WEEK OF JUNE 18, 2025
VOLUME 63, NUMBER 31
DeSantis signs Lee County single-member district bill
By NATHAN MAYBERG
nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Sanibel fire board hears of tax valuations, boat By TIFFANY REPECKI
T
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
he Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s commission heard about the estimated property tax values and the possible purchase of a second rescue boat during its recent meeting, plus recent staff training. On June 11, Fire Chief Kevin Barbot reported that the Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office released the initial tax valuations for 2025 at the start of the month. According to the early estimates, the district’s assessed value
increased 1.05% — from about $4.69 billion in 2024 — to $4,737,839,000. “They’re not increasing as fast as we’d like to see them after (Hurricane) Ian,” he said. Barbot added that Hurricanes Milton and Helene last year did not help. “Our recovery is going to take a little bit longer,” he said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will allow Lee County voters to decide in 2026 if they want to elect the Lee County Board of County Commissioners by district. The bill, HB 4001 — Lee County, was introduced by state Rep. Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral. Currently, the commissioners Gov. Ron DeSantis are voted on atlarge by the voters in the county. If voters approve the change, commissioners will be voted on by only the voters registered in their district beginning in 2028. Voters See DESANTIS, page 18
ISLANDERINSIDE
See FIRE BOARD, page 18
Fire Chief Kevin Barbot
In partnership with the Captiva Island Fire Control District, Sanibel Fire and Rescue District crew members recently participated in a water rescue specialist course on the islands. SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
City council proceeds on proposed dredging project
By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Sanibel City Council took the first step in moving forward with a proposed special assessment and assessment district for a now reduced dredging project for the Wulfert Channel at its recent meeting. On June 12, the council voted 4-1 on a resolution declaring its intent to establish the Wulfert Channel Area Dredging Assessment District and a special assessment to finance public improvements for maintenance dredging within the channel. Councilmember Richard Johnson cast the
dissenting vote. Prior to the vote, city staff presented the council with two resolutions for consideration: one that covered just the Wulfert Channel, and the second including Sunset Bay and Dinkins Bayou. City Manager Dana Souza reported that based upon council’s direction at the prior week’s meeting, staff revised the options to delete establishing an annual assessment of $1,200 to create a fund to pay for any future maintenance dredging and to allow the assessments to be paid over up to five years.
He continued that the dredging area for the Wulfert Channel was also reduced to only the city’s jurisdictional boundaries, excluding the county’s area. As a result, the overall project cost dropped. For just the Wulfert Channel, the proposed cost is estimated at $446,065. As it has done with other dredging assessment districts, the city would pay 33.33% of the cost or $148,673.46. The remaining 66.67% or $2,127,206.36 would be split between 196 involved properties, for $1,517.30 each.
BOUTIQUE OFFICE, BIG RESULTS.
ALSOINSIDETODAY Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll...........................................4 Captiva Current...............................6 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island Living..................................14 Sports.........................................16
See COUNCIL, page 19
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