Shoreline protection and financial planning took center stage on August 20, 2026, as the Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) held a dedicated workshop to fine-tune the upcoming special assessment notice for island property owners.
Following the board’s earlier vote setting a baseline $10 million levy, commissioners and district consultants worked through the exact methodology and wording for the formal notices that will soon arrive in property owners’ mailboxes.
At the LeAneSuarezGroup, we track local infrastructure assessments closely. Coastal protection directly impacts barrier island property values, neighborhood storm resilience, and holding costs across Captiva Island’s residential communities.
County Funding Update: Requesting $4.5 Million in Relief
Chairman Bob Walter opened the workshop with encouraging news regarding inter-governmental funding. About a month prior, the CEPD submitted a formal request to Lee County for $4.5 million in additional financial assistance to help offset total project expenses and reduce the burden on local property owners.
Following recent discussions with county leadership, Walter reported that county officials expressed strong support for the funding request, which is scheduled for formal review during an upcoming Lee County budget workshop.
PROJECT FINANCING COMPARISON
[ TOTAL PROJECT COST ] ──► ~$33 Million (Includes tilling, plantings & execution)
[ PRIOR PROJECT COST ] ──► ~$24 Million (Previous restoration benchmark)
[ COUNTY AID REQUEST ] ──► $4.5 Million sought from Lee County to lower local burden
[ TOTAL APPORTIONMENT ] ──► ~$10 Million to ~$12 Million split among property owners
Notice Range Debate: $10 Million vs. $12 Million
During the meeting, representatives from district consultant Governmental Management Services (GMS) presented a draft letter prepared with a $12 million apportionment figure. This prompted a debate among commissioners regarding the appropriate numbers to state in the public notice:
-
Chairman Bob Walter: Favored presenting a range of $10 million to $12 million on the property owner notice to ensure flexibility, but expressed openness to listing $12 million if a range is legally restricted.
-
Secretary & Treasurer Bernie Dupre: Advocated for maintaining the $10 million figure previously voted on by the board or listing an “estimated $10 million,” emphasizing that the board has no established baseline for higher amounts.
“We have no basis for 12, no basis for 11, no basis for 15.” — Bernie Dupre, CEPD Secretary & Treasurer
Following board deliberations, the commission directed GMS to utilize the $10 million to $12 million range in the mailed notices if permitted by statutory guidelines, or to designate the cost as an estimated $10 million if a single figure is required.
How the Apportionment Model Works
In response to public inquiries regarding the calculation formula, Chairman Walter and GMS clarified that the fundamental methodology mirrors past renourishment cycles, balancing two core criteria:
APPORTIONMENT MODEL DRIVERS
[ STORM PROTECTION ] ──► Assessed based on the property's physical flood/erosion barrier benefit.
[ RECREATION BENEFIT ]──► Assessed based on direct shoreline access and beach usage value.
[ HOMESTEAD CREDIT ] ──► Statutory discount applied for primary Florida homestead residences.
While the core principles remain identical, the updated model incorporates current real estate variables—including shifts in parcel counts, updated property classifications, and current just/market property valuations established by the property appraiser.
The district continues to refine the final apportionment roll ahead of upcoming public hearings, ensuring that the cost of defending Captiva’s shoreline is distributed equitably across the island.
