Speak Out in Support of Proposed Charter Amendment
During the March 5 meeting of the GPICA, Mikes Maillakakis, General Manager of the Greater Pine Island Water Association provided an overview of a proposed amendment to the Lee County Charter that would involve local utilities in discussions about voluntary annexations. He requested that Pine Island residents speak out in support of this amendment. (Visit our website for March meeting minutes and meeting recording.)
Below, we’ve provided some talking points, a link to the proposed amendment and background about the Lee County Charter Review process.
- What: Speak in Support of Proposed Annexation Amendment during Charter Review Commission Meeting
- When: 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 26
- Where: North Fort Myers Parks and Recreation Center, 2000 North Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
- Etc.: Comments may also be submitted via email to Charter@leegov.com
Why Support This Amendment
Cape Coral is actively pursuing voluntary annexations very close to Pine Island. Some of these annexations — including the most recent annexation at the corner of Burnt Store Road/Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and Pine Island Road — impact areas that are serviced by existing fire and utility providers — in this case, the Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District and the Greater Pine Island Water Association.
When Cape Coral annexes properties, they assume responsibility for providing utility and fire services. This means the entities already providing these services to the annexed properties lose revenues as well as any capital costs already incurred for providing services to the annexed land.
Subsequently, property owners/rate payers that remain within the existing utility’s boundaries must pay more in taxes and/or fees to make up for lost revenues or previously expended funds associated with capital improvements already made.
The proposed charter amendment would force the annexing entity (for example, Cape Coral) to negotiate an interlocal agreement with those entities before any annexation could occur, allowing the existing providers to recoup costs or lost income.
- The GPICA supports this proposed amendment.
- Click here to review the amendment. Changes are in yellow highlight with red text.
About the Charter Review Process
Every eight years, Lee County undergoes a charter review process. A Charter Review Commission of 15 members is appointed by the Lee County Commission to review the county’s current charter and propose any amendments or revisions for placement on the general election ballot. All registered voters then may vote them down or up.
To be placed on the general election ballot, proposed Charter amendments or revisions must:
Receive an affirmative vote of three-fifths (3/5) of the membership of the entire Charter Review Commission and be submitted to the County Commission for its consideration for placement on the November 2024 ballot. The County Commission must agree to place the item on the ballot.
OR
Receive an affirmative vote of four-fifths (4/5) of the entire membership of the Charter Review Commission. These items are placed directly onto the November 2024.
Suggested Letter of Support/Talking Points
As a resident of Greater Pine Island, I respectfully request that the Lee County Charter Review Committee advance the voluntary annexation amendment to a vote of the electorate. As a Pine Island/Matlacha resident who is served by a local nonprofit, member-owned utility, I believe that:
- Existing utility franchises and fire service providers should have a seat at the table when annexation discussions and negotiations are taking place.
- I also believe that existing utilities should be made whole for any capital costs already incurred to provide services to properties seeking annexation.
- Furthermore, existing utility franchises should have the ability to negotiate for compensation for the loss of future revenues.
I believe this proposed amendment will protect local utility franchises — and their member owners like me — from financial losses and instability.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS