Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lee County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in taxes budget
Tourist Development Tax Ordinance Amendment
Ordinance 26-10 would change how the county's tourist tax — paid by visitors on hotel and short-term rentals — is used.
Potential State Property Tax Reform Impacts
If Amendment 3 passes, Lee County could lose roughly $144 million in property tax revenue thanks to bigger homestead exemptions and lower caps on non-homestead property. That money funds sheriff's deputies, parks, EMS and more, so commissioners are scrambling to figure out what to cut or how to replace it.
Revenue Replacement Options: Fees and Millage
Staff modeled raising fees on ambulance service, electric franchises, parks parking, transit, animal services and more — but those increases would recover only a limited portion of the loss. Rolling up the millage rate from 3.76 mills would shift costs to businesses and renters, and commissioners aren't eager to reverse past tax cuts.
Lee Health and United Healthcare Network Dispute
A resident urged the county to use its new Lee Health compliance audit to push Lee Health to keep negotiating with United Healthcare before its contract lapses January 1 — potentially affecting some 50,000 insured residents.
Sheriff's fleet spending questions
A resident tallied roughly $7 million in sheriff vehicle funding since January and questioned the need for another $11.4 million — and why the county bought a patrol car for FGCU's police department.
FY2026-27 Budget and Flat-Budget Directive
The League of Women Voters asked the county to make the proposed budget easier to find online and to allow public comment at workshops or set up a special budget dialogue with commissioners.
Civic Center maintenance and survival plan
The county is spending to keep the aging Civic Center running for five more years — swapping 3 of 12 HVAC units and patching the roof — with interior repairs planned for 2027. The board also wants to explore using disaster recovery money for it as a hurricane staging facility.
Enterprise GIS contract price spike
The county's GIS software vendor — described as the Microsoft of its field — wants 42% more over the last contract. Commissioners tabled the deal to push back on pricing and explore competitive alternatives over a three-year runway.
Solid waste rates rising 8% next year
Solid waste rates and fees go up 8% in FY27 to bring the system to full cost recovery, with future increases capped at 5% annually through 2030. Commissioner Hamman successfully kept the annual public rate hearing, preserving a yearly public check on rates.