Week oF June 12, 2024
Volume 62, number 30
Tax roll values on Sanibel drop again post-Ian Captiva sees increase with county By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
Initial property tax valuations for Sanibel have decreased over 2023 for the second consecutive year. The Lee County Property Appraiser's Office released its preliminary estimated tax roll values last week, which indicate a 1.80% drop for the city of Sanibel, but a 9.65% increase for Captiva as part of unincorporated Lee County. Initial valuations for the fire districts also varied depending on island. “While countywide values are mostly flat, the localized value estimates remain impacted by the recovery from Hurricane Ian,” county Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell said in a statement. According to the estimates, the city's See TAX roll VAlueS, page 18
Legion to retire old flags during annual ceremony By TIFFANY REPECKI
A
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
merican Legion Post 123 will host a ceremony this week in recognition of Flag Day and the community is invited to attend, as well as bring any American flags that need to be retired.
IslanderInsIde
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day to commemorate the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. On June 14, the Legion will hold its annual Flag Day Flag Retirement Ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. outside. See FlAG CeremonY, page 18
City council signs off on SUP plan, police ranger positions By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Sanibel City Council approved the updated Shared Use Path Master Plan at its recent meeting, along with filling up to five positions at the Sanibel Police Department for its Ranger Program. On June 4, the council voted unanimously 5-0 to accept the draft plan as presented. The agenda packet for the updated plan included recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, which were not incorporated into the final draft. In a second motion, the council
voted 5-0 for the suggestions to go back to the committee for prioritization as a list of improvements, while also taking public input into consideration, for possible adoption as an addendum to the plan. Prior to the votes, Planning Director Paula McMichael provided some background. According to staff reports, the original plan was adopted in 2009. The city started an update in 2019, but work was delayed due to the pandemic and other priorities. In 2022, city staff requested assistance from the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization to
complete the plan and a consultant was brought in. The timeline for completion was about six months, but work was delayed by the hurricane. County MPO consultant Chris Keller, of Benesch, presented the updated plan to the council. He reported that they reviewed the existing Shared Use Path system and the purpose of the update is to establish a blueprint for the future of the system. Updates to the plan included: improvements completed in the past 10 years; obtaining user feedback; options to See CounCIl, page 19
alsOInsIdetOday Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island living................................14 Sports.........................................16 Classifieds 31
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