Budget debate unfolds as Fort Myers S.T.A.R.S. Complex warns of program reductions

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Leaders at the S.T.A.R.S. Complex in Fort Myers say they may have to cut youth programs after learning they could have about $400,000 less in combined funding to operate during the next fiscal year.

During a Fort Myers City Council meeting, S.T.A.R.S. Senior Center Manager Amber Ware urged council members to restore funding, saying the reduction comes at a time when the city will rely even more on the complex while Billy Bowlegs Park undergoes construction.

"No one else had to tighten their belt. Stars took the brunt of this entire budget," said Amber Ware, senior center manager of the S.T.A.R.S. Parks & Recreation Division.

Ware said the combined budget for S.T.A.R.S. and Billy Bowlegs dropped from about $2.4 million to roughly $2 million, prompting concerns about how the complex will continue serving families over the next year.

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The City of Fort Myers said the budget changes are part of a broader effort to address limited revenue growth while maintaining city services.

"The reduction to S.T.A.R.S. budget is part of the city’s overall effort to develop a fiscally responsible FY2027 budget in the midst of limited revenue growth. The city remains committed to the S.T.A.R.S. program and the services it provides which is shown by the city’s significant investment with constructing the new Billy Bowlegs facility, as well as the S.T.A.R.S. Complex Expansion and Improvement projects.

The city’s budget is a fluid process that continues to be evaluated throughout the fiscal year. We work closely with department leadership to monitor funding levels, operational needs, and program performance. When warranted, budgets may be revisited and amended to ensure that departments have the resources necessary to provide an appropriate level of service and that programs continue to effectively meet the needs of the residents and customers they serve."

Ware said she's worried the financial uncertainty could affect programming before the new Billy Bowlegs facility opens.

"We still need to function over the next 12 months until that facility is built. And if you're cutting that facility now, what's going to happen next year when the budgets are even less? Is it not going to be funded at all? Please explain how this is going to happen. We need to have a plan and get prepared and be ready," Ware said.

If additional funding isn't restored, Ware said the complex may have no choice but to reduce participation in some programs.

"We're probably going to have to cut numbers of kids…. I haven't had a chance to even look at it as a whole to start making those types of cuts because this was all kind of thrown on us in the last two weeks. It's not like we had, you know, three or four months to put together an adequate plan, because right now we are at capacity in every single program and we need more space because we have a lot of kids," Ware said.

Ware said she doesn't yet know which programs or how many children could be affected, but hopes community support can help offset potential reductions.

"Hopefully we can have some more donations come in, get out there and do some fundraising and some other extracurricular activities that can bring in additional revenue. Stars is a community asset, and the community is what drives our business. So, therefore, your tax dollars are at work, and right now they're being cut," Ware said.

In a statement to WINK News, city officials said the perception of a $400,000 cut stems from combining the S.T.A.R.S. and Billy Bowlegs budgets. They said Billy Bowlegs is closed during construction, eliminating expenses that won't be needed this year.

"When looking at it as combined entities, the difference is the funding that was previously allocated for Billy Bowlegs (~$375K). For easy reference:

With Billy Bowlegs not operational in FY2027 due to the construction of the new facility, there are budgeted line items not needed in FY2027 that were in the FY2026 budget including the rental of portable classrooms, items for resale, operating supplies, contract services, travel, security for events, utilities, etc. With the removal of those items, yes, the 'combined budget' is less.

However, per below, there is no cut to the STARS budget line item, specifically. STARS and Billy Bowlegs are two different divisions in the city.

There are other funding opportunities for STARS to assist with summer camp-after care programming meals for kids. There is also another grant opportunity through the Department of Justice that could assist with the current teen programming and potentially enhance it. Our Grants & Special Projects Department is researching how we can utilize these fundings.

The FY26 adopted STARS budget was $1,883,150.00, and the FY27 preliminary budget is $2,040,495.00."

Despite the city's explanation, Ware said the financial changes will still create challenges for the youth programs families depend on.