policy
Cape Coral FY2027 Budget Holds Property Tax Rate Steady, Setting Resident Payments Through September 2027
City documents show the approved millage rate leaves Cape Coral homeowners with unchanged city tax portions on their annual bills, while directing funds to road repairs and emergency services.
How we reported this
The Cape Coral City Council passed the fiscal year 2027 budget on July 7 at City Hall. The measure keeps the operating millage rate at 6.25 mills for the period beginning October 1, which applies to all properties within city limits.
Local budget cycles run on a July adoption schedule to meet state deadlines before the new fiscal year. City staff prepared the document using assessed property values from the Lee County Property Appraiser and revenue projections tied to growth in building permits issued through June.
Effects on Household Costs and Services
Residents who own homes valued at the city median will continue to pay the same city tax amount as last year, calculated on their property's taxable value after exemptions. This portion of the tax bill funds police patrols, fire response, and maintenance of parks along the Caloosahatchee River. The unchanged rate means no automatic increase appears on the November tax statement mailed by the Lee County Tax Collector.
Funds allocated in the budget cover scheduled repaving of 12 miles of local streets, including segments of Del Prado Boulevard and Cape Coral Parkway. Public works crews will also use the money to replace aging water mains in the northwest quadrant, where breaks have occurred multiple times in the past two years.
Budget Figures and Timeline
City budget documents list total general fund revenues at $312 million, with property taxes providing 38 percent of that amount. The remaining share comes from utility fees, state revenue sharing, and impact fees collected from new construction. These numbers appear in the adopted budget resolution posted on the city website.
Residents can review their individual tax estimates on the Lee County Property Appraiser site after the August TRIM notices are mailed. City finance staff will hold a workshop on August 12 at the Cape Coral Public Library to answer questions about how the millage rate translates to specific addresses.