Mayor discusses water quality, city’s financial state
On Jan. 19, Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane spoke to about 50 members of the Sanibel/Captiva Republican Caucus on two of the top issues currently facing the city: local water quality and financial matters.
Because Sanibel has a major financial stake in tourism, the matters are tied closely together. It is important to the local environment that the water needs not only to be clean, but also at a level that is neither too low or high. Much has been done to improve the situation, including programs to clean and reuse water, provide public education and maintain adequate water storage levels, including steps to reinforce the Herbert Hoover Dike to increase storage capability.
The cost to resolve the water issues is estimated to be $16 billion to $20 billion, which will be spent over a number of years, requiring federal as well as state support. Ruane’s recent unanimous election as president of the Florida League of Mayors is a major step in giving Sanibel an important voice in pulling together the resources that will be needed.
Ruane was proud of progress in reducing city taxes – a level that has decreased by about 24 percent since his election to the city council – while achieving a virtual elimination of current city debt, although some $10 million new debt will be taken on to upgrade the city’s Donax Wastewater Plant. The achievement of lower taxes, while eliminating most of the city’s debt, is the result of careful management, adopting new pension plans for new employees and consolidating city departments to streamline services and reduce costs.
In response to a question about Sanibel’s share of causeway bridge revenues, Ruane explained that according to the contract signed before the bridge was built, the city’s share was set at 21 percent.