During a 4-hour budget workshop session last night the Fort Myers Beach Town Council listened to a presentation from staff that would reduce the proposed 26% millage rate increase to zero. That included a slew of cuts Town Manager Will McKannay was hoping to have in his budget that begins October 1.
The town is facing a $1.19 million budget deficit, according to Finance Director Joe Onzik. To fill that gap, McKannay asked the town to raise the millage rate from .99 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation to $1.25, an increase of 26%.
If all the cuts the Town Council heard last night go through, taxpayers will not be responsible to pay for fireworks on New Years Eve or the 4th of July, other events run by the town could come to an end, and town-run pickleball leagues, youth leagues and clinics will be eliminated. Several staff positions will remain unfilled, hours at Bay Oaks might be shortened, and services at The Mound House could be reduced…