Captiva fire commission OKs new millage rate, budget
The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission adopted a final millage rate of 1.9450 mills and a budget of $4,365,963 for the upcoming fiscal year at its recent second and final budget hearing.
On Sept. 23, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 for the proposed operating rate — a 13.48 percent increase over the rolled-back rate of 1.7139 mills — plus the general fund for 2021-22.
A mill is $1 per every $1,000 of taxable valuation. The rolled-back rate is the rate it would take to generate the same amount of revenue in the coming fiscal year as was generated in the previous year.
The Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office certified that the gross taxable value for operating purposes not exempt from taxation within Lee County to the fire district as $1,5542,825,679.
The approved budget includes appropriations and revenue estimates.
“I’m obviously glad we passed the budget for the upcoming year,” Fire Chief Jeff Pawul said. “It’s a little bit of an increase, but I think that’s geared toward being able to provide better and increased services to the island.”
Pawul explained that the majority of the increase is for the unknown costs related to the landing zone project, which is aimed at identifying a new third site for the Lee County EMS helicopter to land.
“So we had to set aside a chunk of reserve money for that,” he said.
Pawul also pointed to increases in repairs and maintenance, plus the need for more supplies.
“The rest really pertains to inflation costs and our increased call volume,” he said.
Pawul added that additional increases within the budget were set aside for network and cyber security at the fire station, as well as security measures that need to be implemented at the station.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email