VILLAGE CONNECTION – 2024: YEAR IN REVIEW
As we enter a new year, the Village of Estero has much to celebrate. 2024 brought many advancements to the community.
Estero Sports Park
The Village of Estero secured about 100 acres of property along Via Coconut Point and Williams Road for the future Estero Sports Park. This includes 21.2 acres previously owned by the Village, a lease on 52.8 acres of Lee County School District property, and purchase of 25.5 acres from Lee County for $700,000.
Village of Estero consultant Perez Planning completed a master planning effort for the Sports Park project. The planning effort included extensive public involvement through two public meetings, several Village Council meetings and Planning Zoning Design Review Board meetings. The final plan includes three multi-purpose long fields, a baseball field, a softball field, new football stadium seating, a golf driving range, two lawns, a splash pad and a playground, among other improvements.
Corkscrew Road improvements
Lee County completed the Phase 1 widening of Corkscrew Road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to the Village’s eastern boundary and started construction on the Phase 2 road widening from the Village’s eastern boundary to Alico Road. The completion of Phase 1 will allow the Village to start construction of pedestrian pathways, street lighting and landscaping in early 2025. This project is expected to be completed in mid-2026.
Low Taxes, Responsible Government
● In September, the Village lowered its millage rate to 0.73 mills for the current tax year, one cent lower compared to Fiscal Year 2023-24. The Village maintains the lowest tax rate in the Southwest Florida region and one of the lowest in the entire state.
● In March , the Village amended its Reserves Policy to retain 50% of general fund budgeted expenditures for an Emergency Reserve, plus 20% of general fund budgeted expenditures for an Operating Reserve, plus a $750,000 Litigation Reserve and an additional $300,000 Major Road Maintenance Reserve subject to 3% annual increases.
● The Village was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its most recent budget and audit.
Hurricanes and FEMA
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022, the costliest storm in the state’s history, the Village pivoted to provide assistance to those needing permits for hurricane repair. In early 2024, FEMA notified Lee County and four of its cities, including Estero, of potential probation from the National Flood Insurance Program, and loss of discounts for property owners with flood insurance. FEMA required extensive documentation, corrective action plans and procedures in order to remain in the flood insurance program. Estero Village Council placed this as one of its highest priorities, and staff worked diligently for eight months to provide the required documentation and complete the necessary procedures and reports. The Village was notified in November that it complied with FEMA’s requirement. This is important because flood insurance discounts will remain in effect for the Village’s residents.
In September and October 2024, hurricanes Helene and Milton both impacted the Village. The Village was in a much better position to deal with these hurricanes due to lessons learned from Hurricane Ian, procedures developed working with FEMA, and the proactive plans it has recently put in place for future disasters.