SUMMER 2008 On The Move A QuarterlY UPDate FROM YOUR CITY HALL Cape Coral Property Values Drop More than 26 Percent City’s heavy reliance on property taxes may result in almost $26 million of revenue loss n June 1, the Lee County Property Ap- budget and service levels for the past two years. “We already modified our budget and have praiser released the preliminary numbers The combination of the poor real estate market, made $18 million in service and capital reduc- O for taxable property values, and the City passage of Amendment One and additional property tions in anticipation of lower revenues,” said of Cape Coral’s estimated drop in value has sur- tax restrictions placed on local governments by the Stewart. “Adding another $8 million in cuts will passed the forecast of City budget officials. state Legislature has created a difficult funding situ- have a greater impact on our services to the com- “We were planning for a significant drop in ation for Cape Coral – a city that relies far more on munity.” values, and our budget model certainly reflected property tax revenues than most other municipali- The City Manager’s Proposed Budget for FY that premise,” said City Manager Terry Stewart. ties in the state. 2009 will be submitted to City Council in July. n “However, our model was forecasting an 18 per- cent drop, which means the numbers from the Property Appraiser raise a greater concern for our future budgets.” Swimming Pool Safety this Summer Cape Coral experienced significant growth in taxable value during the building boom a few ach year, Cape Coral rescue workers re- emergency plan checklist years ago. Expecting a dropoff in the real estate spond to emergency calls of children or near the phone, which market, the City planned for reductions in the E adults found floating in a pool. When includes emergency values, and has been making adjustments to the summer rolls around and school is out, every- contact numbers. one wants to go swimming. However, a fun and Empty any container cooling event can quickly turn to tragedy. that will hold water. HIGHLIGHTS The National Safety Council recommends the This includes items such following guidelines to ensure safety and pre- as buckets, inflatable n Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Update . .4 vent tragedy. pools, fountains, and n Cape Remains One of FL’s Safer Cities . 5 Maintain constant adult supervision of aquariums that cannot n Sun Splash - New Speed Slides . 6 children. Even a momentary lapse in supervi- be secured. n Golf Course Offers Summer Fun . .7 sion in a swimming pool can result in a tragedy. Use multiple barriers Never assume that someone else is watching around the backyard n Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month . .8 your child. Maintain constant contact. If your pool. Familiarize guests n Buyouts for All City Unions . 9 child is missing, go to the edge of the pool and and pool users with bar- n 2008 Storm Season Flooding Threat . 10. look in first. riers and gates to ensure proper use. Always n 2008 Hurricane Season . 14. Have a family emergency plan and practice. Everyone that uses the pool should know what latch properly. n Two-Day Watering Schedule . 15. to do. Teach children water n Vial of LIFE Can Save Your Life . 16. Know CPR. Seconds count in a drowning safety skills. Children n Economic Dev . Wins Top Honors . 17. emergency, and the minutes it could take for should be taught safety n Chemical Waste Collection Process . 18. EMTs to arrive could be the difference between around the pool as well as how to swim. n Sign Up for CodeRED . 19. recovery, brain damage or death. continued on page 4 n Public Works Developments . 20. Keep a portable phone poolside. Post an 2 SUMMER 2008 WWW.caPECOral.NET City of Cape Coral Council Members DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 2 DISTRICT 3 DISTRICT 4 James Burch Peter Brandt William Deile Dolores Bertolini 239-574-0437 239-574-0437 239-574-0437 239-574-0437 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] DISTRICT 5 DISTRICT 6 DISTRICT 7 Eric Grill Tim Day Derrick Donnell, Ed.D 239-574-0437 239-574-0437 239-574-0437 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] City of Cape Coral Administration City Manager Assistant City Manager Economic Development Human Resources Police Department Terry Stewart Carl Schwing Mike Jackson, Director Wayne Howard, Director Rob Petrovich, Chief City Attorney City Clerk Financial Services Information Technology Services Public Works Dolores Menendez Bonnie Potter Mark Mason, Director John MacLean, Director Chuck Pavlos, Director City Auditor Community Development Fire Services Parks and Recreation Editor/Public Information Dona J. Newman Hector