During our Saturday morning walkaround at the new Town Hall Saturday morning, Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt hinted that it’s possible that the millage rate on Fort Myers Beach might not be going up at all next year. The Town Council was considering a 26% increase in the millage to help cover a budget shortfall.
Atterholt said town staff went back with sharper pencils and he’s somewhat confident there not only will not be a 26% increase, but there may not be an increase at all. Watch a clip of Atterholt talking about the millage rate HERE.
On Beach Talk Radio Sunday Mayor Dan Allers also said he was confident any increase would not be at 26% although he did not say it would be zero. He also said he’s gotten e-mail both for and against raising the millage rate.
The first of two budget public hearings will be held at the new town hall building Thursday night at 5:00PM. The second hearing is September 24th at 5PM which is also when the budget will be voted on. At the public hearings, the millage rate which was set for discussion at $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value can only come down. It cannot be raised any higher than $1.25. The current rate is .99. The 2026 fiscal year begins October 1st.