City Approves Operating Budget

The Marco Island City Council Meeting of September 6 would move forward as most had expected on that evening. It would begin with the passage of the initial approval of the 2022-2023 Operating Budget which would be fueled in part by the continued rise in taxable assessed valuation of property here on Marco Island. 

It would allow councilors to pass another budget at the “roll-back rate” which would be based upon the Total Tax Assessed Value of $13,841,831,718 dollars, which would that evening bring forth a milage rate of 1.4837 per thousand that would raise $19,818,327 along with other revenue sources which would total $29,865,886 to run the operations of the city. 

The City’s Utility Department (Water and Sewer Department) is exempt from the use of ad valorem taxes and is run entirely from the use of fees for services.

Only Councilor Blonna would implore his fellow councilors to utilize the windfall from the rise in the taxable value of property to meet the rising needs they are becoming aware of in regard to funds necessary to clean up waters surrounding the island and other capital projects. Blonna, in making his appeal to council, pointed out they should go to a “milage-neutral rate” and they could apply those dollars (estimated at $3,000,000) to meet those needs. He would lose that appeal on a 6-1 vote. 

Council would then move forward to present a Proclamation thanking the 25th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the City of Marco Island. In doing so Council Chairman brought the large committee forward to accept a well-earned congratulatory thank you from the City Council for their hard work regarding the weeklong event. A special thank you was extended to the Assistant City Manager, Casey Lucius, for her work bringing the entire event together.

Another special presentation that evening went to the volunteer head of the Bike Path Committee, Alan Musico, who has served in that position since 2006. Council Chair Erik Brechnitz would commend his dedication to the goal of making a bicycle friendly community for residents as well as visitors alike. He would also commend the entire committee for its dedication.

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