Rivera, Director Bill Van Helden, Chief Steve Pohlman, Director Connie Barron, Director On The Move is a quarterly newsletter produced by the City of Cape Coral for the citizens of the city. The publication is mailed as a courtesy to every household and business in the city. Comments or questions can be directed to the City Manager’s Office, P.O. Box 150027, Cape Coral, FL 33915-0027 or by e-mail to [email protected]. WWW.caPECOral.Net SUMMER 2008 3 Mayor’s Message beautiful winter and early spring are now a unleash the enormous potential for commercial develop- caution when driving fond memory, and we look toward a great ment, including the long-awaited regional mall. Thanks down our residential A summer in Cape Coral. This year’s dry sea- to the efforts of many groups and individuals, most no- streets. The residential son has been…well…dry. But thanks to your conser- tably State Representative Gary Aubuchon and City staff, speed limit is 30 MPH, vation efforts and the City’s development of increased we are at the cusp of a financing mechanism that will not and our police depart- storage capacity, our canals are nearly full, and pres- only accelerate the construction of the road, but will not ment will be strictly sures in the irrigation system are excellent. come at Cape Coral taxpayer expense. Please join me enforcing speed limits. in thanking our local legislative delegation for a job well When in a neighbor- The City Council is very concerned about the done in Tallahassee this session for Cape Coral. hood with children at play, please exercise common economy and its effects on our residents. We have sense and drive below the speed limit. Also, the city Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to reflect and heard the concerns about foreclosed and partially has been the scene of several drownings of children give thanks to all those who have given their lives in the completed homes in your area, and have responded over the past year. These tragedies can and should protection of our country and the furtherance of free- by streamlining our ability to enter properties which be avoided by installation of baby fences and alarms, dom. I am proud our city honors its Veterans in many are not being maintained and keep the grass low and and adequate adult supervision. The parents of these ways. Please take a moment to visit Four Mile Eco-Park perform other tasks. Our intention is to recover these children never thought it could happen to them, and this summer and look at our life-sized replica of the costs by liening the properties which are maintained now they have endured the greatest loss imaginable. Iwo Jima memorial, as well as the new memorial to our this way, rather than having the taxpayers of our city My prayers are with the families of the victims, and Korean War Veterans. Of course, the best way to truly pay. Your help is vital to pinpoint where code viola- for such tragedies to never be repeated. tions are taking place, and I encourage you to contact understand and appreciate the sacrifices of our military our Citizens Action Line at 574-0425 for these and is to speak with one of our thousands of veterans living Thank you for all you do to make Cape Coral a safe, other city matters. in Cape Coral. We thank them all! clean, and enjoyable place to live. It continues to be my privilege to serve our community as Mayor. n The City has been determined to widen Pine Island As Summer approaches, I request you keep a watch- Road (SR 78) between Chiquita and Burnt Store to ful eye on your neighborhood children, and exercise City Manager’s Message ith the exodus of our winter residents, one The main problem with this over-reliance on property tations of our citizenry. would think that this might be a less-active taxes is that when something happens to negatively af- We added more police W time of year for your City government. How- fect property values, or restrictions are imposed on the officers and equipped ever, the summer months are the busiest time of the collection of property taxes, the impact upon Cape Coral them to patrol the city. year for many of our departments. revenues is significantly greater; about twice as much. In We added more fire- Our budget presentation to Council occurs during the past year, we have seen a precipitous drop in property fighters and equipment the summer. We must prepare a balanced budget to values, the passage of Amendment One, and the millage to respond to increased the City Council for consideration and approval. With rate restrictions placed by the state Legislature in their calls for service. We decreasing property values, additional homestead 2007 session. paved more roads than we paved in previous years.