful. She said she has been a Lee County resident for 36 years and closed by thanking visitors for supporting the local economy.
