The Town of Fort Myers Beach is preparing for a crucial budget hearing scheduled for Thursday at 5:01 p.m. as officials face a $1.2 million deficit. The council will review approximately $1.2 million in proposed spending cuts to balance the budget.
Last month, the council approved a tentative 26% millage rate increase, moving from 0.99 to 1.255 mills, with the option to maintain or reduce the rate before final adoption. The increase aims to address budget gaps fueled by several financial pressures. These include an $11.9 million state loan secured after Hurricane Ian, rising law enforcement expenses, rising legal costs, and lost revenues. Additional property tax assessments of $670,000 were insufficient to cover rising expenses.
The town’s workforce has decreased by about 18 employees since last year, with 14 vacant positions currently posted. Some officials are calling for a hiring freeze to reduce costs. Concerns regarding budget transparency still exist, as there have been only minor details released and remain unanswered in a public way relating to legal costs and discrepancies separated by months…