Mayor's Message
Dear Cape Coral Residents,
As we begin June, summer is underway in Cape Coral, along with the start of hurricane season. This is an important time for residents and businesses to be prepared and stay informed. I encourage everyone to review evacuation routes, know your flood zone, and sign up for emergency alerts to ensure your household or business is ready.
Public safety remains one of my highest priorities. Cape Coral continues to be recognized as one of the safest cities among communities of similar size, and that is no accident. It is the result of consistent, strategic investment in our police, fire, and emergency response services. I remain committed to ensuring our city stays safe as we grow.
We continue to invest in the infrastructure our community relies on every day, including expanding water, sewer, and irrigation services. These efforts support responsible growth and strengthen our long-term water strategy. We are encouraged by the positive impacts of the ongoing Utilities Extension Project, which is helping improve conditions in the Mid-Hawthorn Aquifer, and we will continue making data-driven decisions to protect our water resources.
As we look ahead, the Fiscal Year 2027 budget workshops continue. This year’s process comes with important considerations. Preliminary property values from the Lee County Property Appraiser show modest overall growth of approximately 2.34 percent, reflecting slight increases from new construction offset by decreases in existing property values.
At the same time, a proposed amendment expected to appear on the November ballot would significantly expand the homestead exemption. Cape Coral is a predominantly residential community, with more than 90 percent of developable land designated for single-family homes. Because of this, changes to the homestead exemption have a greater impact here than in many other communities.
If approved, the additional exemption could reduce the City’s taxable value by an estimated $9 billion and result in an approximate $46 million annual reduction in revenue based on today’s tax rate. This would directly affect the City’s ability to fund quality of life services that we provide today.
As we move through the budget process, my focus will remain on maintaining a safe community and continuing to invest in the infrastructure that supports our residents today and into the future.
June is an exciting time for parks. Tropicana Park is now open in NW Cape Coral, and we continue to make progress at Festival Park. At the Yacht Club, seawall work is ongoing, with infrastructure improvements and marine amenities moving forward. Other phases of the project are on hold for now due to high estimated costs.
Finally, we invite you to join us for Red, White and BOOM on July 4th as we celebrate America’s 250th.
Thank you for staying engaged and helping keep Cape Coral a safe, strong, and vibrant place to call home. It is an honor to serve as your Mayor.
Warm regards,
John Gunter
Mayor, Cape Coral Mayor