BOARD ADOPTED PROPOSED FY 03-04 MILLAGE RATES/ schedules public hearing for toll structure revisions

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 8, 2003) – The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved:

FY 03-04 Millage Rates – Approved resolution adopting proposed 03-04 ad-valorem millage rates and rolled back rates. State law requires the Board to advise the Property Appraiser of the milleage rates, rolled back rates, and the date, time and place of the first public hearing on the budget. The recommended FY 03-04 millage rates are as follows:

General Fund: remain at 4.3277
Capital Improvement Fund: remain at .5124
Conservation 20/20: remain at .5000
Library Fund: remain at .9630
Unincorporated MSTU Fund: remain at 1.2114
All Hazards Protection Fund: remain at .0733

The public will be allowed to voice their concerns about the proposed millage rates and the proposed FY 03-04 Budget. Public hearings will be conducted on September 4, 2003 at 5pm and September 18, 2003 at 5pm in the Lee County Commission Chambers located in the Old Lee County Court House in Fort Myers.

Caloosahatchee Regional Park Improvements – Authorized Consent to Easement Agreement with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The Easement Agreement will allow the County to construct a fishing pier, canoe/kayak launch, and boardwalk within the Federal right-of-way of the Okeechobee Waterway. This action allows plans to continue in the construction project at the Caloosahatchee Regional Park. The park is located at 18500 North River Road in Alva.

Conservation 20/20– Approved recommendation of the Conservation Lands Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee to buy 120 acres located on Nalle Road in North Fort Myers. Board approval is required for committee recommendations for Conservation 20/20 Program acquisitions. The County Lands Division is now allowed to begin the negotiation process to buy the land on Nalle Road.

Marine Law Enforcement –Approved budget resolution for the West Coast Island Navigation District in the amount of $80,000, and increased the W-marine law enforcement FY03 project amended the FY02/03 CIP accordingly. Increased existing WCIND marine law enforcement sub grant agreements with Lee County Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $40,000 and the Cape Coral Police Department in the amount of $40,000. These funds will be allocated to the Cape Coral Police Department and the Sheriff for Marine Law Enforcement.

Island School – Approved amended lease agreement between the Island School and Lee County, which provides for the continued use of the Boca Grande Community Center. The lease allows the School to use a portion of the Community Center until the permanent school has been constructed. The amended lease agreement is for a two

(2) year period with an additional one (1) year extension if necessary and subject to the terms in the agreement. The Island School is a not-for-profit corporation. The primary use will be for two (2) rooms of the Community Center, and they will be responsible for their percentage of the utility costs plus an annual lease fee of $1.OO.

Toll Structure Public Hearing - Scheduled Public Hearing for August 12, 2003 to discuss the proposed revised Toll Structure. The Lee County Toll Rates are among the most complex in the United States. Simplifying them could lead to greater ease of using the toll facility for customers, and result in more efficient operation of the Lee Way System. The county has the option of adopting a simplified toll schedule. This will result in a more understandable toll program in the County. Further the simplified program will allow savings in costs associated with the Lee Way Renewal process. These costs are conservatively estimated at $125,000 per year.