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<\/a>City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn released his\u00a0Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget<\/a>, presenting a structurally balanced financial plan that maintains essential services, supports long\u2011term financial sustainability, and continues strategic investment in Cape Coral\u2019s future.<\/p>\nThe $1.451 Billion proposed budget, which includes a $285 Million structurally balanced General Fund, is built on the rolled\u2011back millage rate of 5.1988 and aligns with the City\u2019s Strategic Plan while addressing slowing taxable value growth, inflationary and labor cost pressures, and critical infrastructure needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget is designed to preserve the essential services our residents rely on every day while recognizing the increasingly restrictive financial environment in which we are operating,\u201d said City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn. \u201cBy utilizing the rolled\u2011back millage rate, keeping the General Fund structurally balanced, and investing in critical infrastructure and public safety, we are taking a disciplined, long\u2011term approach to managing the City\u2019s finances as voters consider additional property tax limitations that could impact revenues in the years ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
ADVANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESILIENCE<\/p>\n
Public safety remains a top priority in FY27, with significant new investments across police, fire, and emergency management services, including\u00a0$97.7 Million\u00a0for the Police Department,\u00a0$97.6 Million\u00a0for the Fire Department, and\u00a0$2.4 Million\u00a0for Emergency Management and Resilience.<\/p>\n
Investments in Cape Coral\u2019s police services support personnel growth, facility enhancements, and the addition of cutting-edge technology and equipment:<\/p>\n
$81.2 Million\u00a0allocated to police personnel services
\n$2.6 Million\u00a0to replace aging police department vehicles
\n$1.7 Million\u00a0in facilities equipment replacements
\n$180,000\u00a0for new police speed measuring devices
\n$175,000\u00a0for a Crisis Negotiation Team Van
\n$150,000\u00a0for Aggressive Drive Unit Vehicles
\n$103,000\u00a0for\u00a0Dispatch Workstation Replacement
\n$28,000\u00a0for K-9 replacement<\/p>\n
The budget\u00a0maintains the Fire Service Assessment at 81 percent.<\/p>\n
The budget includes key investments to strengthen Cape Coral\u2019s fire services, focusing on staffing, facilities, training, and safety upgrades, including:<\/p>\n
$62.1 Million\u00a0allocated to fire personnel services
\n$2 Million\u00a0in equipment and facilities needs
\n$1.5 Million\u00a0for Fire Station 14 Apparatus
\n$1.2 Million\u00a0for Fire Station 14 Design
\n$750,000\u00a0in Cardiac Monitors for Advance Life Support Station Replacements
\n$317,000\u00a0to replace aging fire department vehicles<\/p>\n
The budget includes strengthening emergency operations and improving weather event resilience, including:<\/p>\n
$8 Million\u00a0disaster reserve to provide temporary resources in the event of a federal- or state-declared emergency
\n$1.6 Million\u00a0for Master Pump Generators<\/p>\n
FISCAL HEALTH<\/p>\n
Cape Coral is committed to maintaining strong fiscal health by enhancing the City\u2019s resilience to economic fluctuations and disaster response, including:<\/p>\n
$62.7 Million\u00a0for the Budget Sustainability Reserve, which is equal to 2.9\u00a0months of FY27 proposed General Fund expenditures. This reserve will bolster future fiscal resilience and support innovative initiatives, including sustainability-focused projects and is 0.1 months shy of the three-month reserve policy.<\/p>\n
MODERNIZING INFRASTRUCTURE: ROADS, BRIDGES, AND CONNECTIVITY<\/p>\n
The FY27 Proposed Budget includes major infrastructure upgrades, reflecting Cape Coral\u2019s commitment to equitable access, mobility, and resilience, including:<\/p>\n
$12.9 Million\u00a0for road repaving, including alleyways,\u00a0funded by gas tax, and water and sewer funds
\n$3.1 Million\u00a0for the Andalusia Boulevard Extension
\n$1.9 Million\u00a0in Bridge Rehabilitation
\n$1.2 Million\u00a0for City Hall Building Maintenance
\n$700,000\u00a0for median curbing
\n$510,000\u00a0Turn Lane\/Signal\/Access Management as a part of Road Resurfacing
\n$200,000\u00a0for ADA upgrades as part of road resurfacing<\/p>\n
UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE<\/p>\n
Cape Coral remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. The FY27 budget includes capital improvements and facility expansions to meet the demands of a growing population, including:<\/p>\n
$400 Million\u00a0for the North Water Reclamation Facility
\n$37.1 Million\u00a0for North 3 UEP water, sewer, irrigation transmission, collection and distribution
