City council hears draft CIP, budget for next year
The Sanibel City Council was presented with the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and budget for the next fiscal year at its recent meeting, as well as tabled a proposed e-bike registration program.
On June 2, Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Steve Chaipel gave a presentation and overview of the draft capital budget and CIP for fiscal year 2026-27, which will begin on Oct. 1.
He reported that the Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office will release its 2026 preliminary taxable values on July 1. The city’s estimated property valuations released on May 29 was $5,536,341,000.
Chaipel noted that the estimate is a 1.75% decrease from the July 2025 values used for the current fiscal year’s budget. At the same operating millage rate adopted for 2025-26, it represents a decrease in revenue to the general fund of $238,805 — inclusive of a 3% early payment discount for taxpayers.
He outlined the CIP budget for 2026-27 as $71,893,077 for total city, $42,744,298 for governmental funds and $29,148,779 for enterprise funds, which includes funding requests and carry forwards.
Some of the highlights outlined by Chaipel included:
– The CIP remains largely driven by grants from local, state and federal sources.
– The Stormwater Assessment study is in progress.
– The Hurricane Fund Projects are projected at lower funding levels compared to prior years due to the uncertainty surrounding FEMA’s reimbursement amounts and project obligations.
– A conservative budgeting approach is being used for storm-related projects as FEMA continues to reevaluate and, in many cases, reduce previously estimated public assistance damage reimbursements.
– Expect a higher amount of CIP projects funded in the current fiscal year to be carried forward — rolled forward — into 2026-27 as some of the projects have long construction timelines.
– The Recreation Sinking Fund was incorporated into the Governmental Funds as expenditures are expected to exceed the available fund balances and annual general fund transfer to the sinking fund of $225,000.
– The recreation center is now about 20 years old and will require increased reinvestment and capital maintenance over the coming years to preserve the facility’s quality and operations.
– Projects recommended by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) were incorporated into the five-year CIP for future consideration, starting in 2028-29. None are in the proposed budget due to existing funding constraints and revenue uncertainty. Revisiting potential funding opportunities for the projects is recommended following receipt of the preliminary taxable values.
– Projects not in the budget but recommended for future council discussion and prioritization include: Periwinkle Way Landscaping, City Hall Native Garden Rehabilitation, and Town Center Planning.
He noted the following big items in the draft CIP:
– Recreation center pool deck: $350,000
– Recreation center structural assessments: $85,000 for 2026-27 ($85,000 for 2027-28)
– City Hall: $300,000 for general repairs, $500,000 for generator and $250,000 for HVAC
– Historical Village: $50,000
– Shared Use Path (SUP): $1.25 million appropriation in state budget if signed by governor
– Stormwater improvements: $500,000
– Weir flap gate improvements: $600,000 appropriation in state budget if signed
– Tahiti-Jamaica/Tradewinds stormwater project: Delayed to 2028-29 with estimated $4.2 million cost
– Sewer utility system, non-grant funded projects: $2.6 million for force main improvements and $3.4 million for lift station control panel replacements ($5.2 million included that is grant funded)
– Beach Parking Enterprise Fund: Police Department, $380,000 for patrol boat; Public Works, $2.3 million in Lee County Tourist Development Council funding (which includes $2.1 million for the pier replacement); and Lighthouse Beach Park maintenance building, $450,000 (with about $100,000 in insurance funding received)
To view Chaipel’s presentation, click on DRAFT CIP PRESENTATION.
To view the draft CIP, visit https://stories.opengov.com/sanibelfl/published/rXaKD0jvg.
E-BIKE REGISTRATION
Recreation Department Director Andrea Miller gave a presentation on the potential e-bike registration program for the SUP with changes, with additional information supplied by Police Chief Bill Dalton.
She outlined the updated proposal, which included the following revisions:
– Registration program would only apply to Classes 2-3
– Program would be open to residents and on-island employees; not to Sanibel businesses — rentals and resorts — and non-residents
– No cost for residents and on-island employees to register
Application and eligibility was updated as:
– All users: Signed acknowledgment of the SUP Code of Conduct
– Residents: Proof of residency or property ownership or a valid Sanibel address
– On-island employee: Proof of on-island employment, like a current paystub (employers registering e-bikes for employees must also to agree to revoke permits and remove decals within 10 days of employment termination, ensuring ongoing compliance)
Miller also presented potential advantages and challenges of the program.
