The Captiva Island Fire Control District (CIFCD) has officially moved forward with plans to secure land for public safety improvements. At a meeting on November 11, the commission voted unanimously to schedule a special election for February 10. The goal is to seek voter approval for a bond referendum aimed at purchasing and improving a portion of the historic Rauschenberg property.
The Referendum Details The resolution calls for a ballot question asking the electorate to authorize general obligation bonds not to exceed $24 million. These funds would be secured by the district’s ad valorem taxing power and designated specifically for the acquisition of real property and subsequent capital improvements.
While the district’s offer to the Rauschenberg Foundation was approximately $22 million, the bond cap was set at $24 million to provide a financial cushion for necessary site improvements. Officials emphasized that this figure is a ceiling (“up to”), not a mandatory spending amount.
Status of the Land Deal Commissioner Jeff Brown and Fire Chief Jeff Pawul provided a status update prior to the vote. The district has submitted a letter of intent to acquire approximately 9.81 acres of the 22-acre bayside property.
Currently, the situation remains “in limbo” as the Foundation has not yet accepted or rejected the offer. However, the district is exploring multiple avenues:
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Direct Purchase: Buying the parcels directly from the Foundation.
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Partnership: Coordinating with other potential private buyers. Brown noted that two potential buyers competing for the full property have expressed interest in selling the specific acres the Fire District needs if they win the bid.
Timeline and “Off-Ramp” The district faced an immediate deadline to submit the ballot language to the Lee County Elections Office. However, they have a 45-day window to remove the referendum from the ballot if the land deal does not materialize. Chief Pawul expressed confidence that they will have clarity on the Foundation’s decision within that timeframe.
Other District Updates Beyond the land acquisition, the commission addressed several operational items:
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South Seas Ladder Truck: The commission previously approved an agreement regarding funding for a new ladder truck with South Seas. However, Chief Pawul reported that the district has not yet received a response from resort executives or attorneys. It was noted that the funding agreement is triggered when a permit is pulled, which may explain the delay.
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Equipment Upgrades: The board authorized the purchase of two Zoll automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Additionally, the district has applied for a grant from the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) to replace electronics and the pump on the fire boat.
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Monthly Statistics: In October, the district responded to 31 incidents and conducted 16 fire inspections.
