Bonita Springs residents could see slight tax raise because of rising values

Bonita Springs’ property tax rate will be unchanged into the new fiscal year after a final city council vote.

Bonita Springs land owners pay $81.73 for every $100,000 of taxable property value, or a .8173 millage rate, for the sixth year in a row. Only Estero has lower property taxes in Lee County.

However, most homeowners will see an increase on their tax bill of about $2 per $100,000 of property value. Rising property values cause the increase even if the tax rate remains the same.

The preliminary vote to keep the tax rate the same split council’s vote 4-3. The city’s general fund reserve is nearly empty because of Hurricane Irma expenses and will not refill quickly until the Federal Emergency Management Agency refunds about $6 million in the future.

No date for the delivery has been provided, and the city has no plans for the money until 2021.

Councilors in favor of an increase wanted to refill the city’s almost empty general fund reserves by $1 million or more by next year.

Opposing councilors voted to ensure taxes stayed the same while relying on the small remaining reserves and a line of credit for funding emergencies.

Council also denied raising the fees paid by communication companies and Florida Power and Light, which would have raised more than $1 million together.

“To me, (raising fees) is like tapping your parents on your shoulders and asking for money,” Councilor Mike Gibson said. “If we really need money, we can go out and borrow.”

Councilor Fred Forbes, who ultimately voted against any tax raises, said funding changes throughout next year might force council to make an increase.

“If (a tax increase) doesn’t work this year, I think we’ll have to do something next year,” Forbes said. “I don’t want to do something, but we’ll be trapped into it.”

Fertilizer ordinance discussed

Strict enforcement of the fertilizer ordinance is becoming a council focus. The ordinance restricts use of fertilizer with high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous for everyday use.

The ordinance is effective as written, and the focus should be on education and enforcement, said City Attorney Audrey Vance.

“It’s a very good ordinance,” Vance said. “Enforcement is the way to go, and just letting people know there is an ordinance.”

Mayor Peter Simmons said he’s seen people likely breaking the ordinance.

“What good is our fertilizer ordinance if we’re not going to enforce it?” Simmons said. “Not worth the paper it’s written on.”

The rule does allow normal fertilizer be used for newly planted landscaping.

Professional landscaping companies need an employee who is certified and educated in the local laws, but smaller mom-and-pop services or individual homeowners might not know to use low-nitrogen fertilizer.

No decision was made on how to handle the problem, but city staffers said they are researching better enforcement and education methods.

New law services for the city

Gray Robinson Law Firm will be taking over attorney services for Bonita Springs as City Attorney Audrey Vance retires on Sept. 31.