Mayor's Message

Dear Cape Coral Residents, 

As we move into April, Cape Coral continues to grow. Our shared goal is to keep Cape Coral a safe, well‑maintained community where families and businesses can thrive.

City Council took an important step by reducing the millage rate for Fiscal Year 2026 while still providing the funding needed to support essential infrastructure in the City. This decision reflects Council’s commitment to fiscal responsibility—carefully balancing the desire to lessen the tax burden on our residents with the need to invest in critical priorities such as public safety, roads, drainage, and utilities.

Looking ahead, Council will be making difficult choices for the 2027 budget based on updated information from the Lee County Property Appraiser, and we will continue to evaluate how to best allocate limited resources to protect our quality of life.

We are also closely monitoring any property tax reform proposals at the state level and evaluating how potential changes could affect Cape Coral residents in the years ahead. Ensuring that we understand and plan for these impacts is essential to maintaining a safe and sustainable city providing essential services to our community.

In the coming months, City Council and staff will also be working to update the City’s Strategic Plan, which will help define the future vision and long‑term priorities for Cape Coral. This plan will guide how we invest in key areas such as public safety, transportation, utilities, and economic development so that our infrastructure and services keep pace with our growth.

Public safety will continue to be at the forefront of our work. The FY27 budget planning process builds on recent investments in our Police and Fire Departments so that our first responders have the tools, training, and staffing they need to protect our residents and businesses. At the same time, we are focused on improving transportation, strengthening evacuation routes, and maintaining our water, sewer, and stormwater systems to support a resilient, growing community.

It is an honor to serve as your Mayor, and I remain committed to maintaining a safe city and investing in the infrastructure that supports our quality of life today and for generations to come.

Warm regards,

John Gunter
Mayor, Cape Coral Mayor