In addition, Dalton reported on the following frontline enforcement concerns, which was compiled from information provided by police officers and Sanibel Rangers:
– It is difficult to distinguish between e-bike classes unless someone is clearly throttling a bike and not pedaling.
– A registration program will lead to even more frustration for visitors who would feel singled-out even as they are attempting to vacation and contribute to the local economy.
– Most of these people expect Sanibel to be like other destinations and allow e-bikes.
– The majority of users are adult residents and visitors.
– Enforcement is disappointing, angering and frightening visitors when being issued a formal warning.
– Most accidents result from stationary falls.
After some discussion and feedback, a motion to approve the program died without a second.
Instead, the council directed staff to look at ways to increase education and safety on the SUP.
IN OTHER NEWS
– The council voted unanimously 4-0 on an ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances to allow a limited exception to height limitations for the elevation of existing (nonconforming) structures.
– The council voted 4-0 to award the professional services for the Fishing Pier Replacement Project to Stantec Consulting Services in the amount of $278,344.
– The council voted 4-0 on a contract with Juniper Landscaping in the amount of about $324,112 for the Causeway Boulevard Planting Project, in coordination with the Roots in Resilience partnership.
– The council voted 4-0 on a resolution to appropriate $225,715 for dredging in the Dinkins Bayou area as a result of additional filling in of material from recent storms. It transfers the funds into the Wulfert Channel Dredging Special Assessment District. However, the project is funded solely from the city and does not include property owners in the special assessment district.
– The council voted 4-0 on an agreement with Bayside Dredging to complete the 2026 SE Dinkins Bayou Dredging Project in the amount of $225,715.
– The council voted 4-0 on an amendment with the Lee County Commission related to the Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery program (CDBG-DR) for the reconstruction of the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s Station 171. Due to inflationary cost pressures and other circumstances, the fire district requested additional funding for the project. The county board awarded about an additional $1,641,545, increasing the overall project budget to about $10,783,933.
– The council voted 4-0 on a joint resolution with the county commission pertaining to the city’s participation in the Community Development Block Grant’s (CDBG) HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs for federal fiscal years 2026-28.
– The council voted 4-0 on a scope of work proposal from Humiston & Moore Engineers for the 2026 Island-Wide Beach Monitoring Survey and Assessment project and required post-construction reporting for completed beach renourishments at the Lighthouse Beach Park, North Sanibel and Clam Bayou in the amount of $160,891.
– The council voted 4-0 on a contract with Energy Resources in the amount of $970,000 for the Sanibel Slough Hydraulic Dredging Project.
– The council voted 4-0 on a professional services proposal from APEX Engineering for construction oversight services for the Sanibel Slough Stormwater Capacity and Water Quality Improvement Project in the amount of $65,550.
– The council voted 4-0 on a contract with Seahawk Florida Investments — doing businesses as Tree West — in the amount of $86,500 for the 2026 Sanibel River Clearing Project (drainage/wildlife habitat maintenance trimming).
– The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code to establish regulations relating to pool discharge, dewatering construction sites and illicit discharge into the stormwater and sanitary sewer systems Prior to the reading, it discussed the draft legislation. The second reading will be held on June 16.
– Miller gave a presentation on the launch of the Process Automation Digital Services (PADS) for online special event permits, annual sidewalk sale permits, city facility rentals and recreation center room rentals on the CivicPlus portal at https://sanibelfl-sanibel-fl.app.transform.civicplus.com/.
– Chief Resilience Officer Ashlee Painter presented the proposed vision statement for the Strategic Energy Plan, based on feedback from a public workshop and survey. The council voted 4-0 to approve the following amended statement: “Sanibel strives for reliable, resilient, affordable, redundant and sustainable energy systems within the community, while preserving the community’s natural areas and wildlife as a sanctuary island.”
– The council presented the city’s Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship Award to the following recipients: Mackenzie Jackson, daughter of Public Information Officer and Grant Manager Eric Jackson; and Hunter Krawczuk, son of Public Works Department Deputy Director Scott Krawczuk.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email