BUSINESSPEOPLE UNITED FOR POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE GENERAL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 19, 2023
HELD AT EDISON RESTAURANT LOCATED AT FORT MYERS COUNTRY CLUB
3591 MCGREGOR BLVD, FT. MYERS FLORIDA
Call to order
The meeting was called to order by President Johnny Limbaugh at 7:30 am.
Pledge of allegiance
President Limbaugh led the pledge.
Recognition of elected officials
Kevin Anderson- Mayor of Fort Myers
Debbie Jordan- Lee County School Board- District 4
Eddie Stoles- District Aide to Spenser Roach
Albert Griffith-Legislative Aide to Senator Jonathan Martin- Senate District 33
Introduction of Speaker
President Limbaugh introduced today’s speaker Matt Caldwell, Lee County Property Appraiser.
Mr. Caldwell spoke about tax relief for residential property owners whose property was uninhabitable for at least 30 days due to hurricane IAN. Relief will come in the form of a 25% refund on 2022 property taxes. The refund applies to value of improved buildings only, not to land. Applicants for the refund should go to leepa.org to apply on a digital form on the website. 20,000 property owners have applied. 100,000 properties qualify for the refund. 10,000 to 15,000 properties are a total loss. The state legislature has approved the refunds and will provide funds to support recovery. Mr. Caldwell said property values have increased 34% over 2021. Sales are higher than before IAN. He credits the increases to property owners selling damaged properties rather than rebuilding.
Mr. Caldwell responded to a questioner asking about the new leadership at the Lee County Republican Executive Committee by noting the rift between the prior leadership and the newly elected leadership is caused by differences in personalities rather than issues. He said the jury is out concerning the new leadership’s ability to succeed in accomplishing anything. He said this is the third upset in 20 years. Older people are healthier and serving longer which deprives a younger generation opportunity. Demographics are changing, younger people are not highly engaged and the world will be different by 2030 as the world population shrinks.
Adjournment
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 am by President Limbaugh.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Moore
Secretary
BUSINESSPEOPLE UNITED FOR POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 5, 2023
HELD AT THE EDISON RESTURANT LOCATED AT FORT MYERS COUNTRY CLUB
3591 MCGREGOR BLVD, FT. MYERS, FLORIDA
Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 am by President Johnny Limbaugh.
Pledge of allegiance
President Limbaugh led the pledge
Recognition of elected officials
Nancy McGovern- Lee Health Board of Directors
Debbie Jordan- Lee County School Board-District 4
Armor Persons- Chairman of the Lee County School Board
Jada Langford-Fleming- Lee County School Board- District 6
Kevin Anderson- Mayor of Ft. Myers
Mayor Anderson noted that he recently returned from London, England where he attended the New Year’s Day Parade where the Ft. Myers High School Band performed. He complimented the band for their performance and their decorum while representing the city of Ft. Myers.
He also noted that it’s the 50th Anniversary of the Ft. Myers Boat Show happening January 1-8 and encouraged attendance.
Introduction of Speaker
President Limbaugh introduced Jada Langford-Fleming, newly elected Lee County School Board Member- District 6.
Ms. Langford-Fleming explained that after 20 years of teaching in Lee County schools she resigned in frustration with the system and decided to run for the School Board in hopes of changing things for the better.
She said the transition to the new Board has been smooth and all schools are open and functioning after the impact of hurricane IAN.
She responded to questions from BUPAC members regarding:
-should the Ft. Myers Beach school be rebuilt or closed. No decision yet.
-she said school safety is a high priority. She addressed the suggested Guardian Program by saying she will listen and work with law enforcement, healthcare professionals and other authorities to develop extra layers of security in schools.
She also addressed:
-controlling boundaries, entrances and exits to schools
-busing of students is an issue the Board intends to address
-improving the current 85% graduation rate
-she does not support an exemption from taxes ear-marked for education for tax payers over age 65
-she believes teacher retention can be improved with better insurance, better pay and more affordable housing
In summary, she said there are many unresolved issues and her decisions regarding solutions will be highly tempered by her fiscally conservative values.
Meeting adjourned
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Moore
Secretary
BUSINESSPEOPLE UNITED FOR POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE GENERAL MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 2022
HELD AT THE EDISON RESTAURANT LOCATED AT FORT MYERS COUNTRY CLUB 3591 MCGREGOR BLVD. FT. MYERS, FLORIDA
Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 AM by President Johnny Limbaugh
Pledge of allegiance
President Limbaugh led the pledge
Recognition of elected officials
Nancy McGovern- Lee Health Board of Directors- District 2
Debbie Jordan- Lee County School Board- District 4
Introduction of Speaker
President Limbaugh introduced Kevin Anderson, Mayor of Ft. Myers and BUPAC Program Chairman to speak about his efforts to secure high quality speakers for BUPAC meetings and current events and actions in Ft. Myers.
Program Improvement Initiative
Chairman Anderson observed that because 2023 is an off-year election year, potential speakers will be more available. He has already scheduled speakers through March 2023. The schedule is:
January 5- Jada Langford-Fleming, School Board District 6
January 12- Tommy Doyle, Lee County Supervisor of Elections
January 19- Matt Caldwell, Lee County Property Appraiser
January 26- Marc Collins- Executive Director, Uncommon Friends Foundation
His objective is to schedule leaders in politics, officials and community organizations for the entire year soon.
Report on city of Ft. Myers actions, events and plans
-Mayor Anderson and a contingent of other city staff and leaders recently had a productive trip to Santiago, Dominican Republic. Santiago is Ft. Myers sister city. He reported his hosts were friendly, congenial and informative.
-Many options for developing the former News Press building have been explored. None have been approved following City Council objections
-Plans for the proposed mixed-use site by Bruno’s continue in development.
-The back 9 holes of the city owned Eastwood County Club golf course have reopened. The club is profitable
-Mayor Anderson commented that the Dunbar neighborhood is unfortunately misunderstood. The neighborhood image does not reflect the reality of award-winning schools and improving housing.
-A new Cultural Center at the MLK and Clementa intersection is underway.
-Other city initiatives
Traffic improvements
Lots of options for the baseball stadium. Costs the city $500,000 annually to own it
Midtown, entertainment is important, parking is inadequate, wider sidewalls are needed
-Ian damage
300 homes uninhabitable
50 homes will be demolished
Recovery cost the city $17 million
FEMA is doing a better job however inspectors complicate the situation
-The Fort Myers High School Band will perform at the New Year’s Day parade in London, England.
BUPAC annual member dues are due in January 2023
Meeting adjourned
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 AM.
Respectfully submitted
Charles Moore
Secretary