Cape Coral City Hall was filled with frustrated homeowners eager to express their concerns over a proposed multi-million-dollar utility expansion project.
WINK News was inside the meeting Wednesday evening as tensions ran high between residents and city leaders.
The meeting became heated when the Utilities Expansion Project (UEP) was discussed. City leaders were met with confused and exasperated faces from the audience, some expressing their frustration with sighs and eye rolls.
Scotty Fizer, a longtime resident since 1970, shared his concerns about the rising cost of living in Cape Coral.
“Everything’s gone up, the gas, groceries, just the cost of living, and this is just going to add to it,” said Fizer.
Fizer and his neighbor Joseph Gibson, who live on Northeast 20th Avenue, are part of the North 1 East section of the utilities expansion project. For Gibson, this is his first experience with the UEP, and he expressed his dissatisfaction.
“I wish they wouldn’t mandatory make us get it. I wish we just had a choice. But it’s just you got no choice. How does that make you feel? Not very good,” said Gibson.
Gibson, along with dozens of neighbors, attended the city council meeting to voice their concerns about potentially being burdened with a $35,000 bill.
“It’s an unfair burden to people. Some people that have will probably have to sell their house and move because they can’t afford it,” said Gibson.
The community was visibly upset, whispering among themselves, taking notes, and capturing photos of the presentation. Councilman Derrick Donnell attempted to address their concerns.
“The number is high,” said Donnell.
City council is expected to finalize the assessments later this month. For many in the community, this decision could determine whether they stay in their homes or have to sell.