A Message from
Mayor John Gunter
Council is currently reviewing the budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). We have been successful over the past several years by having sound financial policies in place. Although we have been divided on selecting the millage rate, no matter which rate is selected, Council is looking to reduce your property tax rate. I am recommending the Rollback rate to ensure residents will not see a tax increase.
One of the primary responsibilities of your City Council is the adoption of the annual operating budget. The annual budget is among the most important documents a local government produces, and the budget process is an undertaking that requires a great deal of consideration by the City Council. The budget allocates limited resources among various priorities deemed important for the organization and the community.
Cape Coral is among the fastest-growing cities in the nation. This impressive growth presents both benefits and challenges. We intend to ensure that the FY23 property tax rate allows us to keep pace with the growth we are continuing to see. We will not only maintain our current level of service but will exceed it in many areas. READ MORE-->
Sincerely,
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Giuffrida Park Ribbon-Cutting Set for Friday, September 9
The City of Cape Coral is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Giuffrida Park (1044 NE 4th Street) on Friday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m., and the public is welcome to attend.
In 2018, Cape Coral voters approved a $60 million expansion of the City's parks and recreation amenities. The approved 15-year general obligation (GO) bond is funding major parks and recreation improvements throughout the City.
Being Cape Coral's first Neighborhood Park and over 40 years old, Giuffrida Park was at the top of the list to receive significant park improvements as part of the Parks Master Plan.
The GO Bond-funded improvements began last summer with the addition of a shade structure over the playground, two new free-standing play elements, including a Playcube Climber and a Spinami Spinner, a new vinyl-coated chain link fence with ADA-accessible gates, new concrete curbing defining the playground border, six inches of playground-approved wood chips for the safety surface, and installation of over 1,000 square feet of Bahia sod.
The park has been closed for the past six months during the construction of the remaining park improvements, including adding two Pickleball courts, a multi-use path, upgraded parking, and improved landscaping.
The ribbon-cutting of the newly improved Giuffrida Park on September 9 will be the first of several opening events for Parks GO-Bond projects in the coming months making this a fascinating time for recreation in our community. Click below for more information.
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Two Local Referendums Passed in Primary Election; Third Referendum on November Ballot
A referendum allows citizens to refer acts of the Legislature to the ballot before they become law. Two referendums were included on the ballot during the recent Primary Election with the results shown below:
Filling of Vacancies of Mayor and Councilmembers - Ordinance 27-22
Election Results: PASSED - In the event that a special election is required to fill a Council vacancy and there are three or more qualified candidates, a special primary election will be required.
Authentication, Codification, and Avail of City Records - Ordinance 28-22
Election Results: PASSED - This referendum allows the City Clerk to authenticate and maintain ordinances and resolutions in codified form, making them accessible to the public quickly once they are adopted.
A third referendum - Ordinance 31-22 - The Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption - will be included on the November 8, 2022 ballot. Cape Coral voters will be asked whether or not to approve this exemption, which is designed to encourage new commercial development and expansion of existing businesses within Cape Coral.
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Public Hearing Dates Scheduled to Finalize City's FY23 Budget
The first public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget for the City of Cape Coral will be held Thursday, September 8 at 5:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (1015 Cultural Park Boulevard). The tentative millage rate and budget will be set at this meeting.
The second public hearing on the proposed FY23 budget is scheduled for Thursday, September 22 at 5:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The final millage and budget will be set at this meeting.
State law requires that two public hearings be held to discuss the budget. These hearings occur every September. The first public hearing date is advertised on the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes (TRIM Notice) and the second is published in the local newspapers and on the City’s website.
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Free Emergency Response Training Offered
Before, during, and after a storm, people often wonder what they can do to help their community. One of the best things you can do is to become a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer. Using lessons learned from the classroom and during hands-on exercises, CERT volunteers can take care of themselves, their families, and their neighbors before, during, and after an emergency when first responders are not quickly available.
CERT Basic Training is free and open to Cape Coral residents age 14 and above. For information on class times and location, and to sign up, email capecert@capecoral.gov or visit www.capecoralfire.com/cert. Please RSVP by Sunday, September 4.
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9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at City Hall
The public is invited to join the Cape Coral Fire Department, the Cape Coral Police Department, and the City of Cape Coral in a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday, September 11, at 8:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Cape Coral City Hall (1015 Cultural Park Blvd.)
