City council OKs final budget and millage rate
After being presented with the city’s proposed updated budget, the Sanibel City Council approved the final millage rate and budget for fiscal year 2025-26 at its second and final budget hearing.
On Sept. 25, the council voted unanimously 5-0 to adopt an operating millage rate of 2.5000 mills, which exceeds the rolled-back rate of 2.0930 mills by 19.45%. It included a millage levy for the sewer voted debt service of 0.0169 mills and a millage levy for the recreation center voted debt service of 0.1011 mills.
The council also voted 5-0 to approve a final budget of $216,061,856 for the fiscal year.
Additionally, it voted 5-0 to establish the following committed amounts from the General Fund’s fund balance: $5.9 million for emergency reserve, $600,000 for operational support reserve and $737,500 for debt service reserve.
The Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office has certified the gross taxable value for operating and budgeting purposes not exempt from taxation within the city to the city as $5,634,817,483.
Prior to the council’s discussion and vote, Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Steve Chaipel provided the following budget updates based on council’s direction at the first hearing:
– In the General Fund, the city manager’s budget was increased by $75,000 to provide an appropriation for federal lobbying efforts. The appropriation decreased the ending available fund balance in the General Fund. Also as a result of the appropriation, the required cash flow reserve in the General Fund increased from $4,481,237 to $4,493,988.
– The city received a loan from the state in 2023 for $15.2 million; $5.9 million in appropriations via transfers have been made from the original amount. A reserve account has been created in the General Fund to accumulate funds to retire the $5.9 million used so far by the 2033 due date of the entire loan. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, a consistent annual allocation of $737,500 will be made into the reserve.
– The ending fund balance in the General Fund decreased $825,251 based on the changes. The adjustments did not change the total amount of the General Fund or the total city budget.
To view the final approved budget, visit https://stories.opengov.com/sanibelfl/900a6b97-2b72-49b5-a665-628e7cf083b4/published/aPpTTgi9e?currentPageId=TOC.
REGULAR MEETING
The council held its regular meeting after the budget hearing and the following took place:
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution approving the fiscal year 2025-26 compensation and classification plan, amending existing job classes and reclassifications as necessary, amending the salary bands for certain bargaining unit positions and authorizing the city manager to amend job descriptions as necessary to keep such descriptions current.
– The council voted 5-0 on a resolution granting administrative authority to the city manager or city manager designee to receive, review, process and approve a plat or replat, pursuant to amended state statutes.
– Sanibel Police Department Police Chief William “Bill” Dalton presented the Annual School Zone Speed Detection Report, including the statistics and results, in compliance with state statute.
– The council recognized BIG ARTS for its support of the city through a proclamation.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email