>> IF YOU COUNT ON GULF COAST NEWS AT 6 ON NBC. >> 6 A LEE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER SAYS CAPE CORAL IS NOW THE MOST EXPENSIVE CITY TO LIVE IN LEE COUNTY. >> GOOD EVENING. I’M PETER BUSCH AND I’M KELLIE BURNS. IF YOU LIVE IN THE CAPE, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED A HEFTY INCREASE IN YOUR PROPERTY TAXES. GULF COAST NEWS CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER DAVE ELIAS BREAKS DOWN WHY IT COSTS SO MUCH MORE TO LIVE IN OUR REGION’S LARGEST CITY. >> WELL, IF YOU’VE BEEN TO YOUR MAILBOX, YOU’VE PROBABLY NOTICED YOUR PROPERTY TAXES. AND IF YOU LIVE IN CAPE CORAL, THEY’VE GONE UP AND I’LL SHOW YOU WHY. THIS IS A CAPE CORAL TAX BILL. YOU CAN SEE THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER PAYING NEARLY $500 A YEAR FOR THE FIRE SERVICE ASSESSMENT. I DON’T THINK WE GET THE SERVICES WE DESERVE FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY. STEVE CALLS NOT HAPPY WITH HIS PROPERTY. TAXES HAVE A MODEST HOME IN MY TAXES ARE OVER $4,000 A YEAR. THAT’S ABOUT AVERAGE, THOUGH, IN CAPE CORAL. HOWEVER, HOMES VALUED AT MORE PAY MORE. YES, I CAN UNDERSTAND PEOPLE BOUGHT THEIR HOUSE LIKE DURING COVID. >> WHEN VALUES OF THE HOMES WERE PRETTY HIGH. COUNCILMEMBER RACHEL NOTING KEEP TAXES ARE HIGHER BECAUSE OF ASSESSMENTS. SOLID WASTE WENT UP. STORM WATER WENT UP AND LOT MOWING WENT UP AND THE BIGGEST INCREASE WAS WITH THE CITY’S FIRE SERVICE TAX. >> IT ALONE JUMPED 11% THIS YEAR. THAT MEANS THAT 81% OF OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS FUNDED JUST SPECIFICALLY THROUGH THIS ASSESSMENT, LEAVING HOMEOWNERS TO PICK UP THE TAB. I’M A HOMEOWNER HERE IN CAPE CORAL AND WE ALL HAVE TO PICK UP THE WEEK BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE THE COMMERCIAL TAX BASE. COUNCILMEMBER JENNIFER NELSON SAYS IT’S ALL PART OF THE CITY’S GROWING PAINS. FORT MYERS IS ALREADY BUILT OUT. NEED IS ALREADY BUILT OUT. THEY’VE ALREADY HAVE THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE. A COMMERCIAL TAX, THOUGH, COULD HELP ALLEVIATE THE HIGH TAX BURDEN. NELSON SAYS THAT COULD EVENTUALLY COME. WE’RE STILL BUILDING. WE ARE ABOUT 50% BUILT OUT RIGHT NOW. THE TAXPAYERS HERE ARE HOPING TO SEE PROPERTY TAXES REDUCED OR EVEN ELIMINATED. AS THE GOVERNOR HAS SUGGESTED, I WOULD SUPPORT IT FOR SURE TO ACTUALLY GET RID OF IT FOR HOMESTEAD HOMES. >> AND, YOU KNOW, STILL TAX TSONGAS, A CAN FIND A WAY TO FUND THE NECESSARY THINGS WE NEED UNTIL THEN TAXPAYERS ARE FORCED TO START FORKING OVER THE CASH AND THEY HAVE UNTIL MARCH 31ST TO P
Cape Coral becomes most expensive city in Lee County due to rising property taxes
Updated: 7:12 PM EST Nov 7, 2025
Cape Coral has officially become the most expensive city to live in within Lee County, with residents noticing a significant increase in their property taxes, largely due to assessments for fire services and other municipal costs.Steve Qualls, a Cape Coral resident, expressed dissatisfaction with the property taxes, saying, “I don’t think we get the services we deserve for that kind of money.” He added, “I have a modest home and my taxes are over $4,000 a year.”Council member Rachel Kaduk explained that Cape Coral’s taxes are higher due to various assessments, stating, “Solid waste went up, storm water went up and lot mowing went up.” She noted that the city’s fire service tax saw the biggest increase, jumping 11% this year, and said, “That means that 81% of our fire department is funded specifically through this assessment.”Kaduk, who is also a homeowner in Cape Coral, highlighted the lack of a commercial tax base, saying, “We all have to pick up the weight because we don’t have the commercial tax base.”Council member Jennifer Nelson attributed the high tax burden to Cape Coral’s ongoing development, noting, “Fort Myers is already built out, Bonita is already built out. They already have their infrastructure in place.” She suggested that a commercial tax could eventually help alleviate the burden, saying, “We’re still building. We’re about 50% built out right now.”Taxpayers are hopeful for a reduction or elimination of property taxes, as suggested by the governor. Qualls said, “I would support it for sure if they actually get rid of it for homesteaded homes and still tax businesses.” Peggy Talbot, another resident, added, “As long as they could find a way to fund the necessary things we need.”Until changes are made, taxpayers must pay their property taxes in full by March 31.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 has officially become the most expensive city to live in within Lee County, with residents noticing a significant increase in their property taxes, largely due to assessments for fire services and other municipal costs.
Steve Qualls, a Cape Coral resident, expressed dissatisfaction with the property taxes, saying, “I don’t think we get the services we deserve for that kind of money.” He added, “I have a modest home and my taxes are over $4,000 a year.”
Council member Rachel Kaduk explained that Cape Coral’s taxes are higher due to various assessments, stating, “Solid waste went up, storm water went up and lot mowing went up.” She noted that the city’s fire service tax saw the biggest increase, jumping 11% this year, and said, “That means that 81% of our fire department is funded specifically through this assessment.”
Kaduk, who is also a homeowner in Cape Coral, highlighted the lack of a commercial tax base, saying, “We all have to pick up the weight because we don’t have the commercial tax base.”
Council member Jennifer Nelson attributed the high tax burden to Cape Coral’s ongoing development, noting, “Fort Myers is already built out, Bonita is already built out. They already have their infrastructure in place.” She suggested that a commercial tax could eventually help alleviate the burden, saying, “We’re still building. We’re about 50% built out right now.”
Taxpayers are hopeful for a reduction or elimination of property taxes, as suggested by the governor. Qualls said, “I would support it for sure if they actually get rid of it for homesteaded homes and still tax businesses.”
Peggy Talbot, another resident, added, “As long as they could find a way to fund the necessary things we need.”
Until changes are made, taxpayers must pay their property taxes in full by March 31.
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.