Author: LeAneSUAREZGroup

The Lee County School Board has approved a tentative $2.7 billion budget for the 2025–26 school year. The decision came during the first of two public budget hearings held on July 29, with the final hearing set for September 9 at 5:05 p.m.

Key Millage Rates & Tax Impact

The board adopted a total millage rate of 5.319, projected to raise $863.6 million. This includes:

• Required Local Effort: 3.071 mills ($498.6M to be raised)

• Basic Discretionary Millage: 0.748 mills ($121.4M to be raised)

• Capital Outlay: 1.500 mills ($243.5M to be raised)

For context, one mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed taxable property value. The new rate represents a 1.43% increase over last year’s rollback rate and comes alongside a 5.39% increase in the county’s tax roll to $169 billion.

Budget Director Kelly Letcher noted it’s the first time in recent memory that both the tax roll and millage rate have increased together. Chief Financial Officer Dr. Ami Desamours added that the rise in the tax roll is the smallest since 2019 and may signal a continued trend in the coming years.

What This Means for Homeowners

• Home valued at $105,390 (up from $100,000): School taxes will be $560.57, an increase of $31.97.

• Homestead/Save Our Homes cap at 3% (value now $103,000): School taxes will be $414.88, an increase of $18.43.

Budget Breakdown

The total budget of $2,798,172,189 is allocated across five main categories:

• General Operating: $1,258,324,703

• Special Revenue: $117,280,254

• Debt Service: $71,050,046

• Capital Outlay: $1,129,782,490

• Internal Service: $221,734,696

Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin’s $9.1 million “realignment” shifted more resources directly into classrooms. A significant portion of the general fund — about $1 billion — comes from the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), which also includes an estimated $90 million for Family Empowerment Scholarships.

The budget includes a $90 increase per full-time equivalent (FTE) employee, bringing the total to $9,331, and raises the base student allocation to $5,372.60 — a $41.62 increase from last year.

Next Steps: The final budget hearing is scheduled for September 9, 5:05 p.m.

A laughing gull trapped in discarded fishing line at the Causeway Islands Park is getting a second chance at life, thanks to the quick action of local rescuers.

On August 4, Lee County Parks & Recreation staff and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) shorebird biologists rushed to the scene after spotting the distressed bird. The team carefully freed the gull, which had become dangerously entangled.

Sadly, incidents like this are all too common along our shores. “Wildlife entanglement is a frequent problem on our beaches,” SCCF noted. “You can help prevent the next close call by disposing of fishing line properly at designated recycling stations, such as our Mind Your Line stations across Sanibel and surrounding areas.”

There are currently four monofilament recycling stations on the causeway. If you cannot access a station, SCCF recommends cutting used fishing line into small pieces before placing it in the trash.

The rescued gull was taken to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) for evaluation and treatment. “We’re optimistic he will be back in the wild soon,” SCCF shared.

Find a recycling station: View the map here
ℹ️ Learn more about the Mind Your Line program: Visit mindyourline.org

The Sanibel Recreation Center has shared updates on seasonal programs, community events, and facility maintenance.

Facility Closure & Parking Permits

• Annual Maintenance Closure: Now through August 9

• Reopening Date: August 11

• Parking Permit Sales: Through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Sanibel Planning Department, 2475 Library Way

Fall Aftercare Program

Dates: August 11 – November 7
Grades: Kindergarten through 8th grade
Activities:

• Supervised homework time

• Active play & sports

• Arts & crafts

• Swimming

• Social and emotional growth activities

Cost: $390 members | $490 non-members (per child)
Financial aid available for those who qualify. Registration required.

Sanibel Storm Youth Basketball

Season: Mid-August – Early October
Schedule:

• Fridays (Aug. 15 – Oct. 3):

  • Grades K–1 & 2–3 → 4:30–5:30 p.m.

  • Grades 4–5 & 6–8 → 5:30–6:30 p.m.

• Mondays (Aug. 18 – Sept. 29):

  • Tiny & Pre-K4 → 4:15–5 p.m.

Banquet: October 3
Cost: $45 members | $56 non-members
Sponsors: Periwinkle Place Shops & Whitney’s Bait & Tackle

Volunteer Coaches Meeting

Date: August 16, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Purpose: Streamline onboarding for youth sports coaches.
Requirements:

• Completed volunteer application & code of conduct

• Background check clearance

• Affidavit of good moral character (notarized annually)

• Compression-Only CPR certification (free, provided by City of Sanibel)

• Youth concussion awareness training

Contact:

• Deputy Director Char Durand → charlotte.durand@mysanibel.com

• Recreation Program Coordinator Chase Brown → chasen.brown@mysanibel.com

Community Cookbook for a Cause

The Sanibel-Captiva Cookbook is now in its fourth reprint.

