October 6, 2021 / Issue #2021-40

CONGRATULATIONS!

At this week's Town Council meeting, 20 volunteers were appointed or re-appointed to eight of the Town’s advisory boards and committees.

Thank you for your service to the Town of Fort Myers Beach!

Town's Fiscal Year 2022 budget adopted on September 16, took effect October 1

Town Council held its two regular September meetings a week apart on the 9^th and 16^th in the evening at 5:01 p.m. The annual required public budget hearings were the main agenda item at each meeting. Florida law requires municipalities to conduct budget hearings in the evening.

At the second public budget hearing on September 16, Town Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget, retaining the millage rate at .95. Parking fees were increased from $3 to $5 an hour and short term rental registration fees were increased to $300. These increases will take effect on January 1, 2022. Revenue currently generated by these fees offsets operating costs and helps keep property taxes low.

Proposed uses for revenue generated by these increases include implementing a parking app that communicates open spaces in Town and commercial lots, covering inflation on the Bay Oaks, Bayside Park, and Times Square redevelopment projects, and developing a plan for workforce housing.

One addition to the proposed budget at the time of its approval was $25,000 for security cameras as a first step toward enhancing public safety. The proposed addition to the budget of approximately $230,000 for a community policing program was not supported by the majority of Town Councilors though it was a topic of much discussion. 

Three special event permits were approved by Town Council this week

New office for Matanzas Harbor Mooring Field opened October 1

Stop by the new office in Harbour House at Old San Carlos and First Street. It is near the Mooring Field dinghy dock and the previous office at Matanzas Inn. It opened for business on October 1 and is being managed for the first time by Town staff in the Public Works Department. 

Be sure to admire the unique front counter crafted by Austin out of reclaimed material from signs that the Town recently replaced. The pictures don't do it justice!

Fright Night at Bay Oaks
is October 22

Fright Night, a beloved tradition in the Town of Fort Myers Beach for young and old alike, returns to Bay Oaks Recreational Campus on Friday, October 22, 2021.

This year’s event will be held outside from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The fun will include a costume contest, corn maze, haunted trail, games and prizes, huge slide, bungee-trampoline, and food trucks.

Cost is $4 a person or $10 for a family of four. Payment in the form of cash only will be accepted at the entrance.
For more information, call 239-765-4222.

 Thank you to all generous candy donors!!!
The candy demand has been met!

Save the date 

Mound House weekly outdoor nature & education events for

October 7 through October 16

Mound House & Newton Beach Park Program Description for  October 2021
also
October 2021 Program Calendar

Plans for 2022 Leadership Conference are underway

The Town needs your input about plans for its next leadership conference to educate interested community members about Town government and services. 

• I liked the special tours at all of the stops on the field trips. I had been to all of the places except the historical cottage and yet I learned so much at each stop.
• The variety and breadth of experiences provides a superb overview of what FMB has to offer.
• The emphasis on how to access different services, individuals and locations was extremely helpful.
• EVERYONE on FMB should take this conference!
• It really instilled a feeling of pride for our community and a desire to be a good steward of our island.

Did you know?

The Town has wheelchairs adapted to the beach environment for loan to people with disabilities. To use, a deposit (credit card) is necessary and an agreement will need to be completed.

 View and download the agreement

To reserve, please call the Beach and Street Enforcement (BASE) Team at 239-463-5888 at least an hour in advance.

Town Hall now has 35 extra parking spaces on evenings and weekends

Town Hall at 2525 Estero Boulevard has 35 new spaces for paid parking in the evenings and on the weekends. (From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., this parking is still free for those who are conducting Town business.) 

Did you know?
Lee County has a list of places to call if you need assistance with a nuisance, injured, or dead animal 

Marine Resource Task Force Adventure Pop Up Booth 

Has COVID-19 impacted your household or workplace?  Take Lee County's Survey 

Turtle nests are still hatching!

Thanks for everything you are doing to keep the turtles
and their hatchlings safe. Read more

ATTENTION Beachfront property owners

Sea turtle lighting retrofitting might be covered by a grant 

BEACHFRONT property owners might be able to get the costs of retrofitting lighting fixtures and bulbs that comply with sea turtle regulations paid for by The Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Beachfront Lighting Retrofit Program.

Fort Myers Beach is dog-friendly

Please follow a few simple rules while enjoying the Beach with your pet

Do you have questions about permits that are needed for building or remodeling projects?

• Read Frequently Asked Questions on the Town's website.
• Visit the permitting section on the Town's website.
• Watch an educational session about permitting from a Town Council meeting led by staff from the Building Services Department. (Starts at 1 hour, 30 minutes, 40 seconds.)

239-765-0202 ext. 1303
buildingpermits@fmbgov.com 

Per Florida Building Code (102.2), a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, alter, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system; the installation of which is regulated by technical code. 

The Town's online permitting service is called iWorQ and can be used to:

• Search and view permits
• View status
• Download/ print approved documents
• Pay fees
• Schedule inspections

PERMIT SEARCH
If you are searching for record information or paying fees,
you are not required to create an account.

Keep up on the schedule of Town Council and advisory committee meetings

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website for the

Upcoming meetings

The Town of Fort Myers Beach has partnered with DemandStar which is open and accessible to all businesses and gives instant access to RFPs, RFQs, and ITBs 

Read more about bids and proposals