Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn says the city is prepared for full transparency as it faces a state audit following concerns raised by the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association (CCCIA).This isn’t the city’s first state audit — the last one was in 2006. The CCCIA, which represents hundreds of local builders and contractors, sent a letter to lawmakers three months ago claiming the city’s building division may be inflating permit fees and misusing funds. They said many contractors and builders are frustrated with the way permits are handled. “We understand that contractors sometimes experience frustration with the permitting,” Ilczyszyn said. “Any regulatory process, we as an organization experience them ourselves, bout out goal is to make sure that we can understand those and implement best management practices.” The association also alleges the city has violated state law by using building division revenues for unrelated expenses.In an interview inside City Hall, Ilczyszyn said several city departments reviewed the CCCIA’s 26 assertions. He stressed that most of the financial claims predate his tenure as city manager.”Most of the financial assertions that are raised in the letter to our state representatives are from years prior to me even being city manager,” Ilczyszyn said. “We will provide full transparency so that the residents and the contractors paying for those services know that they’re getting it with the confidence and trust that we provide.”The city said surplus funds from 2014, when the building department made $4 million and spent just under $2.7 million, were used for technology upgrades. Despite years of surpluses, the building division fund is projected to run a deficit in 2025.The CCCIA emphasized that its audit request is based on documented, first-hand experiences and is intended to improve processes rather than create confrontation.The Florida Auditor General’s Office confirmed the audit could begin early next year and may take about a year to complete. Ilczyszyn expressed confidence that the city’s internal review provides the auditors with the information they need.”Our goal is to understand these issues and implement best management practices,” Ilczyszyn said.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 City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn says the city is prepared for full transparency as it faces a state audit following concerns raised by the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association (CCCIA).

This isn’t the city’s first state audit — the last one was in 2006.

The CCCIA, which represents hundreds of local builders and contractors, sent a letter to lawmakers three months ago claiming the city’s building division may be inflating permit fees and misusing funds.

They said many contractors and builders are frustrated with the way permits are handled.

“We understand that contractors sometimes experience frustration with the permitting,” Ilczyszyn said. “Any regulatory process, we as an organization experience them ourselves, bout out goal is to make sure that we can understand those and implement best management practices.”

The association also alleges the city has violated state law by using building division revenues for unrelated expenses.

In an interview inside City Hall, Ilczyszyn said several city departments reviewed the CCCIA’s 26 assertions. He stressed that most of the financial claims predate his tenure as city manager.

“Most of the financial assertions that are raised in the letter to our state representatives are from years prior to me even being city manager,” Ilczyszyn said. “We will provide full transparency so that the residents and the contractors paying for those services know that they’re getting it with the confidence and trust that we provide.”

The city said surplus funds from 2014, when the building department made $4 million and spent just under $2.7 million, were used for technology upgrades. Despite years of surpluses, the building division fund is projected to run a deficit in 2025.

The CCCIA emphasized that its audit request is based on documented, first-hand experiences and is intended to improve processes rather than create confrontation.

The Florida Auditor General’s Office confirmed the audit could begin early next year and may take about a year to complete. Ilczyszyn expressed confidence that the city’s internal review provides the auditors with the information they need.

“Our goal is to understand these issues and implement best management practices,” Ilczyszyn said.

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.