Preliminary property tax valuations for both islands have increased over the earlier estimates.

The Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office released its 2024 preliminary tax roll values on July 1, which now indicate a 1% rise for the city of Sanibel, along with a 12.80% jump for Captiva — as part of unincorporated Lee County. The valuations for both islands’ fire district also increased this time.

County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell attributed the upward shift to recovered properties that continue to be brought back on the tax roll following Hurricane Ian, which hit in September of 2022.

“If it was damaged to the point it could not be used, it was taken off last year’s tax roll,” he said of a storm-damaged property, adding that it is put back on once it is repaired. “It’s a sign of just how significant the recovery is. Your eyes are not deceiving you. We are well into recovery at this point.”

According to the new valuations, the city’s taxable value climbed about $46.02 million from $4.61 billion — 1% — to $4.66 billion. Assessed value rose 1.07% to $4.99 billion, up $52.69 million from $4.93 billion. Just value dropped 8.95% to $5.96 billion, down $585.37 million from $6.54 billion.

Also for Sanibel, taxable new construction increased from approximately $1.73 million to $19.34 million. In addition, just new construction saw a climb from $1.73 million to $189.58 million.

County valuations, including Captiva, saw about a $15.43 billion jump in taxable value from $120.58 billion — 12.80% — to $136.01 billion. Assessed value increased 11.65% to $157.17 billion, up $16.40 billion from $140.76 billion. Just value rose 5.86% to $215.97 billion, up $11.96 billion from $204 billion.

Also in the county, taxable new construction increased from approximately $2.86 billion to $4.48 billion. Just new construction rose from $3.28 billion to $5.99 billion. As for the preliminary taxable school value for Lee, it climbed $12.76 billion to $160.48 billion, up 8.64% from $147.72 billion.

In addition, values for the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District and Captiva Island Fire Control District, plus the Upper Captiva Fire District, increased year-over-year, according to the new valuations.

The Sanibel fire district experienced a 1% rise to about $4.66 billion, up $45.99 million from $4.61 billion. The Captiva fire district saw a 10.53% increase to $1.52 billion, up $144.50 million from $1.37 billion. Upper Captiva fire rose 8.88% to $323.33 million, up $26.36 million from $296.97 million.

“The release of the tax roll values starts the process that allows jurisdictions and other taxing authorities to hold public hearings and set proposed ad valorem tax rates that will apply to property in Lee County,” the property appraiser’s office reported.

Individual Notices of Proposed Property Taxes, or TRIM notices, will go out in mid-August.

“If anyone has any questions about their property, feel free to contact us,” Caldwell said. “You don’t have to wait until (you get your) TRIM notices.”

The final figures will be sent to Tallahassee for approval.

For more information or questions, contact trim@leepa.org or 239-533-6100.

Meghan Bradbury contributed to this article.