FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pete Winton, Lee County Administration,
              (239) 335-2777

COMMISSION APPROVES AFFORDABLE HOUSING FEE
REIMBURSEMENTS/MITIGATION BANK EXTENSION

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 22, 2003) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting. They are:

Impact Fee Reimbursements - Adopted an administrative code that sets forth the procedures for reimbursement of Lee County School Impact Fees to providers of low and very-low income housing. In December 2001, the County Commission approved a one-time funding of $200,000 to reimburse affordable housing provides for their payment of school impact fees. The idea is to create an incentive for the construction of this much-needed housing type. The funds were divided with $50,000 for reimbursement in the enterprise zones and the balance of $150,000 for the rest of the county. The reimbursement is for 50 percent of school impact fees. The initial funding from general fund reserves will be reimbursed with interest earned on the impact fees. Charitable, not-for-profit entities and, in some cases, for-profit entities meeting certain criteria will be available for the reimbursements. The annual reimbursement limit is $50,000 for a not-for-profit applicant and $25,000for a for-profit applicant. For more information, contact Paul O'Connor at 479-8309.

Mitigation Bank - Approved a three-year extension of the agreement with Mariner Properties to participate in the Little Pine Island Mitigation Bank. In 1997, Lee County purchased $1 million of mitigation credits from the bank at a 30 percent discount and has used the credits for such road projects as the Midpoint Memorial Bridge; Gladiolus, Bonita Beach and Corkscrew road widenings; and Del Prado Extension. Upcoming projects could include Alico Road widening and Three Oaks Parkway extension. Using a mitigation bank permit from the DEP and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the bank can sell offsite mitigation credits to public and private entities needing to compensate for wetlands impacted by their projects.

Sidewalks - Received $33,208 in funds from the City of Bonita Springs to construct six-foot sidewalks on both sides of Bernwood Parkway, formerly Signal Road.

Streetscape - Approved $86,588 as county's share of a streetscape along Hendry Street in downtown Fort Myers where the Development Services Inspectors/Licensing Building is being built. The county will share the building with the City of Fort Myers.

Contracts Entered Into - Construction Manager agreement with Kraft Construction for renovation and expansion of Medical Examiner's building; $252,190 to Target Builders for grand jury room remodel; $278,522 to Westco Builders for addition and renovation of Karl Drews House; $150,000 to Casey Construction for remodel and restoration of Dishong House recently located to Boca Grande Community Center.