Fort Myers property taxes rising to fund $109M police headquarters

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A warning from financial experts is now a reality for Fort Myers residents as the approval of a new police department headquarters is pushing property taxes higher.

On Monday, as part of the 2027 budget, city council approved a millage rate of 6.9, up from 6.5, its first increase in a decade, at the same time increasing utility costs.

Residents would pay $6.90 per $1,000 in their taxable property value which Christine Tenney, the city’s financial services director, warned could change if voters approve Amendment 3 on the ballot in November.

City financial leaders say the property tax increase would bring in an additional $5.5 million in revenue, supporting a 2027 budget packed with city improvement projects, including the new police headquarters.

Fort Myers Police Department officials argue they've outgrown their current building. However, in July, Tenney informed city council members there was not enough money in the city’s general fund to cover the entire project.

"Keep in mind this the police headquarters project is not the only project we will need to seek funding for. It's a lot to add to our budget and it's not just a one time, one year. This is 20 to 30 years," Tenney said, noting the far reaching effects of approving the police headquarters project.

Despite the warning from Tenney, city council approved the new police headquarters, the $109 million price tag that comes with it and a possible $38 million buffer for additional costs once construction begins.

Alex, a Fort Myers resident who declined to provide his last name, shared his concern over the council overlooking Tenney’s warning.

"You’re going over the current authority that is telling you ‘not right now, not the moment’. Which is shameful," Alex said.

The city will be taking out loans to afford the project. Tenney also warned those loans come with a $7.82 million debt service fee which would not be covered by the city's general fund. That added cost combined with debt fees from projects already underway are adding pressure to taxpayers' pockets.

"That's severely overstepping and to put all of that pressure on to the average consumer that is already not having a great time as things stand I don't love that," Alex said.

Contract documents show one of the more expensive additions to the new headquarters would be an indoor firing range, adding an estimated cost upwards of $3 million. Still, some taxpayers who declined to go on camera said anything that benefits the police department they support.

The project is expected to be completed by 2028.