Letter of Recognition

Mayor Joanne Ribble and Councilmembers presented a letter of recognition to Estero High School student Philip Walczak who ranked in the top 1% of his class with a 4.0 anticipated GPA and 5.24 weighted GPA. At FGCU, Philip is a member of the Deep Tech Club, helping design and build a rocket with a goal of reaching 5,000 feet. He also balances his academic achievements with a job at Culver’s and his passion for astronomy and astrophotography.

Second Public Budget Hearings

Council adopted the millage rate at .7300 mills, which is equivalent to last year’s rate and is the lowest tax rate in Florida.

Council also adopted the fiscal year budget at $72,973, 080, with $54,280,000 for Capital Improvement Projects.

The budget also includes $62 million in anticipated debt proceeds to support planned capital investments.

The FY 2027 Tentative Budget Book is available here.

Public comment on non-agenda items: one eComment card was placed into the record.

Action Items

Resolution 2026-24 – Special Obligation Revenue Bonds, Series 2026

Council adopted this resolution authorizing up to $65 million in bonds to finance or reimburse the costs of the following capital improvement projects, also known as legacy projects:

• Acquisition of approximately 4.1 miles of rail line/corridor located within the Village and currently controlled by Seminole Gulf Railway.
• Various capital improvements related to rail/public transportation, recreation, and other public infrastructure.
• Phase 2 of the Estero SportsPark, including two full-size synthetic multi-use athletic fields that may also support up to four softball/baseball fields; an event lawn and open space areas; pedestrian and walking paths; two restroom buildings; a pavilion; a maintenance facility; roadway extension; site infrastructure; and parking improvements.

Bonita-Estero Rail Trail (BERT) – first amendment to the purchase and sale agreement

Council approved this first amendment to the purchase and sale agreement between the Village and The Trust for Public Land for the Bonita Estero Rail Trail (BERT) property, extending the inspection period and closing date to allow additional time to complete due diligence and coordination for the project.

SportsPark mowing, turf, and athletic field maintenance services

Council approved FY 2027 task orders with JSM Services, Inc., not to exceed $161,459, plus $17,500 in contingency funding for mowing, turf and athletic field maintenance, clay and bullpen services, laser grading, and related work in the Estero SportsPark and associated athletic facilities.

Workshop

Broadway Avenue West roadway improvements update

The Village’s consultant Jesse Gill, CW3 Engineering, provided an update on the Broadway Ave West roadway improvement project which included the following information:

• Public Involvement
• Roadway Design Changes
• Utlities Financial Impact
• Landscape Plans
• Cost Estimate
• Project Schedule

No voting occurs during workshops.

Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website.

The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2026.