WEEK OF AUGUST 13, 2025
Volume 63, number 39
School board approves $2.7 billion budget
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
National Water Quality Month is a call to action By CJ HADDAD
T
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
he lifeblood of the Sunshine State — water and water quality — should always be at the forefront of decision making and a priority in local communities, environmental experts say. This year, the Florida Governmental Utility Authority and water utilities around the nation are celebrating the 20th anniversary of National Water Quality Month, which was founded in 2005 by the Environmental Protection Agency and backed by the United Nations. The goal of the
concerted annual campaign, which occurs every August, is to promote the value of the natural resource, encouraging action at the household and community level to ensure access to safe, clean drinking water for generations to come. Southwest Florida in particular relies on clean water to harbor endangered marine life, sustain local business, and bring in tourism dollars that greatly impact the economy. One of the biggest advocates for clean water in the region, the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
In a split vote, the county commission approved a proposed redevelopment plan for South Seas. At a Zoning and Comprehensive Plan Amendment Hearing on Aug. 6 in Fort Myers, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners considered a rezoning application from the Captiva resort. In its consideration, it reviewed a finding from Lee County Chief Hearing Examiner Donna Marie Collins, who recommended approval of the request with certain con-
ditions. Per the application, South Seas requested that about 120 acres be rezoned from Residential Multiple-Family, Marine Commercial and Two-Family Conservation to Mixed Use Planned Development to allow for “a maximum of 193 multiple-family dwelling units and 435 hotel units with accessory uses and structures, common infrastructure, and resort amenities.” A motion to approve the hearing examiner’s recommendation and the resort’s rezoning application, subject to
ISLANDERINSIDE
See WATER QUALITY, page 19
County board OKs rezoning for Captiva resort
By TIFFANY REPECKI
The Lee County School Board approved a tentative budget of $2.7 billion on July 29. The meeting was the first of two public hearings. The second and final budget hearing will be held on Sept. 9 at 5:05 p.m. The board approved the required local effort millage rate of 3.071, $498,608,981 to be raised; 0.0748 basic discretionary millage with $121,445,626 to be raised; and a capital outlay millage of 1.500 to raise $243,540,694 for a total millage rate of 5.319 to raise $863,595,301. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed taxable property valuation. The required local effort property tax See SCHOOL BOARD, page 20
the 20 outlined conditions, passed 3-1. Vice Chairman Cecil Pendergrass and Commissioners Mike Greenwell and Brian Hamman voted in favor, while Chairman Kevin Ruane voted against it. Commissioner David Mulicka was not in attendance. Prior to its discussion and vote, the board heard from the legal team, consultants and officials for South Seas, as well as Captiva and Sanibel officials and attorneys, organizations and citizens in opposition. See REZONING, page 20
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