Cape Coral Council Approves Property‑Billed Assessments; Fire Fee Rises

Cape Coral, Florida, August 29, 2025

News Summary

Cape Coral city council approved a set of non‑ad valorem assessments to appear on property tax bills, including revised lot‑mowing district rates, a stormwater charge increase to $156, and a move to 81% fire protection cost recovery. The change raises the average single‑family home fire assessment by about $91, with Tier 1 set at $349.32 and Tier 2 charged per EBU at $3.47. Combined rolls are projected to generate roughly $37.7 million. Officials also addressed mandatory utility hookups under the Utilities Extension Project and available financial assistance options amid resident concerns.

Cape Coral Council approves FY2025–26 non‑ad valorem assessments; fire assessment rises to 81% as utilities hookup costs draw resident concern

What happened: The city council approved a slate of non‑ad valorem assessments for Fiscal Year 2025–26 that will appear on property tax bills. Key actions include final approval of the lot mowing program rates, an increase to the annual stormwater assessment, and raising the city’s fire protection assessment cost‑recovery from 70% to 81%. The combined approved assessment rolls are projected to bring in $37,703,217.10 in revenue.

Immediate impact — top lines

• Lot mowing: Assessment rates set by district for unimproved lots; District 1 (largest district) sees a rate cut while other districts generally increase.
• Stormwater: Annual assessment rises from $149 to $156 to support operations and maintenance improvements.
• Fire protection assessment: Cost recovery raised to 81%, increasing average single‑family home assessment by about $91 a year.
• Utilities Extension Project (UEP): Residents voiced concerns about mandatory hookups and high connection costs as council considers fast‑tracking parts of the project.

Lot mowing program details

The city’s lot‑mowing program covers mowing, invasive vegetation removal, pepper tree removal and burrowing owl nest trimming on unimproved parcels enrolled in the program. Vacant parcels are scheduled for 13 mows a year from February through December across four districts. Rates are set on an equivalent lot of 5,000 square feet; a standard parcel is two lots.

• District 1 (per 5,000 sq ft lot): $70.48 (annual) — a reduction of $15.94 from last year; standard parcel = $140.96 (reduction $31.88).
• District 2: $48.05 (annual) — increase of $3.28; standard parcel = $96.10 (increase $6.56).
• District 3: $51.44 (annual) — increase of $4.12; standard parcel = $102.88 (increase $8.24).
• District 4: $44.63 (annual) — increase of $1.42; standard parcel = $89.26 (increase $2.84).

Stormwater assessment

The annual stormwater assessment was approved at $156, up from $149. Officials stated the increase is intended to boost operations and maintenance capacity for stormwater lines and related services.

Fire protection assessment — what changes

The council approved raising the fire protection assessment to an 81% cost‑recovery level, up 11 percentage points from last year’s 70% level. The assessment funds readiness, personnel, stations, equipment and related maintenance. Money collected is deposited into the city’s General Fund to cover the remaining operating costs.

• Tier 1: Availability charge for all parcels (including vacant lots) to ensure 24‑hour readiness. New Tier 1 rate = $349.32 per parcel at 81% recovery.
• Tier 2: Applies to improved parcels and is based on structure value, expressed in Equivalent Benefit Units (EBUs). Tier 2 rate = $3.47 per EBU at 81% recovery.
• Average single‑family home: Estimated increase from $438.48 to $529.76 annually — roughly a $91 increase tied to the higher recovery rate.

Planned uses for fire assessment revenue

Approved and proposed projects and purchases to be supported by the assessment include rebuilding one fire station, adding staffing, equipment purchases and facility upgrades. Major items listed for funding:

• Fire Station 5 rebuild: $9.5 million
• Direct exhaust system: $1.375 million
• Additional staffing: funding for 19 positions
• Facilities maintenance and generator replacements: several hundred thousand dollars in upgrades
• Rescue truck: $390,000

Delinquent and corrected assessment rolls

Council approved rolls to collect delinquent and previously exempted assessments. Notable items include deferred assessments on seven properties (15 deferred accounts) totaling $354,203.34, 18 hardship accounts totaling $116,408.44, and a single delinquent construction‑loan account of $7,751.67. The council also corrected a coding error that improperly exempted 22 properties from an irrigation assessment.

Utilities Extension Project — resident concerns

Homeowners in parts of northeast neighborhoods discussed mandatory hookups to city water under the UEP. Notices can require connections within six months; meter inspection within 90 days can waive a $325 meter fee. Estimates cited by residents ranged from tens of thousands for mainline hookup charges to several thousand more to run service lines to a home. The council is considering accelerating portions of the UEP, moving some completion timelines earlier and expanding project boundaries to prioritize construction and local economic activity. Financial assistance options mentioned include Community Development Block Grants and small grants to help with connection costs.

Context and next steps

The assessments approved on Wednesday are final for FY2025–26 and will be reflected on property tax bills. The council vote on the fire assessment was 7–1. Officials said shifting a greater share of fire costs onto the assessment reduces pressure to raise the city’s millage rate. The UEP timeline decision was scheduled for council consideration the same evening.

Weather and marine advisory

Local forecasts for the day included partly cloudy skies with afternoon thunderstorms, a daytime high near 91°F and a 40% chance of rain. A short marine statement noted a nearby strong thunderstorm producing gusts near 30 knots and advised mariners to seek safe harbor until the storm passes; waterspout potential was mentioned for coastal waters.

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FAQ

Key features at a glance

Feature	Detail
Total projected revenue	$37,703,217.10
Fire assessment recovery	81% (up from 70%)
Average single‑family home impact	Increase of about $91/year (to $529.76)
Stormwater rate	$156 annually (up from $149)
Lot mowing schedule	13 mows per year (Feb–Dec) for enrolled vacant lots
District 1 lot rate	$70.48 per 5,000 sq ft lot (standard parcel $140.96)
UEP homeowner cost concerns	Estimates cited range from several thousand for service lines to tens of thousands for hookup fees; assistance available in some cases
Delinquent/deferred totals noted	Deferred accounts totaling $354,203.34; hardship accounts $116,408.44

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• Cape Coral Breeze: City council sets fees for lot mowing and more
• Wikipedia: Property tax (context on assessments and local levies)
• Cape Coral Breeze: Cape Coral raises assessment for fire services
• Google Search: Cape Coral fire protection assessment 81%
• FOX 4 Now: Northeast Cape Coral homeowners worry over high water hookup fees
• Google Scholar: Cape Coral utility hookup costs
• WINK News: Cape Coral’s water project raises cost concerns
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Water infrastructure (context on project costs and impacts)
• FOX 4 Now: Cape Coral speeds up water project by five years
• Google News: Cape Coral Utilities Extension Project