Fort Myers Beach town staff to deliver comprehensive stormwater utility review

Once again, one of the island's most contentious topics will come before the Fort Myers Beach Town Council: stormwater.

At the Dec. 19 workshop, scheduled for 2 p.m., town staff will deliver a comprehensive presentation about the state of the island's stormwater, its financial capabilities for achieving its needs, and all the options it has.

"We're going to try to explain the entire package so they can see exactly has been done, what needs to be done, what's been approved, and what's left to be approved," said interim Town Manager Jim Steele.

The "Cadillac plan" for the town's stormwater system - a capital project that would install "outfalls," or underground pipe systems to treat and drain stormwater - would cost $30.2 million, Steele said. However, that estimate is the most expensive option: the town will also be examining each street for its stormwater needs. Not every street needs an underground system. Some streets will have enough town right-of-way to use swales, or shallow drainage areas, for runoff and treatment. Swales are not very expensive to install, Steele said.