Cape Coral families push back against proposed youth sports fee increase

Cape Coral City Council faced backlash during a packed budget meeting on Tuesday after an email notified youth sports leaders of a potential increase in registration fees, sparking frustration and concern among families. Deanna Livingston, president of the Cape American Baseball League, described the emotional impact of the news. "It was a little overwhelming. And then just like all the emotions, because we're one family here and the cost of everything rises. So there's just it was such a huge, drastic number that seeing in the email," Livingston said. Stan Toro, president of the Cape Coral Soccer Association, criticized the timing of the proposal. "We sign a contract with the city, due August 1st, and we get this bomb dropped on us a couple days later. You know, it's a calculated maybe, but that's where we are. We're looking at a dramatic increase in our members' registrations because of this move. So I'm here to make sure that, you know, it doesn't happen," Toro said. City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn explained that three options were presented to the council for the 2027 fiscal year budget, one of which included raising costs to play at city sports fields. "They asked me to also come up with expense reductions. I've done both. You know, I've delivered three different opportunities to the council to consider. Only one of them has an increase in fees. The reason that the fees are on the table today is when you're looking at revenue options. A lot of the ones available to us are already foreclosed," Ilczyszyn said. Mayor John Gunter told residents he does not support the fee increase, and other council members assured the public that a "yes" vote to move the proposal to Wednesday's agenda was never intended. Many parents left the meeting with mixed emotions, relieved that the council voted against advancing the fee increase but upset that the idea caused panic among players and their families. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.