WEEK Of JULY 10, 2024
VOLUME 62, nUMBER 34
Tax roll values on Sanibel rise for an increase Captiva still sees jump with county By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
Preliminary property tax valuations for both islands have increased over the earlier estimates. The Lee County Property Appraiser's Office released its 2024 preliminary tax roll values on July 1, which now indicate a 1% rise for the city of Matt Caldwell Sanibel, along with a 12.80% jump for Captiva — as part of unincorporated Lee County. The valuations for both islands' fire district also increased this time. County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell attributed the upward shift to recovered properties that continue to be brought back on the tax roll following See TAX ROLL VALUES, page 20
IslanderInsIde
First leatherback nest in years hatches on Sanibel By STAFF REPORT
T
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
he Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that the first sea turtle nest documented on the islands for the 2024 season — which was laid by a leatherback — hatched last week.
A leatherback sea turtle nest — the first nest documented on the islands for the 2024 season and the first of its kind on Sanibel in four years — hatched last week, with 40 hatchlings emerging.
See LEATHERBACK, page 19
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Workshop to gather public feedback on resiliency and more By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The island community will have an opportunity to share its ideas on how Sanibel can build back stronger and more resilient and with enhanced connectivity during two events this week. Part of the Coastal Florida Recovery and Resiliency Partnership Project (R2P2), the City of Sanibel Design Workshop will take place today, July 10, and July 11-12 at The Community House on Sanibel.
R2P2 is a community-focused Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Disaster Recovery program providing technical assistance to support long-term resiliency through public engagement, design concepts and implementation strategies. The workshop will entail the following events: ∫ Today, July 10: Community Input Session from 6 to 8 p.m. The meeting will include a short presentation to introduce the R2P2 project,
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with discussion about how future improvements on Sanibel can increase resiliency and quality of life. Ideas for enhanced citywide connectivity will be explored, including potential opportunities in the Town Center and Sanibel Island Golf Course and improvements to canal seawalls and a new barge landing. It will be followed by an open house format where community members can review base maps, precedent imagery and “starter” design idea sketches and talk
Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island Living................................14 Sports.........................................16
See WORKSHOP, page 20
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