Cape Coral Council Jacks Up Taxes Again Because Apparently We’re All Made of Money🙄

Cape Coral Council Approves Another Huge Tax Increase — Because Why Not?

Congratulations, Cape Coral! While your property values slide downhill faster than a kid on a Slip ’N Slide (down 3.29% in 2024 and projected to keep dropping), your City Council just gave a big, happy thumbs-up to the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that raises taxes, assessments, and water/sewer rates by a whopping $58.4 million — or 14.85%.

But don’t worry, it’s for your benefit.

FY 2025 VS FY 2026 Prposed

The city will also be adding 65 new employees. Do we need them? Well, no… but apparently the city wants to keep its crown as Cape Coral’s largest employer. Because what’s the point of being a government if you’re not growing like a bloated balloon?

Next week, you’ll be receiving your TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice and your separate assessment notice in the mail. That’s when you’ll see the tax part of the damage. The water/sewer bill shocker won’t hit you until October — because suspense is part of the fun.

If you’ve owned your home for a few years, here’s the “good” news: even though your property value went down, your taxes will still most likely go up by 2.9% thanks to the “Save Our Homes” benefit. Which is starting to feel more like “Save Our City’s Payroll.”

And of course, they make it oh-so-easy to see how much more you’re paying. Just dig out last year’s bill, your assessment notice, and maybe a calculator, a pot of coffee, and an aspirin.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 5:05 pm. That’s when they’ll hold the “public hearing” at City Hall to approve this little love letter to your wallet.

If you think this is outrageous — and you should — speak up. Contact your council member, show up and speak up.   And maybe, just maybe, Florida’s DOGE needs to come sniff through Cape Coral’s books to see how they’ve been milking property owners since 2020.

Because at this rate, the only thing “saved” will be the city’s budget… at your expense.

You can view the proposed budget HERE.

All information has been thoroughly investigated and reported by the Take Out the Trash Committee of Cape Coral and/or its authorized volunteers!