Editorial | It’s your money
Cape Coral residents who want to see where the city of Cape Coral plans to spend their money will have a good opportunity to do that.
The city has scheduled a “Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Town Hall” for Thursday, July 23, in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
“The Town Hall will offer a comprehensive overview of the proposed FY27 budget. City staff will outline key priorities, upcoming projects, and funding allocations. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide input and ask questions,” city officials said in a release.
The town hall will include a streaming video that will provide an overview of the budget proposed by the city’s administration and those attending will have an opportunity to meet with department heads, ask questions, provide input and pick up a printed summary of each department’s proposed budget for next year.
This will be an opportunity to hear not only the numbers, but the reasoning behind what the city is proposing to allocate for personnel, services, projects, equipment infrastructure and more.
Collectively, it’s a big, big number — about $1.5 billion total — with the city’s General Fund for day-to-day operations at $270 million-plus, not counting proposed “program modifications” at $180,872,958 and $53,725,025, respectively.
As the city’s administration continues its review of departmental requests, Cape Coral City Council will hold a series of public workshops and meetings.
The sessions will begin on Aug. 4 with the first budget workshop and conclude on Sept. 24 when the tentative millage and budget will be set.
Here is the schedule as presented the Summer 2026 edition of “On The Move,” the city’s magazine:
• First budget workshop — 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4.
• Second budget workshop — 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11.
• Third budget workshop — 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18. (Only if council determines a third session is needed.)
• Meeting, 5:05 p.m. — Thursday, Sept. 10. Tentative millage and budget set. (First vote)
• Meeting, 5:05 p.m. — Thursday, Sept. 24. Tentative millage and budget set. (Final vote expected.)
All of the sessions will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall. They also will be live streamed on the city’s website, CapeCoral.gov.
“City Council will soon begin the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Workshops,” Mayor John Gunter said in his message in “On The Move.” “These meetings provide an opportunity to learn more about City priorities and share your input. Your participation helps ensure we make thoughtful and balanced decisions for Cape Coral’s future.”
We urge you to take part. It’s your money. And it’s your city.
Breeze editorial