To the editor:

In the “City’s monthly E-newsletter” for March remarks by the Cape Coral mayor, the following is quoted:

“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who selflessly contribute their time and efforts towards enhancing our community.”

The mayor and Council abolished six volunteer boards last year. (Budget Review Committee, Golf Course Advisory Board, Waterway Advisory Board, Parks and Rec Advisory Board, Cape Competes Advisory Board and the Community Redevelopment Agency) It does not look like the council appreciates volunteers by this action.

Another quote from the mayor in the March message was:

“I wish to emphasize the city’s unwavering commitment to prudent financial management and transparent governance.”

The mayor and Council raised property taxes and assessments by over $28 million or 19% last year. The cost of the new parks is $40 million over budget. (Projected cost is $88.5M versus a budget of $49 million (This is less the Yacht Club budget enhancements of $11M that were never done). The Yacht Club replacement is expected to cost over $100 million. The mayor and council traditionally simply raise taxes to pay for these budget overruns. Is this a sign of prudent financial management? Shouldn’t prudent financial management be lowering taxes and cut costs when budgets are exceeded?

The mayor and council routinely pass high-cost and controversial items by use of the consent agenda (no discussion). The most egregious being the doubling of their salary by the stipend. Does this look like transparent governance?

The budget cycle will begin soon for 2025. The general budget fund forecast for 2025 is $230,979,607. The city administration is asking for a 102 increase to city staff. I recommend the mayor and council freeze headcount for next year to pay for the priority of new parks and the yacht club replacement; make do with the current 1,918 city staff. They should also insist that the city manager propose a budget for the General Fund of no more than $230,979,607 as presented at the January workshop. This should allow the council to use the rolled back millage rate and no increase to assessments and water rates. With the tax increases last year, there should be plenty of surplus funds to start paying down the increased cost of the parks.

The mayor and current council has proven by their actions that they do not care about volunteers, they are not financially prudent, and they are not transparent. We elect five new council members this year, let’s make sure we elect people that act on these principles versus just lip service.

Thomas Shadrach

Past Chair of the Budget Review Committee