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September 14, 2022 / Issue #2022-37
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September Town Council meetings are focused on the Fiscal Year 2023 budget
In this month's budget hearings of Town Council, a property tax millage increase of .04 is being debated to fund recurring new initiatives. Initiatives include increased public safety, beach re-nourishment, roadway safety lighting, and workforce housing, among others.
Keep this important fact in mind as you hear about or listen to these meetings:
At .99 mills (up from the current .95 mills) it is estimated that a homesteaded property appraised at $538,000 would pay $533 PER YEAR in taxes to the Town of Fort Myers Beach. This is an increase of $21.52 ANNUALLY, or less than $2 a month in annual taxes to the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
Other important factors:
- When we benchmark the Town relative to other municipalities based on 2021 Florida municipality millage rates, only nine other municipalities in the State of Florida have a lower millage rate than the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
- We should be extremely proud that we rank 381 out of the 391 local governments in Florida, which includes one municipality that is dissolved, if the rate remains at .95 mills.
- Assuming that the rate is ultimately adjusted to .99 mills, the Town’s ranking would then become 380 out of 391 rising one point to the 11th lowest in the State of Florida, including one municipality that is dissolved.
- In local comparisons, property owners annually pay $2,182 to Lee County; $3,263 to the Lee County Public Schools, and $1,608 to the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District, among others.
The 2nd public hearing will be Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, at 5:01 p.m. at Town Hall, 2525 Estero Boulevard. The first hearing was conducted on Thursday, Sept. 8, starting at 5:01 p.m. Listen to it and the regular Town Council meeting here.
Visit the Town's Finance webpage.
Read an editorial published in the Fort Myers Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin from Town Manager Roger Hernstadt.
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Mound House's private lane to be named in honor of Ann and Dan Hughes
The circular lane that surrounds the Mound House at 451 Connecticut Street is soon to become “Ann & Dan Hughes Loop.”
At the September 8, 2022, meeting, Town Council Adopted Resolution 22-28 ratifying the action that had been taken in a Council meeting on August 15, 2022.
The late Ann and Dan Hughes were ardent benefactors of the Mound House, giving much time, attention and financial resources to establish it as the historical crown jewel of Fort Myers Beach that it is today.
The couple donated funds for Mound House’s restoration efforts and exhibits, and Dan Hughes personally worked with a consultant to finance and furnish the Case 1909 Living Room with antique period pieces. The room displays a plaque that states the room was furnished by Dan Hughes in loving memory of his wife, Ann, who passed away in 2011.
When Dan passed away in 2021, his estate bequeathed a large donation to the Friends of the Mound House, a 501c3 fundraising organization that he helped form.
Dan has also given an unsurpassed amount of time and attention to the Town of Fort Myers Beach, having served on Town Council and as mayor and vice mayor. He also served on many of the Town’s boards and committees over the years, including the audit committee (of which he was a founding member) up to a few months before his passing.
He was a longtime member of the Local Planning Agency (LPA), and is credited with authoring the Town’s Land Development Code.
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At the September 8 Town Council meeting, permitting was approved for the annual Roar Offshore Boat Racing event to be held October 6-8, 2022, including the following: |
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1) Waiver of 50 percent of the permit fees;
2) Waiver of open container restriction for October 6 from 5 to 10 p.m. in the Downtown District streets where the boats will be on display (Old San Carlos, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Times Square);
3) Reduced parking fees for 71 spaces on these streets for 12 hours;
4) Street closures starting at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 for the parade and street party. The Mantanzas Pass Bridge is expected to be closed during the parade from about 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6. (FDOT and the Lee County Sheriff oversee permission and logistics for the bridge closure.)
Traffic is expected to be particularly heavy for the parade and street party on October 6, and throughout the following days of the event.
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It's hurricane seasonEven though we have not experienced as many storms so far this season as we have during past seasons, the most active period often tends to be from now through November. |
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Calling all locals who are interested in water qualityEstero Bay Aquatic Preserve is looking for dedicated volunteers to sample water quality in Estero Bay monthly. This is part of a long-term citizen science program called the Charlotte
Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
Volunteers learn about water sampling and contribute to a long-term dataset used by natural resource managers throughout Florida. Volunteers are expected to attend an initial training, sample at sunrise on the first Monday of each month and attend biannual refresher training.
