Florida Record
Fort Myers
LBI

Liston Bochette III

Ward 4 Councilperson2024-2028

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending Dec 31, 2028.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
35
Total speaking time
1:53:55
Avg per meeting
3:15
Segments
2394

Want every word Bochette has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Bochette said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

high↑Oct 2026[50]

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.

critical↓May 2026[39]

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.

high↑Mar 2026[31]

MLK Residential Property Improvement Grant

$11,756.25 one-time cost, budgeted in FY 2026-2027 from the MLK Trust Fund.

critical→Oct 2026[31]

City Manager Executive Search

A 15% temporary salary increase to the interim manager's pay starting December 10, 2026.

critical→Oct 2026[30]

Public Integrity and Mayor Conduct Allegations

Potential costs for independent investigative counsel if authorized.

high↑May 2026[27]

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.

high↑Jul 2026[25]

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.

critical↑Feb 2026[24]

McCollum Hall Restoration and Adaptive Reuse

Not yet known; contract terms will be negotiated after board authorization.

critical↑Feb 2026[22]

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.

medium↑Jul 2026[22]

Environmental Sustainability Award Program

Costs would be limited to signage and certificates, funded through council discretionary money if approved.

high↓Aug 2026[19]

Multi-Year Utility Rate Adjustments

Generates additional utility fund revenue for infrastructure maintenance.

critical↑May 2026[18]

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.

high→Sep 2026[17]

STARS Youth Program Funding

A requested $200,000 restoration from prior budget cuts.

high↑May 2026[17]

287(g) Immigration Enforcement Agreement Opposition

medium↓Sep 2026[15]

mayoral misconduct

While no direct costs are mentioned yet, leadership turmoil like this often leads to expensive legal battles and wasted taxpayer money.

high↑Jan 2026[15]

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.

high↑Jun 2026[14]

ethics violation

Local taxpayers are getting their misspent money back into the city treasury, assuming the councilmember actually pays up.

medium↑Nov 2026[13]

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.

high↓Mar 2026[12]

Economic Development Master Plan and Stakeholder Input

Investors can receive federal capital gains tax exclusions for qualified long-term investments.

critical↑Jan 2026[12]

Manuel's Branch and Billy Creek Dredging Project

The cleanup is funded by a grant already underway.

Decisions during term (914)

Recorded while III was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approvedNov 5, 2026

Approval of October 1, 2026 meeting minutes

approvedNov 5, 2026

Board motion supporting the Innovation Walk project

approvedNov 4, 2026

Consent Agenda — Minutes of September 2 and October 7, 2026 meetings

approvedNov 4, 2026

Residential Property Improvement Matching Grant — Sharetha Davis, 3447 Eastland St.

approved4-0Nov 4, 2026

Increment Rebate Application — Midtown Catalyst, LLC (former News-Press site)

approvedNov 4, 2026

MINUTES OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026.

approvedNov 4, 2026

MINUTES OF COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA) ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026.

approvedNov 3, 2026

Approval of September 1, 2026 meeting minutes

approvedNov 3, 2026

Forward Environmental Sustainability Award proposal to Councilman Bochette

approvedNov 3, 2026

Approve the September 1, 2026 meeting minutes

approvedNov 2, 2026

Consent Agenda (Items 3.1-3.13)

approvedNov 2, 2026

Mayor's discretionary funds: Foundation for Lee County Public Schools ($500)

approvedNov 2, 2026

Mayor's discretionary funds: Premier Mobile Health ($500)

approvedNov 2, 2026

Mayor's discretionary funds: Parents of Murdered Children ($500)

approvedNov 2, 2026

Ward 2 discretionary funds: IMAG History and Science Center ($500)

approvedNov 2, 2026

Ward 6 discretionary funds: Leadership Florida ($2,000)

approvedNov 2, 2026

Appoint Londyn Russaw to Teen Advisory Council

approvedNov 2, 2026

National League of Cities voting delegate and alternate

approvedNov 2, 2026

15% pay increase for Interim City Manager John Lege III

approvedNov 2, 2026

Permission to advertise Ordinance No. 4104 — 1455 Lockwood Drive land use change

Voting record (44)

32 yes12 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted noOct 19, 2026

Appoint Assistant City Manager John Lege as the Interim City Manager until a permanent City Manager is selected through the recruitment process.