After a brief presentation, attendees will stake 2,977 American flags, each with a name of a victim of the attacks, on the front lawn of City Hall to honor their memory and reaffirm that “We Will Never Forget.”
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Cape Coral Police Department News
The men and women of the Cape Coral Police Department work hard every day to help keep our City safe. Click on the newsroom link to see recent law enforcement news and follow them on Facebook for regular updates.
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Groundbreaking Held for The Cove at 47th
On August 24, Flaherty & Collins Properties (F&C) officially broke ground on The Cove at 47th, a $103 million mixed-use project in downtown Cape Coral, Florida.
The Cove at 47th will include 327 luxury apartments, 19,000 square feet of ground-floor retail or office space, and a 585-space parking garage, with 125 spaces reserved for the public.
The development will also include a steakhouse and sushi concept, Blu Sushi, serving as the project’s anchor tenant and featuring a rooftop bar. Additionally, the project will consist of several resort-style amenities.
The first residential units are expected to open in about 16 months, with full project completion estimated for late summer 2024.
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Parks & Rec Fall Activity Guide is Ready to View
The Parks & Recreation Fall Activity Guide, which covers the months of September-December 2022, is now available to view online at www.CapeParks.com.
The online version contains clickable links to online registration making it easy to learn about upcoming classes, programs, and events, and sign up to participate.
There will also be a limited supply of printed copies that can be picked up after September 6 at City Hall, Cape Coral's recreation centers, and the two libraries in Cape Coral.
For more details, click on the link below or visit CapeParks.com.
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Permitting Counter Closed on Fridays
The Development Services permitting counter at City Hall will be closed on Fridays until further notice. This will allow DSD staff to focus on processing the backlog of permit applications.
The permitting counter will remain open during regular hours on Monday through Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The last scheduled appointment each day is at 3:45 p.m.
Existing counter appointments made through the City’s Q-Less platform will be honored, and emergency permitting services will still be available at the counter for Electrical Miscellaneous permits. The EnerGov Customer Self Service (CSS) portal will remain open for all electronic permit applications and licensing activities.
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Beware of Unlicensed Contractors
Working with an unlicensed contractor is a dangerous practice that can leave you with faulty work that may not be constructed correctly. What’s worse is that you could be setting yourself up for additional costs that go far beyond the savings you initially realized.
Below are some warning signs to look for that can help you to identify unlicensed contractors:
- They are not willing to put a contract in writing.
- They ask you to obtain a permit or say the permit is not necessary.
- They request a large down payment before work begins.
- They ask you to pay in cash or make a check payable to cash.
- They ask you to make a check payable to an individual, instead of a company name.
- They cannot provide proof of insurance.
- They do not display a license number on advertisements.
- They are only willing to work on weekends.
Before hiring a contractor or signing any contracts with them, verify that they are licensed. To check a license, go to www.myfloridalicense.com and click on “Verify a License” or call the City’s Licensing Division at (239) 574-0613.
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Take Advantage of Bulk Waste Drop-off Site
The City is partnering with Waste Pro to offer residents a bulk waste drop-off site as part of a year-long pilot program. The site is a complimentary service and addition to the residential bulk item collection already provided.
The bulk waste drop-off site is located on the west side of the North Cape Government Complex and operates Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and the address for the complex is 1200 Kismet Parkway; however, the bulk-drop off-site entrance is off NW 14th Avenue, at the western portion of the complex.
Commercial businesses are not permitted to use the facility because the program is an optional service for residential use only. Proof of residency may be required to dispose of items. Household chemical waste and recycling will not be accepted at the drop-off location.
This pilot program is scheduled to run until January 2023. After evaluating public response, the City will decide whether to open a permanent location.
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September Happenings Around Cape Coral
Friday, September 2
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"Aquarium" Exhibit Opens at the Cape Coral Art Center; On Display in the Main Gallery through October 27 (Reception on Sep. 9)
Monday, September 5
Thursday, September 8
- First Public Hearing on the City's Proposed FY23 Budget, 5:05 pm
Friday, September 9
Saturday, September 10
- Moonlight Paddle at Eco Preserve, 7:00-9:00 pm
Sunday, September 11
Thursday, September 22
- Final Public Hearing on the City's Proposed FY23 Budget, 5:05 pm
Saturday, September 24
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