CEPD sets max millage rate, OKs promotion
The Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s commission approved the not-to-exceed millage rate and budget hearings for fiscal year 2022-23, plus discussed and appointed a new executive director.
During a special meeting on July 25, the commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a proposed operating millage rate of 0.3919, which is the rollback rate and a 10.83 percent decrease from the current 0.4395 rate. The rollback rate is estimated to bring in $676,972 in revenue, with a net income of $267,472.
Treasurer Dick Pyle was absent from the meeting.
The millage rate can be lowered during the upcoming budget process but not raised.
Prior to the vote, new Executive Director Daniel Munt explained that the commission provided direction to staff at a July 7 workshop to use the rollback, after hearing a budget presentation. At the workshop, Munt reported that Pyle recommended 0.3919 and the CEPD’s accountant concurred.
The first budget hearing is set for Aug. 29 at 5:01 p.m., with the second and final one on Sept. 12.
Also at the special meeting, the commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a resolution to contribute $2 million from the CEPD’s reserves to help fund the recent beach renourishment project. At that earlier workshop, the commission had expressed support for the contribution, which Pyle had suggested.
Also during the special meeting, the commissioners voted 3-1 to appoint Munt as the executive director, with the condition that he will continue to fulfill the duties of the director of operations. The commission also voted 3-1 to approve Munt’s new employment contract and terms as proposed.
For each vote, Chair John Silvia, Vice Chair and Secretary Rene Miville, and Commissioner Bob Walter voted to approve the motion, while Commissioner Linda Laird was the sole dissenter.
Prior to voting, the commission discussed the promotion and contract.
“Daniel is doing superb in his current job,” Laird said, adding that she is open to Munt serving in the administrator role in the future, but thinks that the move is premature at this point. “If this doesn’t work out then in six months we’re going to have a very messy situation that we’re going to have to handle.”
“I don’t want to do something that we have to undo and it’s ugly,” she continued, suggesting that the commissioners review his performance in six months. “I just don’t want to make a mistake here.”
Laird also raised concern about not seeing Munt’s ability to handle lobbyists and secure grant funding, pointing out recent funds she herself obtained for the CEPD, but added that she thinks he can do it.
“We want that in one of our staff members,” she said. “It’s not just chit-chatting, it’s figuring out a strategy. I believe the person who would be the executive director would be the one instigating this.”
Miville reported that he would agree, but that Munt has been acting as the executive director.
“Dan’s been running this,” he said. “It is a title and nothing more.”
Miville asked Munt if he would be able to bring in grant funding.
“If there’s grants out there to be had, I’ll guide the CEPD through that,” Munt said.
Walter shared that he has been impressed with Munt since recently rejoining the commission.
“Daniel has his finger on the pulse of the office and what is going on,” he said. “I concur with Commissioner Miville, there’s not much of a learning curve here.”
As far as his contract and terms if promoted, Munt proposed a salary raise from $96,901 to $130,000 annually, plus an increase in his benefit stipend from $15,000 to $25,000. Also included was 20 days of paid time off, a $900 stipend for his work phone, and 60 days’ notice for a termination without cause.
Walter questioned the benefit stipend and whether Munt is receiving health benefits through the military for his service, asking that if Munt does then why is the CEPD paying for a stipend.
The stipend is for him to procure his own insurance or benefits, which are not provided.
“It’s been a stipend through each of my two contracts,” Munt said of his time at the CEPD, explaining that he is able to reallocate the monies as needed and that is part of what makes the job attractive.
During his discussion with the commissioners, Munt reported that combining his current director position and the executive director position would save about $80,000, even with the raise. He added that he envisions the office staff to consist of himself and one full-time executive assistant, along with the existing part-time social media coordinator and two lot attendants at the Alison Hagerup park.
Laird explained that she liked the idea of having two full-time office positions, with one person overseeing administration and the other operations, but described the 30 percent raise as excessive.
“Again, I think this is premature — so I intend to not support it,” she said. “Which I don’t like doing, but that’s what I’m going to do.”
Munt was hired as technical director on Nov. 30, 2020. Originally from Orlando and living in South Fort Myers, he joined the U.S. Army in 2006 and served for nine years. Munt has a bachelor’s degree in computer networking and business, along with a master’s degree in business administration. Previously, he worked as a planner at the Lee County Department of Community Development. He also worked as a permit representative for the DCD, and he was employed with the Lee County Property Appraiser.
CEPD WORKSHOP
Last week, the CEPD also took part in a workshop focused on the apportionment for the completed beach renourishment project. Munt provided an overview of the tentative final apportionment.
In his presentation, he reported that the total cost of the project was about $20,141,727. He reviewed the state and county funding contributions, along with the CEPD-approved $2 million in reserves. Munt explained that the remaining balance to be assessed on property owners is approximately $7,283,371.
Owners will be assessed for storm protection benefits, recreation benefits or both.
Munt reported that properties considered front line to the Gulf of Mexico are considered storm benefit recipients. The coastline is broken down into five zones. Using a $2 million just value as an example, owners will be assessed about: $13,069 for upper South Seas; $2,891 for lower South Seas; $9,400 for the Village; $3,415 for ‘Tween Waters; $3,068 for upper Gold Coast; and $4,475 for lower Gold Coast.
The recreation benefit is assessed on all properties as either residential, homesteaded residential or commercial; homesteaded will receive a 42.1 percent discount. Using the $2 million example, owners will be assessed about $5,699 for residential, $2,966 for homesteaded and $17,371 for commercial.
Property owners can check their property and tentative assessments using an interactive, online modeling map at https://www.mycepd.com/2021-beach-nourishment-apportionment-model.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email