Fort Myers staff outlines $193.6 million general-fund budget and proposes 6.9 millage rate

City staff presented an overview of the proposed fiscal 2027 budget and recommended a working millage rate of 6.9 mills, noting the rate would require the limited use of general‑fund reserves.

“The budget for general fund is a total of $193,600,000,” said Chris Taney, the staff presenter, summarizing the proposed spending plan. Taney said the 6.9‑mill scenario would require the city to draw “just under $5,000,000” from reserves while preserving conservative revenue assumptions given mixed regional indicators.

The presentation emphasized conservative revenue assumptions after citing recent economic data: tourist tax receipts and home‑sale activity have risen while taxable sales, airport activity and single‑family permits declined. City staff also noted that the city can adopt any rate up to the TRIM‑notice cap of 7.3112 mills but recommended 6.9 while the council continues deliberations.

Public comment at the start of the meeting framed the debate: Kevin Besser of the Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association urged caution on tax increases, saying, “A tax increase would be detrimental to especially to our seniors, people who are on fixed incomes.”

The council set two upcoming procedural dates: a first public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9, and a final budget and millage adoption is expected at the regular council meeting on Monday, Sept. 21.