Bonita Springs might raise property taxes. The city blames Hurricane Irma.

The reality of Hurricane Irma’s devastation on Bonita Springs’ finances hit city council, spurring a renewed search for money and talk of raising taxes.

Cleanup costs and park repairs cost close to $8 million, draining all disaster reserve money. Almost a year after the hurricane, the city has nearly refilled the emergency fund at a great cost to its day-to-day budget. That fund cannot be tapped to cover operating expenses.

More: 3 Bonita budget priorities you need to know

Also: Bonita considers new citywide fee to fight flooding

That means the city has almost no cash on hand. Bonita's unassigned fund balance, which had nearly $5 million before Hurricane Irma hit Southwest Florida, likely will be empty when the new budget year begins — unless the City Council brings in more money.

The unassigned fund was a safety net, allowing the City Council to pay for important unplanned costs. The city used the fund to buy the Bonita Springs Everglades Wonder Gardens.

An empty reserve is a worry the city council cannot ignore, Councilor Peter O’Flinn said.

“I think it’s unconscionable not to have an appropriate reserve,” O’Flinn said.

City Council is looking for ways to recharge the fund and open a cash flow for emergencies, such as another hurricane.

“That’s how we got through Hurricane Irma, because of those funds,” said Anne Wright, the city finance director.

Bonita Springs residents enjoy some of the lowest property taxes in the region, second only to Estero.

Bonita Springs land owners pay $81.73 for every $100,000 of taxable property value, or a .8173 millage rate.

By comparison, Estero pays $77.98 for every $100,000 of taxable property value.

Estero councilors have not talked about tax increases, but the destructive — and costly — Hurricane Irma cleanup did not strike the village as hard. Estero staff expect to pay less than $2 million for storm recovery, which is covered through the village reserves.

Farther south, Hurricane Irma’s wrath cost Naples about the same in cleanup and repair as Bonita Springs.

Naples residents, who have city fire and police coverage unlike Bonita Springs, pay a property tax of $115 for every $100,000 of taxable property value.

But Naples staffers seem more comfortable about asking to raise the property tax rate, said Ann Marie Ricardi, the city's finance director.

“City staff discussed a millage increase from 1.15 to 1.18 to replenish our emergency reserves,” Ricardi said. “It is concerning to not have sufficient reserves for any coming storms.”

The storm drained disaster reserves in Naples just like in Bonita Springs. Repairs to Naples Pier, replacement trees and debris cleanup cost upward of $8 million. Naples had a larger unassigned fund balance because of its larger budget and tax base, and the city still has about $7 million left over.

The disaster reserves remain dry, and the city is ready to ask residents to help prepare for another emergency, Ricardi said.

“It is important for a government to have reserves to have a cash flow,” she said. “We want to be prepared for the next disaster.”

Last year, Bonita Springs staff stripped the city's budget to keep residents' taxes low. About $1.5 million was cut from operating expenses, so there is little money to save, the city argues, and more money needs to come in.

Bonita Springs said it has two major options to increase funds — raise the property tax or raise franchise fees.

Franchise fees are set on electric and telephone companies that operate in the city. Bonita Springs staff is writing an ordinance to raise these rates, which could bring in about $1.1 million a year. The money would start coming in next year.

Bonita Springs city councilors have danced around raising property taxes and are waiting until the Aug. 1 meeting for a definitive discussion. They will set a maximum property tax for the coming year and can chose a lower final number at a later meeting.

Some councilors discussed adding a new tax line on residents’ bills specifically for hurricane relief to show why the property tax was going up.

The city would gain about $1.8 million a year if the property tax rate is raised to $100 per $100,000 of taxable property value.

In June:Hurricane Irma: Bonita Springs recovery costs less than expected

Also:Lee, Collier public transit get federal dollars for Hurricane Irma expenses

Where Bonitian property taxes go

City taxes are some of the lower lines Bonita Springs residents see on their bills. The figures reflect amounts charged per $100,000 of taxable income.

>> Lee County: more than $474 (including the millages for the general fund, public library system, mosquito control, hyacinth control and the all hazards fund) 

>> The Lee County School District: more than $660

>> Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District: $233 

Surrounding cities, except Estero, have higher municipal taxes than Bonita Springs.

>> Fort Myers has a millage rate of 8.65 — more than 10 times higher than Bonita Springs. Unlike Bonita, Fort Myers provides fire and police services.