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Cape Coral Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Keeps Property Tax Millage Rate Steady
Cape Coral residents will pay the same property tax rate on their homes this year, though some city service fees are set to increase starting October.
How we reported this
The Cape Coral City Council adopted its fiscal year 2027 budget on June 30, 2026, leaving the operating millage rate at its current level of 6.5 mills. This decision affects every property owner within city limits, from single-family homes along the Caloosahatchee River to commercial buildings on Del Prado Boulevard. The rate determines the annual tax bill sent by the Lee County Tax Collector.
Why the timing matters for local households
City budget documents show that assessed property values rose an average of 8 percent over the past year. Without a millage cut, many owners would have faced larger bills. The council instead held the rate flat while shifting some costs into user fees for parks and recreation programs. This approach aligns with the city charter requirement to balance the general fund without raising the primary tax levy.
Residents who use the city’s aquatic centers or register children for youth sports will notice the difference first. Annual pool passes are projected to rise by $15, and field rental rates for local youth leagues will increase from $25 to $30 per hour. These changes appear in the adopted fee schedule attached to the budget resolution.
Where the money goes and what residents receive
The budget allocates $12.4 million more than last year to road resurfacing projects on streets such as Cape Coral Parkway and Burnt Store Road. Public safety receives an additional $3.2 million for new fire equipment and overtime at the police department. These line items come directly from the city manager’s proposed budget presented in May and later approved without amendment.
City analysts note that the unchanged millage rate means a typical $300,000 homesteaded home will see no increase in its city portion of the tax bill. The same home paid roughly $1,950 in city taxes last year. Commercial property owners along Pine Island Road will also see stable bills, though they pay higher non-homestead rates.
Implementation begins with the new fiscal year on October 1. The Lee County Property Appraiser will mail updated tax notices in November, and the first payments are due by December 31. City staff will hold two public workshops in August to explain the fee changes to residents and business owners.