Voted noOct 19, 2026

Approve the Mercer Group contract for City Manager recruitment services, with staff authorized to condense the recruitment timeline.

Voted noOct 19, 2026

Appointment of Interim City Manager

Voted yesOct 19, 2026

City Manager Executive Recruitment Contract with Mercer Group

Voted yesOct 5, 2026

Raymond Vannortwick v. City of Fort Myers Settlement

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

Palm River Apartments Tax Increment Rebate (Motion 1 - $7.2M)

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

Palm River Apartments Tax Increment Rebate (Motion 2 - $9.1M)

Voted yesSep 21, 2026

Ordinance No. 4114 Debt Service Millage Rate

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

Termination of Affordable Housing Agreement with Michael Love

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

Settlement Approval for Lakesha Jackson v. City of Fort Myers

Voted yesAug 3, 2026

Certification of Not-to-Exceed Operating Millage Rate (Item 7.5)

Voted yesJul 30, 2026

Select Ronald Dente, Jr. as City Attorney and Authorize Contract Negotiations

Voted yesJul 30, 2026

Designate Backup Candidate Glenn Travis Cary

Voted yesJul 22, 2026

Selection of City Attorney Finalists for Interviews

Voted yesJul 20, 2026

Award ITB No. 26-040 for Yearly Backflow Testing

Voted yesJul 20, 2026

Adopt Ordinance No. 4095 for General Employees' Pension Plan Amendments

Voted yesJul 20, 2026

Approve City Manager Annual Performance Review Merit Increase

Voted yesJul 20, 2026

Approve Amendment No. 1 for FMPD Headquarters Construction

Voted yesJun 1, 2026

Resolution No. 2026-43 (Discretionary Funds Policy)

Voted yesJun 1, 2026

Code Enforcement Foreclosure Proceedings on Palm Beach Boulevard

Voted yesMay 18, 2026

STARS Complex 35th Anniversary Gala Funding Approval

Voted yesApr 22, 2026

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

Voted noApr 22, 2026

approve Resolution CRA 2026-03

Voted noApr 22, 2026

Resolution No. CRA 2026-03: Administrative Grant Approval Delegation

Voted yesApr 22, 2026

Developer Agreement Amendment Request for Allure (2589/2595 First Street)

Voted yesApr 20, 2026

Award ITB No. 25-086 for McGregor Reserve Paving

Voted noApr 20, 2026

Ordinance No. 4076 - Palm Riverview Holdings PUD

Expressed concerns regarding green space and density.

Voted yesApr 20, 2026

Award ITB No. 26-030 - Demolition of City of Palms Park

Voted yesApr 6, 2026

Land Use Restriction Agreement - Residences Fort Myers Phase 1

Voted yesApr 6, 2026

Land Use Restriction Agreement - Residences Fort Myers Phase 2

Voted yesApr 6, 2026

Exempt Employee Pay Adjustments

Voted yesApr 6, 2026

Automated Enforcement RFP Ranking and Table

Voted noApr 6, 2026

City of Palms Park Demolition Contract

Voted yesMar 16, 2026

Ordinance No. 4089 Rezoning at 4400 Cleveland Ave

Voted yesMar 2, 2026

Step-Up-to-Work Program Age Requirement

Voted noMar 2, 2026

Purchase and Sale Agreement for Challenger Boulevard Extension Right-of-Way

Voted yesMar 2, 2026

Settlement of Linda Mintz v. City of Fort Myers

Voted yesFeb 17, 2026

Distribution of Ward 3 Neighborhood Improvement Funds

Voted noFeb 17, 2026

Permission to Advertise Land Acquisition for Challenger Boulevard Extension

Voted noFeb 2, 2026

approve the Consent Agenda.

Voted noFeb 2, 2026

Consent Agenda

Voted yesFeb 2, 2026

Assignment of Development Agreement for 2401 Bay Street LLC to 2401 Bay Street Development LLC

Voted yesJan 5, 2026

Approval of $1,000 Bond and Six-Month Extension for Larmie Street Affordable Housing Project

Voted noJan 5, 2026

First Amendment for Cellular Communication Tower at Fort Myers Country Club

Advocating for golfing residents who opposed the tower on historic civic property.