Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget and Millage Rate Adoption
Summary
City leaders are weighing a property tax rate increase to 6.9 mills along with a 10% fire assessment fee hike to close a $9.2 million budget gap and fund essential public safety and infrastructure needs.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 12
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 23, 2026.
Impact analysis
Balances the $193.2 million general fund budget while utilizing $4.7 million in reserves and increasing property tax and fire assessment burdens.
City residents and employees who rely on funded municipal services, police wage adjustments, and infrastructure maintenance.
None identified
Mentions & discussions (10)
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - Sep 23, 2026
The board reviewed and adopted annual budgets totaling over $31.5 million across four redevelopment special districts in Fort Myers.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR - Sep 21, 2026
The city council debated and ultimately adopted a $890.5 million citywide budget and a 6.9000 mill property tax rate after multiple reconsideration votes. Residents and STARS program advocates strongly protested funding reductions to youth and cultural programs.
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL - Sep 9, 2026
The city council adopted a tentative property tax rate of 6.9000 mills and an $874.2 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Residents raised concerns about youth program cuts and higher tax burdens, while officials pointed to rising public safety costs and long-term debt obligations.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - Aug 31, 2026
The city is weighing a $193.6 million general fund budget for next year, proposing a 6.9 millage rate that would tap nearly $5 million in reserves to cover rising personnel costs and debt service.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - Aug 21, 2026
City leaders are weighing a property tax rate increase to 6.9 mills along with a 10% fire assessment fee hike to close a $9.2 million budget gap and fund essential public safety and infrastructure needs.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - Aug 10, 2026
Council is trying to close a $9.2 million gap between flat revenues and rising expenses without overburdening residents through excessive tax hikes.
CRA ADVISORY BOARD - Aug 5, 2026
The board reviewed upcoming projects and budget allocations for downtown, Cleveland, MLK, and East Fort Myers redevelopment areas.
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR - Aug 3, 2026
City Council certified a not-to-exceed operating millage rate of 7.3112 mills to maintain budget flexibility while facing flat revenues and rising operational costs. Residents will see TRIM notices in the mail soon ahead of public hearings in September.
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - Jul 28, 2026
With property value growth slowing to under one percent, Fort Myers is facing a tight budget gap for the upcoming fiscal year. The council is weighing potential increases to the property tax millage rate and fire assessment fees to maintain city services and cover rising personnel and debt costs.
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSHOP Part 1 - May 7, 2026
City officials are navigating a challenging budget year with slower revenue growth, rising personnel costs, property tax reform uncertainty, and heavy hurricane recovery expenses.
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