There are opportunities to sample from land or by water, seasonally or year-round. All sampling equipment (except boats) is provided.
If interested, contact Rebecca Cray at 239-530-1002 or email Rebecca.Cray@floridadep.gov.
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It's sea turtle nesting season
Turtle hatchlings are emerging from their nests!
100 nests on FMB have hatched
PLEASE do your part to keep the beach dark so they make it safely across the sand to the Gulf - close curtains at dusk, turn off outside lights that are not turtle-safe, do not use flashlights or phone lights on the beach, fill in holes on the beach and remove items from the beach.
WE ALL - residents, visitors, property owners, business owners - have responsibilities in this season to keep the beach safe for nesting turtles and their hatchlings. |
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1) Draw your curtains after sunset2) Turn off unnecessary lights
3) Use the proper long wavelength lights that are downward directed and shielded from the beach.
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Sea Turtle Nests are hatching on Fort Myers Beach. Unfortunately, some of them are going the wrong way due to lights from houses, condos, and resorts.
The hatchling in this picture and others were found under condos and houses after being disoriented by the property's lights. Some were rescued but many likely perished due to predators, exhaustion, and dehydration.
It is so important that visitors and owners draw their curtains at sunset to shield interior lights that can cause disorientations of sea turtle hatchlings. Cooling sand after the sun goes down cues the hatchlings to emerge.
The Town also requests property owners and managers on the beach to turn off unnecessary lights and/or convert exterior lights to long wavelength bulbs in downward directed fixtures that shield the bulbs from the beach. Long wavelength light is on the ROY side of Rainbow’s ROYGBIV, whereas white light contains the entire spectrum.
Loggerhead Turtles are protected by the Endangered Species Act, Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act, and The Town of Fort Myers Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Code. The Town considers disorientation of sea turtle hatchlings from man-made lights as an irreparable and irreversible violation with a fine of up to $5,000.
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Fort Myers Beach
Distance: 7 miles
Nests: 109
NNE*: 158
Nests Hatched: 100
*NNE stands for Non Nesting Emergence which means that the turtle crawled ashore but did not nest.
Bonita Beach (2 miles long) 283 nests; 267 Hatched |
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FWC Certified Wildlife Friendly bulbs are available
at Town Hall, 2525 Estero Boulevard, at cost.
Stop by between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to purchase.The larger red bulb is $6 and the smaller amber light is $16. |
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New in TownElectric vehicle car charging station ports
In June of this year, Town Council approved a resolution authorizing the Town Manager to enter into a piggyback contract with Charge Point, Inc., to install three new electric vehicle charging station ports.
Two of the stations were installed earlier this month at Newton Beach Park and Town Hall. They are Level 2 Dual EV charging stations.
The cost to charge a vehicle is $1.50 an hour. Parking charges according to the sign at the space also apply.
The third - a Level 3 dual fast electric vehicle charging station at Times Square/Center Street - requires a specialized electrical service and is to be installed in the future. The Level 3 charging rates will be per minute. |
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 Town Hall
2525 Estero Blvd.
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 Newton Park
4562 Strandview Ave.
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Demonstration bike and bus lane markings on Estero Boulevard between Andre Mar and Connecticut Street installed by Lee County at our request |
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Enjoy the FMB Community Pool's new obstacle course
Fun for all ages and the entire family! |
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Swimmers can play and exercise on the inflatable obstacle course and even race one another. Visitors must be able to swim on their own to use the course. The course has a tunnel for swimmers to either go through or climb, a trampoline, and a slide to cool off afterwards.
The course will be set up again in the pool on these dates:
September 26 - October 2
October 24 - October 30
November 21 - November 27
December 26 - January 2
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 NEW! Obstacle course at the FMB Community Pool on select dates
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Did you know?
You can contact Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District to service an area where you are noticing mosquito activity.
