Cape property tax rate maximum to be set Monday
Cape Coral City Council will consider on Monday a resolution that would set the maximum property tax rate at its current level.
If left at that rate, the proposed millage for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, would be the same as it has been for the past two years.
The resolution would set the rollback rate – defined by Florida statutes as the millage rate that provides the same property tax revenue in total as was levied the previous year – at 7.5139 mils, while the proposed mil rate is the same as last year at 7.957.
But all of this goes under the assumption the city won’t implement a fire assessment next year.
Had the new fire assessment been implemented next budget year, the tax rate was proposed drop by one mil, or $1 per $1,000 of assessed taxable valuation.
Council already has approved a new 7 percent public services tax on electric bills.
Councilmember John Carioscia said the resolution, as proposed will fulfill a promise to not increase the property tax rate.
“We’re going to set the millage rate and at a later date we’ll do an amended rate that will lower it 1 mil,” Carioscia said. “They don’t want to lower it, common sense dictating if the fire assessment collapses, we’ve given money back with nothing in return.”
Public hearings will be held Thursday, Sept. 5 and 19 in council chambers at 5:05 p.m.
In other business, the city will revisit an offer by Miceli’s to purchase property in Matlacha off of Pine Island Road, which the city bought as part of its $13 million land acquisition last year.
The city is rejecting the offer because the property has not been declared surplus and so does not meet the requirements for property being sold to an adjoining landowner.
Carioscia said there are two other reasons the city won’t sell now.
“For one, the property isn’t up for sale, secondly, it is being looked upon as a future park because of the two boat launches,” Carioscia said. “If you try to get a launching ramp now, it’s very difficult with the Army Corps of Engineers.”
In April, Miceili’s offered $1.5 million for six parcels next to the restaurant to help ease the business’ parking problems.
Council voted on May 6 to have city staff research the process for annexation.
Miceli’s declined comment.
The city also is expected to appoint three members or alternates to the Planning & Zoning Commission, and appoint one of them to serve as a member on the Burnt Store Right-of-Way committee, as well as an alternate.
With the resignations of Frank Triscari and Max Forgey and the death of Paul Carlson, there has barely been enough commissioners for a quorum at the last several P&Z meetings.
Council is expected to appoint Glenn Hewitt and Joseph Kibitlewski from alternates to full members, appoint Amy Blackwood as a member and appoint Dragan Kovacevic as an alternate.