Kevin Greenville selected to serve as Village of Estero Finance Director
Kevin Greenville was introduced as the Village’s new Finance Director at a recent Council budget hearing. Greenville came to the Village having previously served as the chief financial officer for multiple governments in Maryland, and in several finance positions for a $1billion revenue health insurance company in the federal employee benefits health insurance program. Greenville is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has a Master’s of Science, Accountancy from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Financial Economics from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Government Finance Officers [Read More.]
Estero residents receiving Hurricane Ian assistance in the Village Hall
FEMA now has a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in the Village Hall Council Chambers. The DRC is available to provide residents with everything they need to know about how to apply for assistance as a result of Hurricane Ian. FEMA staff assisted 14 residents the first afternoon they were open in Estero. They ask residents who have insurance to file with them first and then come to the DRC with the insurance estimate. If a resident has been denied by their insurance agency, they should bring the denial in to the DRC. They stressed that residents should continue to ask [Read More.]
Village Attorney, FEMA maps, and septic to sewer projects among topics presented before Council on November 16, 2022
Community Development Director Mary Gibbs “presents” Howard Levitan (on Zoom) with the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Outstanding Elected Official Award The meeting started with Community Development Director Mary Gibbs recognizing former Councilmember and Planning, Zoning & Design Board Co-Chair Howard Levitan for receiving the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Outstanding Elected Official Award. Gibbs stated that, “This is a very prestigious award given out annually for outstanding leadership and commitment. It’s unheard of to receive two awards in one year and is certainly a testament to Howard’s commitment, vision and passion.” Levitan, who served two terms on [Read More.]
Disaster Recovery Center to open at Village Hall tomorrow
FEMA will open a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in the Village Hall Council Chambers to provide assistance and recommendations to residents. DRCs are located in accessible facilities where you may visit to learn more about FEMA, other disaster assistance programs, and ask specific questions about your case. A DRC may be able to help you: Apply for assistance. You may also apply for FEMA assistance online or apply/check your status by phone 1-800-621-3362. Learn more about disaster assistance programs. Learn the status of your FEMA application. Understand any letters you get from FEMA. Find housing and rental assistance information. Get [Read More.]
Save the date: Light up Estero on December 3
The annual Light up Estero is scheduled for 4 – 7 p.m., Saturday, December 3, at the Ocean Church parking area, 22100 Tamiami Trail. This year’s theme is “Unity in the Community” to honor those who helped with our recovery from Hurricane Ian. There will be bounce houses for the children, food trucks, holiday music performed by the New Horizons of Southwest Florida Choir, Christmas carol sing-along, lighting of the Christmas tree and, of course, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus via an Estero Fire Rescue fire truck. While the event is free…net proceeds from the event will be [Read More.]
GO Divas provided beautiful music while helping those in need enjoy Thanksgiving
Gulfshore Opera Divas performed a beautiful, lively musical program featuring music by such composers as Mozart and Handel to Paul Simon and Carole King to benefit Southwest Florida’s largest Thanksgiving outreach mission Feeding the 5000*. The GO Divas received a standing ovation by concertgoers at their first concert at the Estero Lamb of God Church. The Gulfshore Opera plans a second concert at this church in March when they will be performing songs of Ireland. To learn more about the Gulfshore Opera, whose offices are located here in Estero, go to their website here. *Feeding the 5000: Thanksgiving Outreach is [Read More.]
Corkscrew Road widening project update from Lee County November 12, 2022
The following work activities are scheduled to occur, however unforeseen underground conditions and weather may affect this schedule. Beginning Monday, November 14 through Friday, November 18 during the nighttime/overnight hours of 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.,crews will be removing and installing utilities under the Bella Terra driveway. During this time, one half of the driveway will remain open to two-way traffic. This is work is scheduled during nighttime hours and both the entrance and exit are expected to be open during the daytime hours. Beginning this week, motorists should expect dump trucks pulling in and out of traffic near the driveways of The Preserve [Read More.]
Lee County Solid Waste to resume yard-waste collection next week
Lee County Solid Waste announced that containerized yard waste collection will resume in all county-served areas beginning Monday, November 14. Residents are asked to use containers, paper lawn and leaf bags or clear plastic bags to set vegetative material – including palm fronds – curbside on their regular collection day. Black plastic bags and bundled yard waste will not be collected with curbside yard waste at this time. Those items will be collected at a later date by the storm-debris contractor using specialized equipment. Residents are asked to keep their containerized yard waste separate from any hurricane debris piles.
Council to conduct a workshop on utilities expansion following their meeting on November 16, 2022
Council will start their meeting at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, addressing the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce’s financial support for strategic plans for future growth and impact. They will then review a resolution for Village Attorney and a final budget amendment, then conduct public hearings for Milan Villas rezoning, flood hazard reduction standards and adopting the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Council will then conduct a workshop for an update on utility expansion projects. The full agenda is here.
Council conducted budget hearings on November 9, 2022
Public Budget Hearings Resolution 2022-33 – final millage rate Council approved this resolution adopting the ad valorem taxes for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 at a millage rate of 0.75 mills, which is a reduction from the prior year’s rate of 0.77. Council has voted five times to reduce the tax rate since incorporation, making Estero’s tax rate the lowest in Southwest Florida. Resolution 2022-34 – Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget Village Manager Steve Sarkozy gave a short presentation on the FY 2022-2023 budget commenting on the fact that the Village is debt-free, having paid off the loan for the Estero on the River [Read More.]