Cape Coral City Council will hold the first of two public hearings on the property tax rate rate and next year’s budget on Thursday.
Council set a not-to-exceed rate of 5.5188 mills on July 23.
One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable assessed property valuation.
Council considered four options: included a proposed rate of 5.2188 mills; the rolled back rate of 5.1471 mills, which would have generated $2,200,734 less than the city manager’s proposed rate; the not-to-exceed 5.5188 mills or $9,208,099 more than at the city manager’s proposed rate; or any millage rate greater than the roll-back rate, but less than the not-to-exceed rate.
The 2026 budget as proposed is $1,437,048,387, which includes a total general fund revenue and operating expenditures of $264,702,131.
The budget includes 19 positions added to the fire department, 16 positions to the police department, four code compliance officers and one code compliance supervisor, playground replacements at Burton Park and Giuffrida Park, fitness station replacements at Del Prado Linear Park, Lake Kennedy Parking lot construction, city hall roof replacement, bridge maintenance and rehabilitation, and flood prevention improvements.
The meeting will begin at 5:05 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, in City Council chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
The final public hearing will be held on Sept. 25.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com