Week of APrIl 17, 2024
Volume 62, number 22
Local officials welcome FEMA’s ‘pause’ decision By VALARIE HARRING
vharring@breezenewspapers.com
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's announcement that it will pause a decision that would result in the loss of a 25% discount for most flood insurance policy holders in Lee County was welcomed by area officials on April 9. “We are committed to helping communities take appropriate remediation actions to participate in the Community Rating System and remain in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program,” FEMA said in a release on April 8. “Each of the five communities will have an additional 30 days to gather requested documentation to help retain their standing in the Community Rating System.” On March 28, FEMA notified the county and four of its municipalities that it was “retrograding” their Community Rating System class from a 5 to a 10, thereby removing benefits residents receive for their National Flood Insurance Program policies. The cities of Sanibel and Fort Myers were not affected. See femA, page 20
Earth Day BioBlitz aims to inventory local biodiversity By STAFF REPORT
T
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
he Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Coastal Watch and Sanibel Sea School will hold an inaugural Earth Day BioBlitz on April 21-27 across the county in recognition of Earth Week. “Together, let's celebrate our planet's incredible biodiversity and work towards a more sustainable future,” the SCCF shared. “Simply head out to explore Lee County and surrounding areas,
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snap photos of the wildlife you encounter and upload them to SCCF's iNaturalist project.” The community science-driven, weeklong event surrounding Earth Day on April 22 will encourage people to get out and observe the wildlife — birds, fish, molluscs, mammals, plants, reptiles, amphibians — they see in the county and then submit their photo observations to the SCCF's project. “All you need is your keen observation skills, your smartphone See eArTH DAY, page 18
Fire board OKs construction services for new station, more By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District's commission approved three resolutions and three district policies at its recent meeting, as well as received a financial update and discussed holiday fireworks. On April 10, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution to negotiate and execute a contract with the architectural firm Schenkel & Shultz for the construction
fire Chief kevin barbot
phase services for Station 172 on SanibelCaptiva Road in an amount not to exceed $201,390.50. “This is part of the process and a standard service,” Fire Chief Kevin Barbot said before the vote. The commission also voted 3-0 on a resolution to amend the carry forward funds in the fiscal year 2024 budget to
equal the audited fiscal year 2023 fund balance, which will show the following adjustments: ∫ The carrying forward and allocation of the district's 2022-23 fiscal year end fund balance in the amount of $10,555,387. The total adjustment required is an increase of $127,596. ∫ Add impact fee expenditure of $100,000 for the brush truck. ∫ Add Lee County Board of County Commissioners lease agreement income to intergovernmental income at $43,079.68. See fIre boArD, page 18
alsOInsIdetOday Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island living................................14 Sports.........................................16 Classifieds 35
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