Council rejects budget option to increase fees for parks and recreation

Aug 4, 2026 By MEGHAN BRADBURY 2 min read

The Cape Coral City Council quickly took an option off the table after the community spoke against raising fees by up to 80% for parks and recreation.

The emotions ran high as parents and kids alike shared how important it is to have youth sports in the community.

Cape American Baseball President Deanna Livingston was among those who spoke with high emotion in her voice.

“The proposed $24,000 change will devastate the league and mission – a safe, positive, affordable place to learn the game of baseball,” she said. “Our players learn teamwork, responsibility, sportsmanship, perseverance and what it means to be part of the community.”

She said as a nonprofit organization, they find sponsorships, hold concessions and fundraise, as the registration fee does not pay for everything.

“Any additional yearly expense, we don’t have any profit margins or additional funds,” Livingston said. “Youth baseball should not be another opportunity children loose because families simply cannot afford it.”

Another speaker shared how coaches that pulled him aside and encouraged him when he was young, ignited the desire  became a volunteer youth soccer coach himself.

Stan Toro, president of the Cape Coral Soccer Association, said they have 3,000 players a year. He said registration would have to go through the roof if they have to come up with $53,000 for the fees.

“Not one council member sitting up here asked for this to be on the agenda. When it comes to the parks and recreation fee adjustments, that is being proposed by staff,” Mayor John Gunter said. “We asked the city manager to bring back options, so we can keep our millage rate at 5.1471 mills. We are trying to keep the millage rate at the same place it is today.”

Councilmember Keith Long said it was a shame that the speakers were brought into the process as “pawns.” He said there are plenty of options and there was no chance the option to increase fees would pass.

“Why bring this publicly and generate all this drama,” Long said. “It’s unfortunate that we got here. I am sorry you all were brought into it.”

The council ultimately combined two options – one Gunter brought forward of utilizing $871,338 from positions left vacant for an extended amount of time, and the other that city staff proposed of utilizing interest earning money.

To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com