| Chapter 98-488, Florida States, as amended by Chapter 2000-413, Laws of Floirda, gave authority to the City of Fort Myers and Lee County to enter into an Inter-local Agreement, subject to referendum approval, for municipal annexation of two unincorporated enclaves known as Dunbar and Belle Vue (see attached maps). The Inter-local Agreement provides a schedule for the transition of services should the electorate vote favorably for the proposed annexation.
The Inter-local Agreement addresses the provision of services and associated infrastructure needed for police, code enforcement, fire protection and rescue services, roadways and transportation, sidewalks, affordable housing, solid waste, etc. In negotiating the provisions of the Inter-local Agreement with Lee County, the negotiations were undertaken with the agreement that the County would provide the minimum County Level of Service for all public services. The responsibility and costs associated with increasing the services to the adopted City level of service would be borne by the City (see attached Inter-local Agreement).
Should the electorate cast a favorable vote these two enclaves will become part of the City's existing Enterprise Zone. After annexation, the City of Fort Myers anticipates a total increase in expenditures in the first year by $1,945,672. Of this amount, $1,166,860 is associated with an increase in capital costs.
The following is a summary of the breakout of the capital costs associated with the provision of public services and infrastructure:
LAW ENFORCEMENT - Equipment $647,660
Law enforcement services will be phased in over a period of three (3) years. Phase-in will begin upon the date of annexation and conclude three (3) years following such date. In the first year, the city will be responsible to provide municipal-level law enforcement for Area 1 described as having a northern border of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, a southern border of Canal Street, a western border of Ford Street, and an eastern border of Flint Drive. Based on the City's research and data, this area has 703 active occupied locations (residences and businesses). In order to implement a smooth transitional phase-in of services, the workload projections will require:
The following additional vehicle costs:
Six (6) fully equipped patrol units @ $45,874 $275,244
One (1) unmarked detective vehicle $46,788
One (1) SIG vehicle $46,788
One (1) Community Policing vehicle $25,000
One (1) School Resource vehicle $25,000
Four (4) Community Service Aides vehicles $100,000
Sub-Total: $518,820
The following additional costs:
Fourteen (14) sets of portable radios,
uniforms, bulletproof vests and firearms
(est. $6,000.00 each) $84,000
Vehicle Maintenance - $3,000 annual x 14 vehicles $42,000
Radio Fees - for fourteen (14) radios x
$16.90 per radio per month x 12 months $2,840
Sub-Total: $128,840
CODE ENFORCEMENT - Code violation abatement efforts $385,000
The City's code enforcement efforts will mirror the phase-in schedule for the police services and associated geographic boundary areas. The City's code enforcement goals for the annexed areas are to create safe, attractive residential and business neighborhoods; assist the community in building pride, responsibility and involvement; and improve property values and the quality of life. A recent survey of the subject property's by City code officers identified approximately 109 "unsafe" structures that will need to be addressed immediately upon annexation.
TRANSPORTATION
Repair of existing roads $42,000
Replacement of County street signs
with City street signs $19,300
Section IX of the Inter-Agreement provides that upon annexation, the County will continue the Overlay Program for a period of five (5) years. However the City will be responsible for all other street maintenance, overlays, resurfacing, etc. beginning immediately upon annexation. The anticipated capital costs associated in the first year alone is $42,000.
Additionally, all the County street signs located within the enclaves will need to be replaced with City street signs. Under the provisions of the Inter-local agreement, the County will replace the street signs with the costs reimbursed by the City. The anticipated capital costs associated is $19,300.
DRAINAGE
Ongoing commitment $42,900
Environmental (NPDES Compliance) $30,000
Upon annexation, the County will continue to perform County Core Level of Service maintenance of all necessary Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System components for a period of one year. The City will be responsible for all other drainage structure's maintenance and cleaning.
The City's core drainage service provides for mowing and cleaning every six to eight weeks, dredging approximately every seven years, chemical treatment three times annually, and ongoing environmental field screening and monitoring. City staff has analyzed the existing conditions of various drainage systems located within the enclave areas. There are 6.78 miles of drainage systems. This would increase the City's drainage and maintenance effort by approximately 34 percent. Initially, city staff has evaluated the system and concluded that approximately 2.4 miles of the system require initial cleaning/clearing by an outside contractor. Once that is accomplished, it is anticipated that City maintenance crews could maintain most of the area. There may some areas that need specialized equipment and treatment.
|
