City of Cape Coral issues budget summation
The city of Cape Coral has issued the following release concerning Cape Coral City Council’s passage of its budget for fiscal year ’26:
The statement is presented below in its entirety, including formatting:
City Council Approves 2026 Budget, Lowers Millage Rate
The Cape Coral City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget during the final budget hearing Thursday, September 25. The $1.4 billion budget includes a reduction of the operating millage rate to 5.1471 and supports the City’s long-term strategic goals while helping to address population growth, inflationary pressures, and infrastructure needs.
The budget adds 63 new positions to enhance services across multiple departments, ensuring the City can meet the evolving needs of its residents.
Key Investments in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget:
ADVANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESILIENCE
Public safety remains a top priority in FY26, with significant new investments across police, fire, and emergency management services, including $99.5 million for the Fire Department, $91.8 million for the Police Department, and $2.1 million for Emergency Management and Resilience.
The budget includes an 11 percent increase in the Fire Service Assessment, boosting the cost recovery rate from 70 to 81 percent.
The budget includes key investments to strengthen Cape Coral’s fire services, focusing on staffing, facilities, training, and safety upgrades, including:
• $60.5 million allocated to fire personnel services, which include 19 new positions, including a new Rescue Unit and support roles
• $9.4 million for Fire Station 5 rebuild
• $1.4 million for direct capture exhaust air filter systems at all fire stations
• $1.1 million to replace aging fire department vehicles
• $949,279 for Fire Training Facility phase 3 design
The base pay for firefighters was increased by $2.97 per hour
Investments in Cape Coral’s police services support personnel growth, facility enhancements, and the addition of cutting-edge technology and equipment:
• $76.6 million allocated to police personnel services, including 16 new positions – nine police officers, a lieutenant, sergeants for training and school safety, an administrative assistant, a digital forensics technician, and two public service aides
• $1.2 million to replace aging police department vehicles
• $180,000 for new police speed measuring devices
• $94,000 for forensics LEICA laser scanner
• $54,692 for two new TruNarc narcotics scanners
• $10,000 hiring bonus continuing for new police officers
The budget includes funding focused on expanding emergency operations and boosting city communication systems to improve weather event resilience and connectivity, including:
• $8 million disaster reserve to provide temporary resources in the event of a federal- or state-declared emergency
• $1 million for city fiber and wireless conduit connecting city facilities with hardened communications in the event of weather events and providing fiber-supported wireless at parks and city facilities
• $300,000 for backup generators at lift stations
FISCAL HEALTH
Cape Coral is committed to maintaining strong fiscal health by enhancing the City’s resilience to economic fluctuations and disaster response, including:
• $62.2 million for the Budget Sustainability Reserve, which is equal to 2.8 months of FY26 General Fund expenditures. This reserve will bolster future fiscal resilience and support innovative initiatives, including sustainability-focused projects.
MODERNIZING INFRASTRUCTURE: ROADS, BRIDGES, AND CONNECTIVITY
The FY26 Adopted Budget includes major infrastructure upgrades, reflecting Cape Coral’s commitment to equitable access, mobility, and resilience, including.
• $17 million for road repaving, including alleyways
• $8.1 million for roadway improvements
• $3.2 million for Chiquita access management and turn lane improvements
• $3.5 million for transportation street lighting
• $2 million for the bridge capital project fund
• $1.1 million for sidewalk installation around schools
• $700,000 for median curbing
• $280,000 for the North Cape Public Safety Complex turn lane at Jacaranda and Averill
The budget allocates funds to maintain and improve key city facilities and infrastructure, supporting long-term community needs and operational efficiency, including:
• $850,000 for City Hall roof replacement
• $150,000 for security access and upgrades at city buildings
UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Cape Coral remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. The FY26 budget includes capital improvements and facility expansions to meet the demands of a growing population, including:
• $284.6 million for North 3 UEP water, sewer, irrigation transmission, utilities distribution, and fiber optics conduit
• $53 million for Southwest Water Reclamation Facility improvements
• $56.1 million for the Phase II North Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant and Wellfield expansions
• $13 million for Everest Headworks
• $5 million for a water reclamation north south transfer pump station
• $3.6 million for wastewater inflow and infiltration, which includes manhole maintenance and pipe relining
• $3.3 million for Judd Creek water and sewer line extension
• $4.6 million for water reclamation lift station improvements, which includes station relocation, panel and pump replacements
• $1.5 million to fund the backflow program
INVESTING IN QUALITY OF LIFE
Cape Coral continues to invest significantly in its parks and recreation infrastructure to provide enhanced amenities and improved facilities for residents, including:
• $3.5 million for Coral Oaks Golf Course operations
• $3.4 million for Lake Kennedy parking lot construction
• $3.2 million for a new neighborhood park at 2224 NE 15th St.
