The Jewel vs. County Neglect, Part II
To the editor:
In my last opinion, I pointed out that in the period 2005 to 2014, Lee County will likely collect from our Town’s property owners in excess of $150 million in taxes. Yet, our Town gets little in services back from County.
Does County have the money to help us? Absolutely.
At the end of County’s last fiscal year, County had:
n “Cash and equity in pooled cash and investments”: $1.134 billion
That’s right, over a billion in cash.With $491 million in net expenses for the same year, County’s cash on hand at year end was 2.3 times their annual net expenses for the whole year.
How many Islanders have enough money stashed away that could allow them to be as affluent as County?
But, forget for a moment County’s $1.1 billion cash horde. Look just at our property taxes to County.
Shouldour $150 million in property taxes place a duty on County to help our Town? That’s a fair question.
Our Town needs a make-over and removal of blight. We need traffic improvements. We need parking. Businesses need help.
Or consider the importance of our Beach alone to Lee County’s growth and tourism ambitions.
Would not County benefit in the long term in buying all of the Times Square area property inclosed in the circumference from Estero Boulevard to Crescent Street to Third Street to San Carlos Boulevard back to Estero Boulevard? Then, turn that ownership over to our Town.
It is a no brainer that our Town’s needed major improvements will result in improved property values. County wins with more tax revenue.
It’s time to change from County “Cash Hoarding” to County “Helping.”
Frank Schilling
Fort Myers Beach