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Council votes to advertise 10% stormwater assessment increase for public hearing
Summary
After lengthy debate about taxpayer impacts and alternatives up to 25%, the Fort Myers City Council voted to advertise a 10% maximum stormwater assessment for public notice, allowing the council to lower (but not raise) the amount at the Sept. 4 public hearing.
The council voted Aug. 5 to advertise a preliminary stormwater assessment that would set a maximum 10% increase for next year's stormwater assessment notices. Director Tenney said the assessment is based on impervious surface area and that the average single‑family assessment of $117.60 would rise by $11.76 to $129.36 under the 10% scenario.
Tenney told council the advertised figure is the maximum that can be noticed and could be lowered after a public hearing on Sept. 4. “What is before you tonight is a recommendation of a 10% increase…This is basically a maximum amount of what their assessment will look like,” he said. Councilmembers debated broader taxpayer impacts because staff also presented alternative scenarios, including a 25% option, and raised concerns about hiking multiple assessments (stormwater, fire, water/sewer, solid waste) at once.
After an unsuccessful motion to advertise a higher scenario and an earlier failed motion to advertise no change, the council ultimately approved staff’s 10% recommendation by roll call. The roll call produced a narrow majority in favor; staff emphasized the figure can be lowered at the public hearing but cannot be increased once noticed.