• $2.5 million for Coral Oaks Golf Course irrigation upgrade
• $1.5 million for playground replacements at Burton Park and Giuffrida Park
• $1.3 million for lighting replacements at Koza Saladino Fields 1 through 4 and the BMX Track
• $100,000 for fitness station replacements at Del Prado Linear Park
• $100,000 for tennis/pickleball court resurfacing at Camelot Park and Joe Stonis Park
In addition to facility improvements, Cape Coral prioritizes personnel support, beautification efforts, and diverse community programming, including:
• $16.8 million allocated to Parks and Recreation personnel services
• $1.2 million for city special events
• $1.6 million for the Frieda B. Smith Special Populations Center for adults and children with intellectual disabilities
• $1.2 million for Palm Tree Boulevard median beautification
• $720,353 for four code compliance officers and one supervisor
• $621,360 for community median beautification
• $411,407 to operate Pops Cafe, which employs members of the community with special needs
Youth programming:
• $1.1 million for programming at the Youth Center
• $118,771 for athletics programming
• $106,839 for programming at Four Freedoms Park
• $49,170 for programming at the South Cape Community Center
• $28,949 for programming at Lake Kennedy Center
• $23,548 for programming at Rotary Park
• $4,087 for programming at the Art Center
Senior programming:
• $106,989 for programming at Lake Kennedy Center
• $100,468 for athletics programming
• $35,558 for programming at Rotary Park
• $15,811 for programming at Four Freedoms Park
• $10,350 for programming at the South Cape Community Center
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WATER QUALITY
The budget prioritizes environmental protection through major investments in advanced stormwater management, flood prevention, drainage improvements, aquatic vegetation control, and water quality upgrades, including:
• $14.8 million for the North 3 Utility Expansion Project (UEP) Stormwater Advanced Drainage System
• $1 million for swale regrading to improve neighborhood drainage
• $4.3 million for stormwater drainpipe replacement to modernize aging infrastructure
• $2.2 million for dredging
• $1.7 million for flood prevention and roadway drainage
• $1.7 million for drainpipe and catch basin replacement
• $1 million for aquatic vegetation harvesting in the South Spreader Canal
• $585,000 for street sweeping
• $537,600 for Trafalgar drainage improvements
• $500,000 for water quality management Improvements
DRIVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
To encourage long-term prosperity and sustainability, the budget includes new economic initiatives, including:
• $2.6 million in targeted grants: This year’s budget dedicates grant funding to programs that strengthen entrepreneurship, environmental innovation, technology, and community development, including:
• $1.1 million for the Community Development Block Grant
• $561,243 for programs serving Special Populations
• $381,874 for the HOME Investment Partnership
• $583,684 for the Tourist Development Council
• $1.4 million for enhanced marketing and outreach to promote Cape Coral as a dynamic destination for residents, businesses, and visitors.
OASIS MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Cape Coral dedicates significant resources to its municipal charter school system and varied educational programs, enhancing learning opportunities for residents of all ages, including:
• $37.9 million to run the municipal charter school system
• $2.1 million toward lifestyle enrichment programs
• $278,383 to operate VPK programs at the Youth Center and Four Freedoms Park
Source; City of Cape Coral, Office of Communications