• Price: $40

• Includes: Recipes, stories, and island history

• Proceeds benefit: Youth Financial Assistance Program & Children’s Education Center of the Islands

• To order: Contact the center for in-person purchase or shipping options

General Information

Hours:

• Mon–Thu: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

• Fri: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

• Sat: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Address: 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel
Phone: 239-472-0345
Register & Program Schedule: Sanibel Rec Catalog

In a closely watched and hotly debated decision, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted 3–1 on August 6 to approve a rezoning request for the South Seas resort on Captiva, paving the way for a major redevelopment project.

The approval follows a recommendation from Lee County Chief Hearing Examiner Donna Marie Collins, who supported the rezoning with 20 conditions.

County Board Ok SS1

County Board Ok SS1

County Board Ok SS1

What Was Approved

The plan rezones about 120 acres from multiple residential and commercial categories to Mixed Use Planned Development, allowing:

• Up to 193 multiple-family dwelling units

• 435 hotel units

• Resort amenities, infrastructure, and accessory structures

The redevelopment will center on two main clusters—one at the south end and one at the north end of the property.

Commission Vote

• For: Vice Chairman Cecil Pendergrass, Commissioners Mike Greenwell, Brian Hamman

• Against: Chairman Kevin Ruane

• Absent: Commissioner David Mulicka

Supporters’ Position

South Seas representatives and consultants argued that:

• The plan aligns with the Lee Plan and Future Land Use Map.

• Building heights and density are compatible with the resort’s existing character.

• Infrastructure providers confirmed capacity for increased water and sewer demands.

• The project would drive economic impact and job creation.

Opposition Concerns

Opposition came from Captiva and Sanibel officials, attorneys, environmental groups, condo associations, timeshare owners, and residents, citing:

• Violation of long-standing 912-unit development limit.

• Increased density and building heights far beyond current norms.

• Potential strain on wastewater systems and environmental risks to fragile barrier island ecosystems.

• Setting a precedent for future high-density development on Captiva.

• Inconsistency with the Captiva Community Plan and county codes.

Key Points from the Debate

• Supporters emphasized Captiva’s existing resort nature, post-Hurricane Ian rebuilding needs, and market demand.

• Opponents pointed to over two years of organized resistance, including petitions with 13,000+ signatures, and raised legal challenges.

• Chairman Ruane, a former Sanibel mayor, voted “no” citing unresolved wastewater capacity issues.

What’s Next

While the rezoning is now approved, legal challenges from property owners, associations, and community groups are ongoing. The project’s progress will likely be closely monitored, given its potential to reshape Captiva’s density, skyline, and environmental balance.

On July 25, Cape Coral officials celebrated the removal of the Chiquita Lock, a decades-old structure designed to protect local waters. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), however, has voiced concern over the long-term environmental consequences of the decision.

A Lock Built for Protection

Constructed in the 1980s, the Chiquita Lock’s primary role was to filter polluted water from Cape Coral’s canal system before it entered the Matlacha Pass and Caloosahatchee Estuary—critical habitats for Southwest Florida’s marine life.

After Hurricane Ian severely damaged the lock in 2022, city leaders opted for removal rather than repair or modernization.

A Missed Opportunity for Improvement

Opponents of repairing the lock cited boating delays and safety concerns. SCCF noted that these issues could have been addressed by installing a modernized, high-speed, two-way lock equipped with advanced sensors and manatee exclusion devices.

Without the lock in place, SCCF warns that nutrients from the canals will now flow freely into surrounding waters, potentially harming the estuary’s delicate balance.

Ongoing Environmental Monitoring

SCCF has pledged to closely monitor water quality trends in the coming months and years to detect any signs of environmental degradation linked to the lock’s removal.

The next week of the ongoing Love Sanibel Back summer campaign will take place from Aug. 10–16 on Sanibel and Captiva. The initiative, running through August, is designed to connect the island community and support local businesses.

Two community gatherings are scheduled:

• Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. – The Shipyard at the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina, 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva

• Aug. 16 at 9 a.m. – A Bit of Bailey’s, 975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel

Campaign buttons will be distributed at each event, and the first 20 customers will receive a free reusable tote bag. The Sanibel Recreation Center is also participating, offering select complimentary classes. Space is limited; call 239-472-0345 to register.

The campaign is organized by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in partnership with the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, SanCap Chamber, and the City of Sanibel.

For more details, visit saintmichaels-sanibel.org/love-sanibel-back. To provide support from anywhere, visit saintmichaels-sanibel.org/lsb-online.