KNEW ONE OF THE BROTHERS NAMES BECAUSE THEY PLAN TO USE THE CASH APP. >> SOME LEADERS IN CAPE CORAL ARE WORRIED ABOUT PAYING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OTHER CRUCIAL SERVICES THAT YOU COUNT ON RIGHT NOW. SEVERAL BILLS ARE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD REDUCE OR ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAXES. THESE TAXES REPRESENT ABOUT 40% OF THE CITY’S TAX BASE. CURRENTLY BRINGING IN MORE THAN 60 MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR. TONIGHT. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER DAVE ELIAS IS IN THE CAPE WITH HOW YOU COULD END UP PAYING FOR IT IN THE END. >> WHILE HERE ALONG PINE ISLAND ROAD, THERE IS A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IN CAPE CORAL AND WE’RE STARTING TO SEE PROJECTS LIKE THIS POP UP ALL OVER THE CITY, EVEN THOUGH THERE’S STILL A LOT OF LAND TO BE DEVELOPED. IN FACT, BY 2040, THEY’RE SAYING THE CAPE CORAL WILL LIKELY HAVE ANOTHER 100,000 PEOPLE HERE AND WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ELIMINATING OR REDUCING PROPERTY TAXES THAT’S CREATING CONCERN. OUR CITY IS 90% AD VALOREM TAX BASE CURRENTLY. >> AND OUT OF THAT 54%, ARE HOMESTEAD. IT. >> THAT MEANS THAT FULL-TIME RESIDENTS PAY LESS IN PROPERTY TAXES. BUT NOW THE STATE WANTS TO FURTHER REDUCE OR EVEN ELIMINATE THAT TAX. THE MONEY IS GOING TO HAVE TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE TO BE ABLE TO FUND THOSE SERVICES. COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER NELSON LAST REST SUGGEST WAYS IT COULD BE MADE UP WHETHER IT’S SOME FORM OF THE FEE. >> OR AN ASSESSMENT DIRECTLY IMPACTING PUBLIC SERVICE LIKE FIRE AND POLICE CALLS FOR SERVICE ARE GOING UP. THE DEMANDS ARE GOING UP AND THE CAPE STILL GROWING. POLICE CHIEF ANTHONY SIZEMORE TELLING ME HE NEEDS DOZENS OF MORE POLICE OFFICERS ALREADY JUST IN UNIFORM PERSONNEL AND LOOKING 25 NEW POSITIONS JUST TO KEEP US ON PACE AS THE CITY’S POPULATION IS SET TO HIT 260,000 BY 2030, PUBLIC SAFETY IS AT THE TOP. WE WANT TO TOPS 10 SAFEST AND THEN IN FLORIDA, COUNCILMEMBER DR DEREK DARNELL AND OTHERS NOW LOOKING AT WAYS TO KEEP THE FUNDING GOING. SO THERE’S JUST BALANCING ACT. WE HAVE TO COMMUNICATE. >> YEAH, SO CONCERNED WITH HOW FAST THIS HAPPENING NOW, THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL, LIKE MANY COMMUNITIES WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES WITH PROPERTY TAXES. AND WE, OF COURSE, WILL BE CLOSELY FOLLOWING TH
Cape Coral leaders express concern over property tax proposals
Updated: 7:18 PM EST Jan 29, 2026
Cape Coral leaders are concerned about proposed state legislation that could reduce or eliminate property taxes, potentially affecting funding for essential services like first responders.Jennifer Nelson-Lastra, District 4 Councilmember, highlighted the city’s reliance on ad valorem taxes, noting, “Our city is 90% is ad valorem tax base currently and out of that 90% — 54% are homesteaded.” She explained that full-time residents pay less in property taxes, and the state now aims to further reduce or eliminate this tax. “The money is going to have to come from somewhere to be able to fund those services,” Nelson-Lastra said, suggesting alternatives like fees or assessments.Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore emphasized the growing demand for public services, stating, “The calls for service are going up, the demands are going up and the Cape is still growing.” He noted the need for additional personnel, saying, “Just in uniformed personnel, I’m looking at 25 new positions just to keep us on pace,” as the city’s population is projected to reach 260,000 by 2030.District 3 Councilmember Dr. Derrick Darnell underscored the importance of public safety, saying, “Public safety is at the top. We’re one of the safest in Florida.” He and other officials are exploring ways to maintain funding, acknowledging, “It’s a balancing act. We have to communicate with how fast it is happening.”The city of Cape Coral, like many others, is waiting to see what the legislature decides regarding property taxes, and the situation will be closely followed throughout the legislative session.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Cape Coral leaders are concerned about proposed state legislation that could reduce or eliminate property taxes, potentially affecting funding for essential services like first responders.
Jennifer Nelson-Lastra, District 4 Councilmember, highlighted the city’s reliance on ad valorem taxes, noting, “Our city is 90% is ad valorem tax base currently and out of that 90% — 54% are homesteaded.” She explained that full-time residents pay less in property taxes, and the state now aims to further reduce or eliminate this tax. “The money is going to have to come from somewhere to be able to fund those services,” Nelson-Lastra said, suggesting alternatives like fees or assessments.
Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore emphasized the growing demand for public services, stating, “The calls for service are going up, the demands are going up and the Cape is still growing.” He noted the need for additional personnel, saying, “Just in uniformed personnel, I’m looking at 25 new positions just to keep us on pace,” as the city’s population is projected to reach 260,000 by 2030.
District 3 Councilmember Dr. Derrick Darnell underscored the importance of public safety, saying, “Public safety is at the top. We’re one of the safest in Florida.” He and other officials are exploring ways to maintain funding, acknowledging, “It’s a balancing act. We have to communicate with how fast it is happening.”
The city of Cape Coral, like many others, is waiting to see what the legislature decides regarding property taxes, and the situation will be closely followed throughout the legislative session.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.