9/15/26 Final Budget Hearing

The Lee County, Florida Board of County Commissioners held a final budget hearing on September 15, 2026, to adopt the fiscal year 2026-2027 budgets for the Port Authority and the county. The meeting included presentations of proposed budgets and millage rates by the CFO, public comments, and board discussions. A key procurement-related discussion involved a motion to increase the Port Authority executive director's salary to address pay disparities, which was approved. The board also approved a 5% pay raise for countywide employees, including constitutional officers, after deliberation. The hearing covered adoption of final millage rates and budgets for various special taxing units, the county library, unincorporated areas, and all hazard protection districts. Public comments addressed concerns about conservation funding and support for local nonprofit services. The board passed all budget and millage resolutions without objection, finalizing the county's fiscal year 2026-2027 budget.