VILLAGE CONNECTION – 2025: YEAR IN REVIEW
Reflecting on the accomplishments of 2025, the Village of Estero has much to acknowledge and many advancements to anticipate in the year ahead.
Budget Award
The Village was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year 2023-24 budget. This award reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
Taxes to Remain Low
State shared revenue projections are stable and increasing slightly, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. The Village maintained its millage rate of 0.73 mills, remaining consistent with fiscal year 2024-25. The Village maintains the lowest tax rate in the Southwest Florida region and one of the lowest in the state of Florida.
Responsible Government
Village of Estero Councilmembers Joanne Ribble (District 1), Jeff Hunt (District 2) and Jim Ward (District 6) were sworn in on March 19 to serve four-year terms. Council then voted to elect Vice Mayor Joanne Ribble as the new mayor and Councilmember George Zalucki (District 7) as vice mayor for a two-year term each.
Capital Improvements
About 81 percent of the Village’s budget appropriates funding for capital improvements. The Fiscal Year 2025-26 Plan focuses on quality of life, beautification, bicycle and pedestrian safety, traffic improvements, park improvements, utility improvements and information technology improvements.
Highlights include:
● Corkscrew Road: Paths, landscaping and street lighting from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra.
● Utility Extension Projects: Connect the Cypress Bend and Sunny Grove communities to central sewer and demolish their package wastewater treatment plants.
● Estero Entertainment Campus: Finish site and building construction with opening of High 5 Entertainment in mid-2026.
● Estero SportsPark: Design, permitting and construction of Phase 1 improvements including an entry road, stormwater pond and two grass fields.
● Estero RiverPark: Complete Phase 1 construction (parking lot, restrooms, bridge and paths) and start Phase 2 — additional paths and a perimeter fence.
● River Oaks Preserve: Planning, design and permitting of park improvements including storage buildings, restrooms and trails. Construction is expected to start at the end of 2026 or early 2027.
● Estero River North Branch drainage: Planning, design and permitting of a regional pond along Three Oaks Parkway to help reduce flooding within the north branch of the Estero River. Construction is expected in 2027-28.
● Eco-Historic Planning: Study of the properties along U.S. 41 from Williams Road to south of Estero Parkway to identify how the corridor could take advantage of its unique location.
● Vulnerability Assessment: Study of the environmental risks the Village faces, including rainfall and storm surge, with recommendations to mitigate each risk.
The Capital Improvement Plan was approved by the Village Council in September as part of the overall Village budget. The Village’s new fiscal year began Oct. 1, 2025.