Special City Council Meeting - September 10, 2026

The Cape Coral City Council held a special meeting on September 10, 2026, primarily focused on discussing and setting the tentative millage rate and the fiscal year 2027 operating and capital budget. The council reviewed a proposed millage rate of 5.1988 mills and considered a reduced rate of 5.1471 mills, which would require approximately $1.64 million in expenditure reductions. Staff presented budget adjustments due to an unexpected $2.2 million decrease in state shared revenues, necessitating additional cuts or use of the budget stabilization reserve to balance the budget. The council voted to set the tentative millage rate at 5.1471 mills and approved using the budget stabilization fund to cover the shortfall, deferring specific expenditure cuts to a later date. The tentative budget was set at approximately $1.44 billion, with a final adoption scheduled for September 24, 2026. Public comments included concerns about contract reductions, such as a 63% cut to a local media vendor's contract, and capital improvement impacts on residents. The meeting also included discussions on public safety funding, infrastructure investments, and financial sustainability policies.