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Dear Neighbors,
October brings a new fiscal year and continued momentum for the City of Fort Myers.
During our Sept. 21 meeting, the Fort Myers City Council approved an employment agreement with Ronald A. Dente Jr. to serve as city attorney, and Lilliana Baker was sworn in as city clerk. Both are dedicated public servants promoted from within our organization, bringing valuable experience and continuity to two key leadership positions. Read the official announcement in the latest Florida Weekly.
We also broke ground on the new Fort Myers Police Department headquarters—the largest commercial building project undertaken by the City. This modern, centralized facility will strengthen operations and provide the space, technology, and resources needed to serve our growing community for generations to come. Watch the coverage from Gulf Coast News.
As we begin fiscal year 2026-27, the City Council has finalized an $890.5 million citywide budget that maintains essential services while advancing investments in public safety, infrastructure, utilities, redevelopment, affordable housing, and other resident priorities.
Looking ahead, we will celebrate Florida City Week from Oct. 19-25, recognizing the employees, residents, and City partners who make municipal government work. I will also attend the Florida Redevelopment Association Conference while continuing to connect with our local community at meetings, ribbon-cuttings, grand openings, and other events throughout the month.
I always welcome hearing from you. To share a question, idea, or feedback, please call my office at 239-321-7020 or email MayorAnderson@FortMyers.gov.
There is much to celebrate—and even more to look forward to—in the City of Palms.
Yours in public service,
Kevin B. Anderson
Mayor, City of Fort Myers
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You see your City at work every day. But do you know how your tax dollars help make that happen?
The City of Fort Myers Budget in Brief document breaks it down, outlining how resources are used to serve residents and meet the needs of our growing community.
See where your tax dollars go, how they’re being invested, and what those investments mean for the City of Fort Myers.
Click the image below to explore the City’s Budget in Brief.
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A major upgrade is coming to the way the City of Fort Myers manages utility billing!
The City has officially released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to help replace its utility billing system, which has been in place since 2003.
The new Oracle system will help modernize services for water, wastewater, and solid waste customers. It is designed to improve everything from managing customer accounts and payments to meter readings, service requests, and scheduling crews in the field.
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Behind the scenes, the upgrade will also connect utility services with the City’s financial system, helping departments work together and share information more efficiently.
Proposals are due Oct. 14, 2026, with implementation expected to begin in January 2027. The City’s preferred goal is to have the new system up and running by July 2027.
This is another step toward making City services more modern, connected, and user friendly for our community.
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The Verdict Is In:
Meet the New City Attorney
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A new city attorney is taking the lead in the City of Fort Myers, but he’s no stranger to the City of Palms!
Ronald (Ron) A. Dente Jr. is stepping into a new role with the City of Fort Myers after City Council approved his employment agreement on Sept. 21, 2026.
He joined the City of Fort Myers in 2019 as an assistant city attorney and became deputy city attorney in 2024. Now, he brings nearly 30 years of legal experience to his new position.
Dente was selected through a competitive process that included candidates from inside and outside the City. He succeeds longtime City Attorney Grant W. Alley who retired in June.
“It is an honor to continue serving the City of Fort Myers in this new role and to build on the strong legal foundation established by Grant Alley,” Dente said.
Throughout his career, Dente has worked in both legal and leadership roles across Southwest Florida. His experience includes local government, contracts, land use, employment law, and other issues that impact how a city operates.
Board certified by The Florida Bar in City, County and Local Government Law, Dente will provide legal guidance to City Council and staff as they make decisions to best serve our community.
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Groundbreaking Marks a
New Chapter for FMPD
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The dirt has been turned and a new chapter is underway for the Fort Myers Police Department!
City leaders, FMPD, and community partners recently came together to break ground on the department’s new headquarters. The future facility will give officers and staff a modern space to support their work and better serve residents.
"Dig" into the coverage on WINK News!
| | Did you catch all that vegetation in the video above? | | |
There’s a lot of work happening behind the scenes to keep Billy Creek healthy and maintained.
Over three days, the City of Fort Myers Stormwater team worked with a contractor to remove excess vegetation from the Billy Creek Filter Marsh. By the time the work was done, crews had removed 30 dump truck loads of vegetation.
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The work used a more natural approach to maintaining the area while helping the marsh continue doing an important job: supporting our waterways and managing stormwater.
It’s one more way City crews are caring for our beloved outdoor spaces and waterways. More to come!
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Hear that? You will when you watch this video!
Our Public Works team now has two Cement Tech concrete trucks helping crews get work done across the City. One is new, while the other is a City truck that was repurposed for concrete work.
The trucks allow crews to complete roadway, sidewalk, and other concrete repairs more quickly. Having this equipment in-house also allows the City to respond to service requests sooner, reduce reliance on outside contractors, and deliver more cost-effective repairs.
Turn up the volume on the video below to see these trucks in action!
| | Fire Prevention Month is Here | | |
Would you and your family know what to do if a fire started in your home?
October is Fire Prevention Month, and the Fort Myers Fire Department wants to make sure you have the information you need to stay safe.
This year’s theme is "Charge into Safety". Throughout the month, your FMFD team will be sharing simple safety tips to help you prevent fires, know what to do in an emergency, and keep your family safe.
Hit follow on FMFD’s social media pages and stay tuned for messages straight from your Fort Myers firefighters and Community Risk Reduction team!
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Here to Help:
Meet Our Code Enforcement Team
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From helping ensure lawns are maintained and signs are properly placed to checking the safety of structures in our neighborhoods, the City of Fort Myers Code Enforcement team plays a vital role in caring for our community.
