Do You Want To Protect Your Future?

Do you want to protect your future and your town ???

WELCOME TO LEHIGH ACRES, FLORIDA “102 SQUARE MILES IN PARADISE”


Lehigh Acres, a community of 63,000 wonderful people, close to the beaches but far enough away to be safe, near a wonderful river, but high enough to be dry.

A community of diverse ages, with enough character to attract all. While developing rapidly, the greatest portion is still country.

Shopping and employment opportunities to satisfy everyone

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHY SHOULD LEHIGH ACRES INCORPORATE? -
With rapid growth many problems arise. These are generally of a local nature. And affect the quality of life locally. Non-residents conducting our government 15 miles away cannot address them.

WON'T INCORPORATION BE EXPENSIVE? -
No more expensive than your current costs. Because of revenue streams from many sources there will be more than enough money to provide at least the same services you now enjoy.

WHAT ARE REVENUE STREAMS? -
Various moneys to which an incorporated city is entitled. These include ad valorum taxes, centerline road fees, and franchise taxes from utilities, state revenue sharing and others.

HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO RUN THE CITY OF LEHIGH ACRES? -
Approximately $13,500,000.

HOW MUCH INCOME WOULD THE CITY OF LEHIGH ACRES RECEIVE THE FIRST YEAR? -
Approximately $14,000,000.

IF HOMES IN LEHIGH ACRES ARE PRICES BELOW MUCH OF THE REST OF LEE COUNTY, WON'T TAXES BE INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT A CITY? -
No, there are other factors working in our favor. These include: Rapidly rising property values. Lehigh has a vibrant and growing commercial tax base, in the business district and the industrial park. Vacant land being returned to tax roles because of recent value increases, back taxes being paid in millions of dollars, all without requiring municipal services. Thousands of new homes under construction or awaiting permits.


WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY LEE COUNTY?
An antiquated zoning code
Inadequate code enforcement
No local county offices for building permits, occupational licenses and many other services a municipality should expect
No commissioner lives and/or works in Lehigh Acres
Hearings and petitions are held in Fort Myers
No local officials to intercede in emergencies
No local planning for such emergencies
No say in how our tax dollars are spent


SHOULD LEHIGH ACRES COMPLETE A MASTER PLAN BEFORE INCORPORATING? -
Not necessary, nor required by law. The Planning Corporation should continue its works. Results can be accepted by the City of Lehigh Acres as well as by Lee County, or they may be revised to meet problems later identified.

WHO WOULD BE THE LEADERS OF THIS CITY? -
Every recently incorporated city had to answer that question. As a community proceeds toward incorporation there seems to be a natural process by which leader arise. And the people of Lehigh Acres would elect all officers.

WON'T I BE FORCED TO INSTALL WATER AND SEWER AT A HIGH COST? -
All extensions are now subject to moves of the Florida Government Utilities Authority. They will be expanding on a limited basis, and we now have no control over their plans. The proposed City Charter prohibits taking over that utility except by a majority vote of Lehigh Acres citizens.

I CAME HERE TO LIVE AS I PLEASE, IN UNANIMATED PORTIONS OF LEHIGH ACRES. WON'T MY FREE WAY OF LIFE BE CHANGED? -
Probably, but that will be more a function of the inevitable increased population rather than incorporation.

IS LEHIGH ACRES BIG ENOUGH TO INCORPORATE? -
Yes, it is already much larger in area and population that Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel, all cities.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO NOT INCORPORATE? -
Unbridled growth will create problems of zoning, location of schools, parks and business districts. Each area of Lehigh Acres will be a mixture of size, styles, permitted uses, poor road networks and other negative aspects associated with absentee management.

HOW MUCH SAY WILL AN INDIVIDUAL HAVE IN THE CITY OF LEHIGH ACRES? -
That will depend on you. You may attend meetings of the governing body, which will be open. You will have a good chance of seeing your mayor and councilmen in the local stores, restaurants, private gatherings, etc. There will be many boards and commissions open to residents on which to serve. Politics will be local, they way they should be.

WHAT IF I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH ONE OR MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS? -
Work to throw the bum out at the next election.

HOW CAN THE CITY CHARTER BE CHANGED? -
The charter must be reviewed three years after approval, again five years after approval, and thereafter at least every ten years.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE THREE LOCAL TAXING DISTRICTS NOW IN EXISTENCE? -
The Lighting District would be merged into the city upon incorporation. The Fire Control District and the East County Water Control District can only be merged upon approval of the voters, or by mutual agreement, or by dissolution of the special district.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE INCORPORATION REPORT FOR LEHIGH ACRES

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PROPOSED CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF LEHIGH ACRES

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PROPOSED BOUNDARIES FOR THE CITY OF LEHIGH ACRES

What are some of the main benefits of incorporation?

The single biggest advantage is the power of “Home Rule” given to cities under the Florida constitution. This gives the control of local land use and zoning to the city council and takes it away from the county commission. The council will also have the power to establish the levels of services for all government services such as code enforcement, parks and recreation, public safety and right of way maintenance.

As proposed the report contemplates no new revenues of any kind, rather it redirects all existing revenues going to Lee County government to go to the new city government. As long as there are no requests for new services there will be no new taxes required to cover expenses.
After incorporation all public services will continue to be provided by the agencies that are presently providing the services. The only thing that will change is the method of payment and who will be providing direction and setting priorities, under incorporation city council will be setting direction and establishing priorities.