\n$16 Million\u00a0for Everest Headworks
\n$15.5 Million\u00a0for the North Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant Wellfield expansion phase II
\n$3.1 Million\u00a0for water reclamation lift station relocations and generator replacement
\n$2.2 Million\u00a0for wastewater inflow and infiltration
\n$1.9 Million\u00a0for the Water Reclamation North South Transfer Pump station
\n$1 Million\u00a0for the South Reverse Osmosis Plant Ground Storage Tank Coating<\/p>\n
INVESTING IN QUALITY OF LIFE<\/p>\n
Cape Coral continues to invest significantly in its parks and recreation infrastructure to provide enhanced amenities and improved facilities for residents, including:<\/p>\n
$3.3 Million\u00a0for Coral Oaks Golf Course operations
\n$1.5 Million\u00a0for the replacement of the lighting at the Northwest Softball Complex for Fields 1-5
\n$1.5 Million\u00a0for playground replacements at Strausser BMX Sports Complex and Rotary Park
\n$266,000\u00a0for fitness station replacements at Joe Stonis Park
\n$245,000\u00a0in Parking lot improvements including sealcoating, curb stops, striping at various parks
\n$140,000\u00a0for Tennis\/Pickleball\/Basketball Court resurfacing at Jim Jeffers Park and Burton Park
\n$100,000\u00a0for Lake Kennedy Senior Center lobby renovation<\/p>\n
In addition to facility improvements, Cape Coral prioritizes personnel support, beautification efforts, and diverse community programming, including:\u00a0<\/p>\n
$18.3 Million\u00a0allocated to Parks and Recreation personnel services to support additional recreation staff, including\u00a02 Park Rangers and 5.93 Contract program positions,\u00a0an increase of nearly\u00a0$1.5 Million\u00a0from the\u00a0FY26\u00a0adopted budget.
\n$1.8\u00a0Million\u00a0for city special events, such as Red, White & BOOM, Bike Night, and Holiday Nights on the Lawn.
\n$1.7\u00a0Million\u00a0for the Frieda B. Smith Special Populations Center for adults and children with intellectual disabilities
\n$741,360\u00a0for community median maintenance
\n$419,636\u00a0to operate Pops Cafe, which employs members of the community with special needs
\nYouth and Senior programming:<\/p>\n
$2 Million\u00a0for programming at the Youth Center
\n$317,513\u00a0to operate VPK programs at the Youth Center and Four Freedoms Park
\n$237,000\u00a0for athletics programming
\n$215,435\u00a0for programming at the Art Center
\n$180,438\u00a0for programming at Lake Kennedy Center
\n$121,332\u00a0for programming at the South Cape Community Center
\n$80,000\u00a0for programming at Rotary Park
\n$76,677\u00a0for programming at Four Freedoms Park<\/p>\n
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WATER QUALITY<\/p>\n
The budget prioritizes environmental protection through major investments in advanced stormwater management, flood prevention, drainage improvements, aquatic vegetation control, and water quality upgrades, including:<\/p>\n
$7.7 Million\u00a0for Trafalgar drainage improvements
\n$3.3 Million\u00a0for weir improvements
\n$2.6 Million\u00a0for 83 Catch Basin replacements
\n$2.5 Million\u00a0for dredging
\n$1.7 Million\u00a0for stormwater drainpipe and catch basin improvements
\n$1.06 Million\u00a0for aquatic vegetation harvesting in the South Spreader Canal
\n$1 Million\u00a0for Rotary Dog Park stormwater system retrofit
\n$584,000\u00a0for street sweeping
\n$500,000\u00a0for water quality management Improvements<\/p>\n
DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT<\/p>\n
To encourage long-term prosperity and sustainability, the budget includes economic initiatives, including:<\/p>\n
$3 Million\u00a0for proposed economic development Incentives reserve, which would fund commercial growth opportunities and support targeted industry expansion<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s budget dedicates grant funding to programs that strengthen entrepreneurship, environmental innovation, technology, and community development, including:<\/p>\n
$661,243\u00a0for programs serving Special Populations
\n$170,727 for the Tourist Development Council to help offset maintenance related costs for parks locations\u00a0<\/p>\n
OASIS MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS<\/p>\n
Cape Coral dedicates significant resources to its municipal charter school system and varied educational programs, enhancing learning opportunities for residents of all ages, including:<\/p>\n
$50.4 Million\u00a0to run the municipal charter school system<\/p>\n
Promoting Transparency: The Property Checkbook Tool<\/p>\n
To bolster fiscal transparency, residents can look up specific properties and see tax information, assessments, and fees that contribute to the total cost for city services. Visit\u00a0capecoral.gov\/checkbook<\/a>. (Note: The tool may experience temporary updates during the millage rate adjustment period.)<\/p>\n Next Steps: Final Budget Adoption<\/p>\n