October is National Code Enforcement Month, and we’re shining a spotlight on the people who do this important work every day!
Follow the City of Fort Myers on social media throughout October as we ride along with the team and share simple tips to help you avoid common code violations.
If you see our Code Enforcement team out in your neighborhood, be sure to say hello and thank them for helping keep the City safe, welcoming, and well maintained!
| | Engineers: Help Build Fort Myers' Future | | |
The City of Fort Myers is looking for its next public utilities leader—and our Public Utilities Director has a message for you!
We’re hiring a Utilities Engineer to lead the team responsible for planning, designing, and managing critical water, sewer, and infrastructure projects across our growing City.
Could this be your next career move?
Watch the video below to hear directly from our Public Utilities Director about the opportunity and why you should join our team.
Don’t just think about it, take the next step and apply today!
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Ready for a new career?
We're hiring!
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Looking for a new job? The City of Fort Myers has opportunities - and strong benefits - waiting for you on its new career website (fortmyers.gov/jobs).
From Parks & Recreation roles to Fleet Mechanic, there are various ways to utilize your skills and showcase your talents while serving our community.
Interested in joining our team? View current job openings.
| | McCollum Hall: Be Part of What’s Next | | Tarpon Park Community Meeting | | |
Tarpon Park — the park you've helped envision is one step closer to coming to life.
Join the City of Fort Myers for a community meeting on Oct. 22 where City staff will share how feedback from residents has helped shape the vision for Tarpon Park. You'll have the opportunity to view the proposed plans, ask questions, and provide additional input as the project moves forward.
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Your voice has helped guide this process from the beginning, and together we can create a park that reflects the needs of the Tarpon Park community.
Get the meeting details below in the "October Meetings" section and be part of the conversation.
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Help Shape the Future of First
& Second Streets
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The City of Fort Myers and the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are studying First Street/Palm Beach Boulevard and Second Street/Seaboard Street to explore ways to make the corridor safer and easier to travel for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
Following the 2023 two-way conversion, we want to hear from you about what’s working and what could be improved.
Take the survey and help shape the future of this important Downtown Fort Myers corridor!
| | Bring More Green to Your City | | |
Want to help make the City of Fort Myers a little greener? Roll up your sleeves and join the Southern Trails Foundation for a community tree-planting event along the North Colonial Linear Trail.
Volunteers will help plant trees that will enhance the area and create a more inviting space for everyone who uses the trail. No experience is needed, and all the necessary tools will be provided.
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Join us Saturday, Oct. 10 at 8:00 a.m. at Trailhead Neighborhood Park, 4000 Veronica S. Shoemaker Blvd.
Bring your family, friends, or neighbors, and help make a lasting impact in your community!
For more information, visit the Southern Trails Foundation website or email Info@SouthernTrailsFoundation.org.
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Fall Saturdays Start at the
Farmers Market
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Fall is here, and there’s no better way to spend a Saturday morning than outside with friends and family in Downtown Fort Myers!
Starting Saturday, Oct. 3, the Fort Myers Farmers Market is expanding its footprint, giving you even more opportunities to shop from local vendors. The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., giving you plenty of time to shop, grab a bite, and enjoy all the Culinary District has to offer.
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The expanded market will feature more than 70 new and returning vendors along First Street, Dean Street, and Broadway.
Join us at 9 a.m. on Oct. 3 for a special bell-ringing ceremony to celebrate the expansion, then stick around to shop, eat, and enjoy your Saturday in downtown!
| | | Movie Night Hits the River | | |
Movie night on the water? Yes, you read that right!
Palm City Cinema is heading to the Caloosahatchee River for a special Reels on the River on Friday, Oct. 9 at Centennial Park.
With two viewing areas and two screens, this will give families the option to enjoy the movie from Centennial Park or watch right from their boats on the river.
The featured movie, Minions & Monsters, begins at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free. Food trucks will also be on-site!
Watching from the park? Bring a chair or blanket and find a comfortable spot along the river.
Palm City Cinema takes place on the second Friday of each month, bringing free movies to different locations around the City of Fort Myers.
Ready for movie night on the river? Click the image below to view the Facebook event, RSVP, and share with friends!
| | Serve on a City Board or Committee | | |
The City of Fort Myers is calling on passionate, civic-minded residents to step forward and make a difference by serving on one of our many boards and committees. This is your opportunity to lend your voice and expertise to drive key decisions that impact your City.
"From planning and public art to historic preservation and more, our boards and committees give residents a meaningful way to get involved, share their perspectives, and contribute to the work happening across our City” said City Clerk Lilliana Baker.
Visit our List of City Boards to learn more about current vacancies and how to apply. You can also contact the City Clerk's Office at 239-321-7035.
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Want to know what’s happening in the City of Palms?
Get City updates, project progress, events, and behind-the-scenes stories right in your feed. Click the icons below to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!
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City Council Meeting - October 5, 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 2200 Second St., Fort Myers, 33901
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Ward 1 Meeting - October 13, 6:00 p.m.
Riverside Community Center, 3061 E Riverside Drive, Fort Myers, 33916
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Ward 3 Meeting - October 15, 6:30 p.m.
Lindsford Clubhouse & Pool, 4101 Dutchess Park Rd., Fort Myers, 33916
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City Council Meeting - October 19, 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 2200 Second St., Fort Myers, 33901
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Tarpon Park Community Meeting - October 22, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Riverside Community Center, 3061 E Riverside Drive, Fort Myers, 33916
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CRA Board of Commissioners - October 28, 9:00 a.m.
City Hall, 2200 Second St, Fort Myers, 33901
*Visit the City Meeting Center on FortMyers.gov for a full list.*
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