WEEk Of JULY 12, 2023
VOLUME 61, NUMBER 34
Property tax values on Sanibel dive even deeper Captiva still sees bump with county By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
Preliminary property tax valuations for Sanibel have dropped further over the earlier estimates. The Lee County Property Appraiser's Office released its preliminary tax roll values on July 3, which reflect a 33.46% decease for Sanibel, but a 6.67% increase for Captiva as part of unincorporated Lee County. The early figures from June showed a 30.85% drop and a 5.21% rise, respectively, for each. Preliminary property valuations for the islands' fire districts also decreased over 2022.
By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
he Community House will hold a Community Shredding Day this weekend for the islands. It will take place on July 15 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Sanibel Community Association's north lot on Sanibel, located across from Periwinkle Way at the theater. The cost is $5 per box or grocery bag. “This is a recurring event that takes place almost quarterly,” TCH Admin Specialist France Paulsen said, noting that it is a safe and secure method of disposal. “It's a great thing to do for the community.” TCH brings in Secure Shredding, which is based out of Cape Coral. “They help the folks by taking their
T
See PROPERTY TAX, page 18
IslanderInsIde THE COMMUNITY HOUSE
bags and boxes and they shred them right there in-person,” she said. “So people can watch as their documents and items are being shredded.”
Statements, credit card receipts, checks or anything with personal information can be shredded. See DOCUMENTS, page 18
Elected superintendent will change school board dynamic By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
The School Board of Lee County was recently advised of what little control it will have over an elected superintendent. Florida School Boards Association Chief Executive Officer Andrea Messina said in her 23 years now being associated with school districts statewide, this is the first time a district has switched from an appointed to an elected superintendent, which led to an examining some changes to provide the support the district needs for the transi-
tion. Lee County voters approved the change via a referendum in November. The measure, which was placed on the ballot by the State Legislature and was opposed by the board, passed with 62.15 percent of the voters in favor, making the superintendent’s post another elected constitutional office as of the 2024 General Election. The existing system of having the superintendent appointed by the school board had been approved by Lee voters in 1974. The elected superintendent will serve
a four-year term. Among the of 13,568 school districts in the country, two states have elected superintendents with 37 school districts in Alabama and 38 in Florida electing their top administrator. That equates to 99.923 percent of superintendents being appointed and .077 percent elected, Messina said. As a result of the voter mandate, the qualifications will change for an elected superintendent. The only qualifications will be that they must live in the district See SCHOOL BOARD, page 19
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