Fort Myers Beach set to raise stormwater, water rates

The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council unanimously approved moving forward with a $5 a month per-unit increase to its stormwater rate to $25.98 while also moving forward a process to raise its water rates.

The announcements follow presentations given to the town council in May outlining significant increases in capital needs for its ongoing stormwater project improvements.

Back in May, the town's consultants said about $10.1 million was borrowed to finance phase two of the Estero Boulevard side street and stormwater improvements.

An additional $15 million in capital needs were identified over the next few years:

• Tier 1 stormwater improvements: $7.98 million
• North Estero Phase 2, Part 2: $4.356 million
• North Estero Phase 2, Part 1: $2.66 million

The council was told it would need to borrow $21.6 million.