FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

COMMISSION PURSUES DISCOUNT TOLLS FOR HEAVY TRUCKS/APPROVES BOND REFINANCING

FORT MYERS, Fla. (October 21, 2003) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its regular weekly meeting. They are:

Discount Tolls - Scheduled a Nov. 25 public hearing to make changes that will allow heavy (commercial) trucks to participate in the half-price (discount) tolls program. In August 1998, Lee County implemented variable toll pricing on the Midpoint Memorial and Cape Coral bridges. The program - called LeeWay - provides motorists with transponders with a 50 percent discount off the $1 toll during selected "off peak" hours as an incentive to change driving habits from peak to off peak times. The program currently is available only to commuter (two-axle) vehicles. The changes will expand the program to allow heavy (three or more axle) vehicles to participate in the program

Refinancing - Approved refinancing $5.1 million of transportation bonds with a tax-exempt term note from Wachovia Bank, recognizing a savings of about $178,000.

Oil Drilling - Agreed to send a letter to Congress opposing any legislation ending the federal ban on offshore oil and gas drilling off Florida's coast. The U.S. House of Representatives Resources Committee is drafting a proposal that would end the ban while giving states greater say on whether they want energy development in their coastal waters.

Sanibel Bridge - Requested county staff to come back with proposals - within the existing budget and timeframe - for making the design of the Sanibel fixed span (replacing the drawbridge) as aesthetically pleasing, imaginative and creative as possible.

Lawsuit Fees - Approved continuing funding for the services of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson law firm to defend the lawsuit over school impact fees. Legal services are shared with the School Board. Total spent for Fiscal Year 2002/2003 from County Attorney's Office budget was approximately $42,886. A new purchase order for Fiscal Year 2003/2004 will be opened in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to be paid from the County Attorney's Office budget.