Council’s work far from over
Cape Coral City Council held this week what is likely to be its lone comprehensive workshop on the budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. The board agreed the proposal by former city manager, now assistant city manager, Carl Schwing was a good effort. It balanced the need to maintain essential services while adhering to a council directive that the property tax rate not be raised although property values continued their decline. We agree that Mr. Schwing did a good job given Lee County’s economic reality. Taxable property valuation — the value on which tax levies are based — has declined 55 percent in just three years. Cape Coral is looking at a near 16 percent decline this year alone, a figure that’s “good” compared to the crash we’ve seen the past few years. The city is looking at an operating budget of about $138 million and a property tax levy of 7.97 mills, or $7.97 for every $1,000 of taxable property valu.
» Full StoryVote Aug. 24
Voters looking to cast a ballot before election day have until 5 p.m. today to do so.
In the Cape, the early voting location is at the Cape Coral Branch Office for the Supervisor of Elections, 1031 S.E. 9th Place, No. 3.
Endorsement: Vote John Manning County Commission, District 1, Republican Primary
Republican voters face some fine choices in the District 1 County Commission race which includes three candidates who have served voters well in the past.
» Full StoryEndorsement: Vote Cecil L. Pendergrass County Commission, District 2, Republican Primary
It’s time for a change in District 2.
» Full StoryEndorsement: Vote Arnold A. Gibbs, School Board, District 1, Non-partisan race
Like many government entities across the state of Florida, the Lee County School Board is caught in the cross hairs of declining revenues and the need to maintain or even improve core services, in this case, a quality education for th...
Endorsement: Vote Steven K. Teuber, School board, District 4, Non-partisan race
When Steven Teuber first ran for the Lee County School Board eight years ago he promised to bring a business-like approach to a system fraught with problems.
» Full StoryEditorials Poll
Should the city of Cape Coral dredge its canals?






