Assessments will be addressed during the public hearing portion of the City Council’s Wednesday meeting – all of which are proposed to have increases for residents.

The first one up for discussion is Resolution 266-24, which addresses assessments for lot mowing services.

Vacant parcels within the program are divided among four districts are mowed 13 times a year from February through December. The program also includes pepper tree removal and owl nest trimming. The calculation for the rates are based on an of 5,000 square feet. Most Cape building parcels are two lot equivalents.

The proposed annual assessments for the upcoming fiscal year, equivalent lot unit, are as follows:

• District 1 proposed rate is $86.42, a $26.32 increase

• District 2 proposed rate is $44.77, a $3.94 increase

• District 3 proposed rate is $47.32, a $5.54 increases

• District 4 proposed rate is $43.21, a $3.75 increase

The annual assessment – per standard parcel are as follows:

• District 1 proposed rate $172.84, a $52.64 increase

• District 2 proposed rate $89.54, a $7.88 increase

• District 3 proposed rate $94.64, a $11.08 increase

• District 4 proposed rate of $86.42, $7.50 increase

Resolution 267-24 sets fees for solid waste services. Waste Pro will receive a 3.11% CPI increase and Lee County Board of Commissioners approved a 6% increase in all solid waste disposal fees. The city said the reason it needs to increase rates is to reduce the impact of future contract rate increases.

The proposed fiscal year 2025 total assessment per dwelling is $345.76, a $41.39 increase. The largest portion of that assessment is $29.88 for Cape Coral operating and personnel costs.

Resolution 268-24 sets the Fire protection assessment. It is computed to “recover” 70% cost of the cost Cape Coral Fire Department operations. That money goes into the city’s General Fund. Key costs cited include Fire Station 10 – North Cape Public Safety Complex with a $1.1 million estimated debt services; 10 additional staffing positions, ladder replacement of $1,943 million, engine replacement of $1.2 million and a rescue truck at $390,000.

At 70% cost recovery, the assessment for an average single family home is $478.39, an increase of $55.61, or a 13.15% change.

Stormwater fees are also among the public hearings. The fee is proposed at $149 per ERU, an increase from $142 last year.

The Wednesday, Aug. 28, meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall in the Cape Coral City Council chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.