State lawmakers who represent Lee County in Tallahassee listened as local officials peppered them with funding requests at their annual meeting — from a comprehensive Midtown redevelopment project in Fort Myers to improvements at a community swimming pool in Bonita Springs.
The Lee County Legislative Delegation convened at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers for the Oct. 28 meeting, a process that plays out in counties across Florida in advance of the 2026 state legislative session beginning Jan. 13.
The meeting gives the delegation a chance to consider local bills and hear from the leaders of area governments about what they need from the state in 2026. In all, 48 officials and members of the public from across Lee County were each given 90 seconds to address the eight-member delegation.
The speakers included Lee Commission Vice Chair Cecil Pendergrass and mayors from the county’s six municipalities.
Pendergrass sought the delegation’s support for infrastructure needed to accommodate Lee County’s population growth. That includes $2.65 million to expand the District 21 Medical Examiner’s Office services, $5 million in repairs for the Fort Myers Beach Water Reclamation Facility, $5 million for a Sunshine Boulevard extension in Lehigh Acres, $5 million for a shared-use path along Pine Ridge Road as part of the statewide SUN Trail network and a variety of utility expansion projects.
Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson asked for support on five projects, including a comprehensive Midtown infrastructure and redevelopment initiative.
“This project is an important catalyst for redevelopment, preparing the way for new businesses, residents and economic growth,” he said.
He also asked the delegation to support a wastewater treatment plant, Calusa Nature Center restoration, a new fire station and a citywide septic-to-sewer program. About 500 properties in the city are still on septic systems, Anderson said.
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers asked for funds to help the community continue to recover from recent hurricanes, including restoring the town’s historic elementary school building.
“I think it’s a piece of history people need to remember — that it put people in seats where you sit, where I sit and even higher,” he said.
Sanibel Mayor Mike Miller sought funding for ongoing hurricane recovery. He also asked the delegation to commit to the second half of a $5 million funding request made last year to repair the island’s shared-use paths.
Members of the Lee County Legislative Delegation listen as local leaders present funding priorities Oct. 28 at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers. The eight-member delegation advanced two local bills for the 2026 session.
Evan Williams
“The path system is important for our residents, but it’s also a significant attraction to visitors and important for the restoration of our island economy,” he said.
Bonita Springs Mayor Mike Gibson sought support to build a new emergency response center and for a bicycle and pedestrian improvement project along Paradise Road, beautification of the Bonita Beach Road–Imperial Parkway gateway and expansion of the city’s community pool.
Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter asked for support with the city’s utility projects aimed at shoring up irrigation water resources to meet future needs. Gunter also noted the city’s need to widen parts of Pine Island Road and Burnt Store Road, two crucial hurricane evacuation routes.
Estero Mayor Joanne Ribble outlined proposals to create alternative irrigation water sources and conserve groundwater supplies.
“As you know, coming out of rainy season we are already in a deficit,” she said.
Estero also seeks to connect its Sunny Grove neighborhood to community wastewater and sewer lines to improve water quality. An intersection along Williams Road west of U.S. 41 also needs improvements to eliminate illegal left turns and reduce traffic backups.
Lee County bills advanced for 2026 session
The Lee Delegation voted to advance two local bills for consideration in the 2026 session.
The first, sponsored by District 80 Rep. Adam Botana, would add a referendum to the November 2026 ballot on merging the Iona-McGregor Fire Protection and Rescue Service District with the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District. District 78 Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka cast the only dissenting vote, raising questions about how the merger would improve service and what it would cost taxpayers. The delegation is still waiting on the results of an estimated $80,000 study designed to show whether services such as 911 response times would be improved by the merger and whether it would require residents to pay higher property taxes.
The second bill, sponsored by District 79 Rep. Mike Giallombardo, would add two members to the nine-member Lee County Tourist Development Council, to be appointed by the Lee County Commission. The council advises the commission on how to use tourist tax dollars. The bill would add one municipal seat and one private-sector seat to the council. It also would rotate municipal seats yearly instead of once every two years. Private-sector seats on the council would remain without term limits.
Lee County Legislative Delegation
The delegation includes Chair and District 77 Rep. Tiffany Esposito, District 27 Sen. Ben Albritton, District 33 Sen. Jonathan Martin, District 28 Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, District 78 Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, District 79 Rep. Mike Giallombardo, District 80 Rep. Adam Botana and District 76 Rep. Vanessa Oliver.