Make a service request online or call 239-463-6350 |
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The Stories Beneath Our Feet exhibit, located in the Underground Archaeological Museum at the Mound House, will be closed to the public from Monday, Sept.19 through Monday, Sept. 26 for maintenance.
The Main Museum will be open during this time and all visitors who pay museum admission will receive a museum admission pass to return to the Mound House to view the underground Archaeological Museum when it reopens.
All scheduled programs will continue to be offered as listed on the Mound House September calendar.
Weekly Events September 15, through September 24
September 2022 Calendar
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Mound House is partnering with Holbook Travel to host a trip to Mexico in February of 2023.
Details |
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The Fort Myers Beach Fire District is planning a community event for Saturday, Oct. 15, for Fire Prevention Week, which will include the Town and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Watch the Fire District’s Facebook and Twitter social media pages for more details.
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Put Friday, Oct. 21 on your calendar and plan to bring the entire family in their favorite costumes to Fright Night at Bay Oaks.
We are seeking volunteers NOW
for this popular event.
Interested in volunteering in the haunted house or haunted trail, assisting with games, handing out candy or other event necessities?
Call Bay Oaks at (239) 765-4222 |
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Help us keep Fright Night the best "candy-grabbing" party around!
Bring any candy donations to the FMB Pool (2600 Oak Street) or
Bay Oaks Recreational Campus (2731 Oak Street) |
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Environmental education pop-up booth hosted by the Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force
Representatives from the Town's Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force (MERTF) are hosting a pop-up educational booth at various locations around Town throughout the month. |
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Some seats on each of the Town's advisory boards and committees expire by the end of September every year and members must re-apply.
Community members interested in serving as volunteers to advise and support the work of Town government are encouraged to apply. The boards and committees exist to advise Town Council about Bay Oaks Recreational Campus, the Matanzas Pass Mooring Field, Mound House, Newton Beach Park, finances, island preservation and history, marine resources, anchorage, nuisance abatement, and public safety. |
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ATTENTION BUILDING CONTRACTORS
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Effective June 21, 2022: All new application submittals must be done through the Request Portal. Any new applications sent to buildingpermits@fmbgov.com will be returned.
Effective June 21, 2022: All inspections will need to be requested through the Permit Portal. If you need your access code, please email inspections@fmbgov.com |
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Effective September 22, 2022, all contractors registered with the Town MUST be a licensed contractor through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Contractors licensed through the Lee County Contractor Licensing Board will not be allowed to register with the Town or apply for building permits. |
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Keep up on the schedule of Town Council and advisory committee meetingsAll meetings are at Town Hall, 2525 Estero Boulevard
Live and recorded meetings can also be viewed on the
Town of Fort Myers Beach YouTube channel. Live meetings can be watched on Comcast Channel 98 View the meeting calendar on the Town's websiteUpcoming meetings
Tuesday, September 20 / 9:00 a.m.
Public Safety Committee (PSC) Meeting
Wednesday, September 21 / 9:00 a.m.
Anchorage Advisory Committee (AAC) Meeting
Thursday, September 22 / 3:00 p.m.
Town Council Meeting Meeting
Thursday, September 22 / 5:01 p.m.
Town Council Budget Meeting Meeting
*Meetings are subject to change.
Please refer to the agendas posted on the Town's Website.
Town Hall is open for walk-in service from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointments are strongly encouraged to minimize wait times. Call 239-765-0202 to schedule an appointment with the appropriate department.
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Status of bids and proposals
The Town of Fort Myers Beach has partnered with DemandStar which is open and accessible to all businesses and gives instant access to RFPs, RFQs, and ITBs
Read more about bids and proposals
Currently open for bid:
ITB-22-26-UT - Tier 1 Side Streets Water and Stormwater Improvements
The scope of the project includes but is not limited to: the installation of potable water, stormwater improvements and potentially wastewater infrastructure improvements as well as road and right-of-way restoration along Town owned streets
RFQ-22-25-AD - Ongoing Miscellaneous Professional Services
Town of Fort Myers Beach anticipates seeking professional consultant services for the purpose of assisting the Town with miscellaneous professional services.
Currently under review:RFP-22-21- FN Financial Auditing Services
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