Captiva fire commissioners OK tentative millage rate
The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission approved the not-to-exceed millage rate and first budget hearing for fiscal year 2024-25 during its recent meeting, along with several other resolutions.
On July 9, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution to adopt a proposed operating millage rate of 2.6052 mills, which is 10.13% greater than the rolled-back rate of 2.3656.
The millage rate can be lowered during the upcoming budget process but not raised.
The gross taxable value for the district from the Lee County Property Appraiser is $1,517,100,899.
The first budget hearing will be held on Sept. 12 at 5:01 p.m.
On a related note, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul provided an update on the island’s property valuations. The preliminary estimates saw about an 11% increase over last year, compared to the 2% initially estimated. In addition, he requested a report from the property appraiser on “uninhabitable” parcels.
As of Jan. 1, Captiva had 723 uninhabitable properties that could not be included in the tax roll. In comparison, it has just under 1,200 total parcels. The island’s valuation in 2022 pre-Hurricane Ian was $1.735 billion, so the current valuation would be $2.448 billion if the uninhabitable properties were included, according to his calculation. Pawul was waiting on confirmation from the property appraiser.
Also at the meeting, the commission voted 3-0 in separate motions to approve: the purchase of a Sked rescue deployment system from Skedo for a not-to-exceed cost of $1,700; the purchase of a positive pressure fan from BlowHard for a not-to-exceed cost of $3,9000, plus shipping; and the purchase of a thermal imagining camera from Seek Thermal for a not-to-exceed cost of $4,035.
Prior to the votes, Pawul explained that the Sked is a new rescue basket for the fire boat.
He added that all three would be purchased using a grant that the district received. Staff had already planned to replace the basket and fan, so the funding covered both, along with the replacement camera.
“It’s a donation from a resident,” Pawul said of the monies, explaining that once it goes through the financial institution, plus the foundation owned by the resident, it basically becomes a grant.
He added that the district received $150,000 total for medical and fire rescue equipment.
“That was a very generous donation,” Pawul said.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners voted 3-0 in separate motions to approve: the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement; the renewal of the district’s Cancer Policy with United Badges Insurance Services; and the disposal of assets, including a 2014 Ford Explorer and an Apple Mac and Apple MacBook.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Pawul reported that consultant Hans Wilson & Associates finished the seagrass and depth study at McCarthy’s Marina to determine if a lift could be installed to get the rescue boat out of the water.
“It’s pretty much as expected,” he said, adding that seagrass is present and it is too shallow.
Pawul continued that Wilson’s initial suggestion was to possibly speak to one of the marinas and work out an agreement, which he has already done. They had a meeting planned to discuss other options.
– The district responded to 56 incidents in June, compared to 29 last year and 72 in 2022.
“So we have started to pick back up to somewhat normal numbers before the storm,” he said.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email