October News

Welcome to the City of Fort Myers monthly e-newsletter! We look forward to providing you with news briefs from all over our City, so you can keep up to date with happenings, events and information. If you are interested in continuing to receive this newsletter on a monthly basis, please let us know by clicking here to subscribe. We are excited about having another way to keep our community conversation going, and hope that you will sign up today.

HUD Secretary congratulates City on housing market comeback

Development Secretary Julián Castro visited Fort Myers to discuss the local housing market’s comeback and its role in our national economic recovery. Secretary Castro met with Mayor Henderson and representatives from our local housing authorities, congratulating them on their accomplishments. In the City of Fort Myers alone, more than $4.6 million in HUD funds went to acquisition rehabilitate or to construct 42 affordable housing units including a seven unit apartment complex and two duplexes. Additionally, Recovery funds were used to provide energy efficient additions to rehabilitation projects including solar water heaters, insulation, windows and fixtures to lower household energy costs an average of 35 percent. The City through its nonprofit partner provided housing counseling services to over 50 potential homebuyers. And a total of $19,000 went to nine first time homebuyers who received homeownership assistance funds.

Don’t Wait, Check the Date

At the Oct. 3 City Council Meeting, the Mayor proclaimed Oct. 9 through 15, 2016 Fire Prevention Week. Fort Myers Fire Department Chief Trenton Bowen explained that the week is dedicated to prevention, protection and education. This year’s theme focuses on smoke alarms, advising the need to not only check the batteries, but to be aware that smoke detectors must be changed every 10 years to be fully effective.

Fire Education

In other Fire Department news, City firefighters have been out and about throughout the City, educating the public and creating awareness about fire prevention.

We Love Our Community!

On Oct. 5, the City staff joined together for a breakfast presentation in City Council Chambers to kick off the 2016 United Way campaign. Led by City staff member Donna Lovejoy, the City, with more than 900 employees, announced that our goal is to donate $30,000 to help others in our community.

Curtains Up on FREE Movies in the Park

Our Recreation Division is pleased to present this season’s series of FREE Movies in the Park! Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, enjoy family activities up to one hour before “show time.” Onsite parking is free and concessions only $1. Please note that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 239.321.7530.

Zootopia

October 14
Jefferson Park
7:30 p.m.

Elf

November 26
Centennial Park
7:30 p.m.

Frozen

December 17
Clemente Park
7:30 p.m.

Remember the Titans

February 11, 2017
Clemente Park
7:30 p.m.

The Secret Life of Pets

March 25, 2017
Centennial Park
8 p.m.

Finding Dory

April 28, 2017
Centennial Park
8 p.m.

Business Tax Renewal Time

September 30 each year is the deadline for all businesses in the City to renew their Business Tax Receipt (BTR). The City sends BTR notices out in late July with fees that are due. The current number of businesses in the City is 6871 and over 65% of those renewed by the deadline date! A 10% late fee is applied in October, with another 5% applied each month thereafter up to 25%. After 150 days, the State of Florida also applies a late fee. Reminder notices are sent in November to those who have not renewed as of yet. The City appreciates all of our businesses and thanks you for your timely renewals! If you have questions about Business Tax renewals you may call 239-321-7990 or visit us at the County-City Annex Building at 1825 Hendry Street in downtown Fort Myers. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with a lunch time closing from 1 – 2 p.m. We appreciate your patience in getting your questions answered as this is a very busy time of year, and we currently have only one Business Tax Receipt Specialist on staff. Thank you for doing business in the City of Fort Myers!

Good News on the Financial Front

City Manager Saeed Kazemi, P.E. announced that the City of Fort Myers has sold its Capital Improvement Revenue and Refunding Bonds, Series 2016 Bonds in the amount of $52,130,000. The Series 2016 Bonds were issued with the goals of: (1) to currently refund the City’s previously issued Improvement and Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2006, to achieve annual debt service savings; and (2) to finance various capital improvement projects within the City. Bond refundings are similar to the refinancing of mortgages. Existing debt is prepaid and new debt, at a lower interest rate, is issued to replace the original debt. The refunding (refinancing) component of the transaction resulted in an average of $350,000 in annual debt service savings for fiscal years 2018 through 2037. The transaction also enables the City to finance various capital improvement projects in the amount $19,757,300.

Construction Activity Grows in the City of Fort Myers

Following the height of the building boom in Fiscal Year 05-06, the economy took a tumble that reached bottom between Fiscal Years 08-09 and 09-10. Beginning with FY10-11 the number of permits issued and construction values have steadily climbed. FY15-16 just ended on September 30 and permits issued are actually 14% higher than they were in FY06-07! Construction values have been slower to increase back to previous heights but are only 21% lower than the values in FY06-07. This is good news for the building industry, and for the community at large, as new construction projects provide local jobs and have a positive impact on property values, which enhance the City’s tax base and take the pressure off of weary taxpayers.

A Fond Farewell

Captain Dennis Eads

This month we said goodbye to two long term City staff members who made a tremendous difference in our community. Captain Dennis Eads retired from the Police Department after 30 years of service. He will be staying on as an auxiliary officer.

Don Paight

Executive Director of the Community Redevelopment Agency, retired with 29.5 years of service. Under his leadership the Agency engaged internationally acclaimed urban planner Andres Duany to prepare the 2003 Downtown Master Plan that resulted in over $500 million in private investment and $300 million in public investment between 2003 and 2009. An additional $500 million is currently entitled or under contract for development. The Agency is responsible for creating the 1.5 million sq. ft. comprehensive City, County, State, and Federal government center in downtown, providing the design and funding for the award winning streetscape project and securing a Publix grocery store for downtown residents and employees.