Fred Burson
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 34
- Total speaking time
- 2:19:00
- Avg per meeting
- 4:05
- Segments
- 2456
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Top issues during term (20)
Former News-Press Site Redevelopment Rebate
A TIFF incentive was approved by the CRA advisory board the night before this meeting — public tax-increment dollars will help finance part of the project.
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget and Millage Rate Adoption
Balances the $193.2 million general fund budget while utilizing $4.7 million in reserves and increasing property tax and fire assessment burdens.
City Manager Executive Search
A 15% temporary salary increase to the interim manager's pay starting December 10, 2026.
Public Integrity and Mayor Conduct Allegations
Potential costs for independent investigative counsel if authorized.
Innovation Walk Master Planning
Construction would need a stacked funding mix (local, state, federal, philanthropic), and ongoing costs are a concern — board members want revenue (vendor fees, sponsorships, concessions) to offset maintenance.
MLK Residential Property Improvement Grant
$11,756.25 one-time cost, budgeted in FY 2026-2027 from the MLK Trust Fund.
mayoral election
Elections cost taxpayer money to run, but the real financial impact depends on what new spending or tax priorities the winning candidate pushes for.
McCollum Hall Restoration and Adaptive Reuse
Not yet known; contract terms will be negotiated after board authorization.
McCollum Hall Redevelopment and Property Acquisition
The CRA pays nothing upfront; the fee is only owed if the tax credit deal closes, funded from the MLK Redevelopment Trust Fund.
Environmental Sustainability Award Program
Costs would be limited to signage and certificates, funded through council discretionary money if approved.
Multi-Year Utility Rate Adjustments
Generates additional utility fund revenue for infrastructure maintenance.
Fiscal Year 2027 Utility Infrastructure and Capital Planning
The estimated project cost is $48 million, largely offset by a $35.8 million principal-forgiveness loan.
STARS Youth Program Funding
A requested $200,000 restoration from prior budget cuts.
287(g) Immigration Enforcement Agreement Opposition
mayoral misconduct
While no direct costs are mentioned yet, leadership turmoil like this often leads to expensive legal battles and wasted taxpayer money.
Spin Scooter Program Expansion Proposal
City revenue could rise from a flat $35,000 to roughly $40,000 or more under the new ride-based fee schedule.
ethics violation
Local taxpayers are getting their misspent money back into the city treasury, assuming the councilmember actually pays up.
FPL underground utilities near Vivas Palm Park
The CRA's role is limited to transmitting funding to FPL; technical costs are handled by the city.
Economic Development Master Plan and Stakeholder Input
Investors can receive federal capital gains tax exclusions for qualified long-term investments.
Manuel's Branch and Billy Creek Dredging Project
The cleanup is funded by a grant already underway.
Decisions during term (914)
Recorded while Burson was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of October 1, 2026 meeting minutes
Board motion supporting the Innovation Walk project
Consent Agenda — Minutes of September 2 and October 7, 2026 meetings
Residential Property Improvement Matching Grant — Sharetha Davis, 3447 Eastland St.
Increment Rebate Application — Midtown Catalyst, LLC (former News-Press site)
MINUTES OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026.
MINUTES OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026.
Approval of September 1, 2026 meeting minutes
Forward Environmental Sustainability Award proposal to Councilman Bochette
Approve the September 1, 2026 meeting minutes
Consent Agenda (Items 3.1-3.13)
Mayor's discretionary funds: Foundation for Lee County Public Schools ($500)
Mayor's discretionary funds: Premier Mobile Health ($500)
Mayor's discretionary funds: Parents of Murdered Children ($500)
Ward 2 discretionary funds: IMAG History and Science Center ($500)
Ward 6 discretionary funds: Leadership Florida ($2,000)
Appoint Londyn Russaw to Teen Advisory Council
National League of Cities voting delegate and alternate
15% pay increase for Interim City Manager John Lege III
Permission to advertise Ordinance No. 4104 — 1455 Lockwood Drive land use change
Voting record (50)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Edison Ford Welcome Center — project, naming rights, debt limit, city funding, loan guarantee
Appointment of Interim City Manager
City Manager Executive Recruitment Contract with Mercer Group
Raymond Vannortwick v. City of Fort Myers Settlement
Voted against because damage was minimal, the police vehicle was responding to an emergency, and he opposed settling with ambulance chasers.
Palm River Apartments Tax Increment Rebate (Motion 1 - $7.2M)
Palm River Apartments Tax Increment Rebate (Motion 2 - $9.1M)
Ordinance No. 4113 Operating Millage Rate (Final Adoption)
Ordinance No. 4114 Debt Service Millage Rate
Ordinance No. 4107 Utility Rate Increases
Ordinance No. 4108 Reclaimed Water Rates
Resolution No. 2026-86 FY 2026-2027 Budget Appropriations
Adopt Ordinance No. 4111 (Tentative Millage Rate)
Burson argued for the lower rollback rate of 6.6465, citing flat property values and a desire to keep living in Fort Myers affordable.
Adopt Ordinance No. 4112 (Debt-Service Millage Rate)
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-88 (Tentative Budget)
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-69 (Stormwater Assessment)
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-70 (Solid Waste Assessment)
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-71 (Fire Rescue Assessment)
Termination of Affordable Housing Agreement with Michael Love
Settlement Approval for Lakesha Jackson v. City of Fort Myers
Certification of Not-to-Exceed Operating Millage Rate (Item 7.5)
Select Ronald Dente, Jr. as City Attorney and Authorize Contract Negotiations
Designate Backup Candidate Glenn Travis Cary
Selection of City Attorney Finalists for Interviews
Award ITB No. 26-040 for Yearly Backflow Testing
Adopt Ordinance No. 4095 for General Employees' Pension Plan Amendments
Expressed support for adopting the Ordinance as negotiated and felt that reopening the agreement after both parties had reached a negotiated settlement would set an undesirable precedent for future collective bargaining.
Approve City Manager Annual Performance Review Merit Increase
Approve Amendment No. 1 for FMPD Headquarters Construction
Resolution No. 2026-43 (Discretionary Funds Policy)
Code Enforcement Foreclosure Proceedings on Palm Beach Boulevard
amend the agreement between the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fort Myers, FL. And Cedar River at Fort Myers Allure for the development of 2589 and 2595 First Street, Fort Myers, Florid
approve Resolution CRA 2026-03
Resolution No. CRA 2026-03: Administrative Grant Approval Delegation
Developer Agreement Amendment Request for Allure (2589/2595 First Street)
Award ITB No. 25-086 for McGregor Reserve Paving
Objected to Neubert Construction being on the approved bidders list due to an active lawsuit against the city.
Ordinance No. 4076 - Palm Riverview Holdings PUD
Award ITB No. 26-030 - Demolition of City of Palms Park
Urged preservation and repurposing of the office portion of the stadium.
Land Use Restriction Agreement - Residences Fort Myers Phase 1
Land Use Restriction Agreement - Residences Fort Myers Phase 2
Exempt Employee Pay Adjustments
Automated Enforcement RFP Ranking and Table
City of Palms Park Demolition Contract
Ordinance No. 4089 Rezoning at 4400 Cleveland Ave
Step-Up-to-Work Program Age Requirement
Purchase and Sale Agreement for Challenger Boulevard Extension Right-of-Way
Property appraised at $1.5 million and condemnation could proceed without paying an inflated price.
Settlement of Linda Mintz v. City of Fort Myers
Distribution of Ward 3 Neighborhood Improvement Funds
Permission to Advertise Land Acquisition for Challenger Boulevard Extension
Felt that the city should not pay more than the appraised value and should seek donation of the right of way.