We keep you safe in Lee County, and here’s how
The health, safety and welfare of the public is the highest priority of the Board of Lee County Commissioners and we fund significant investments in both the Lee Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Services.
Next year’s budget calls for $315 million for the sheriff’s office, a $38 million increase for 75 new positions, technology upgrades and competitive wages.
In addition, the county is investing $16 million in four new ambulance stations in the central, southeastern, northern and northeastern parts of the county, as well as additional resources in Cape Coral, and approved 34 new positions last year.
As chair of the commission, I hear citizens’ concerns about building code compliance and illegal dumping. The budget we will approve in September includes four new building code compliance positions.
Relieving traffic congestion is an ongoing project that includes building new roads, adding additional lanes to existing major roads and ensuring optimal traffic flow optimization through traffic light control.
Two of the county’s top transportation priorities are likely to be a relief for many commuters.
The county is widening Alico Road and connecting it to State Road 82 at Sunshine Boulevard, creating another option for Lehigh Acres drivers to get to and from southern Lee County. This improvement will also relieve congestion on Gunnery Road, Daniels Parkway and Colonial Boulevard. And the Three Oaks extension north from Alico to Daniels will relieve congestion on other north-south roads.
Adding additional lanes to the soon-to-be-replaced Cape Coral Bridge and the existing Midpoint Bridge will ease morning and afternoon traffic across the Caloosahatchee River.
Transit continues to offer Mobility on Demand service in Bonita Springs and Lehigh Acres to supplement fixed bus routes.
And the county’s commitment to land conservation is strong. This Tuesday, the board will be asked to purchase a 41-acre parcel in North Fort Myers on Moody Road.
Finally, one of my primary goals as your County Commissioner was to revitalize the Lee County Civic Center and surrounding property for the county’s rural youth and 4-H organization.
The county held its first agricultural show last February, which also included maintenance of existing facilities. The excitement I saw from local children with their livestock and those attending the fair activities was proof enough that while this county remains one of the fastest growing in the country, we have a responsibility to protect the things that have made this area a special place to live.
I want to maintain that enthusiasm in the years to come and ensure that the Civic Center facilities become something we can all be proud of and an anchor point for our neighbors to the east of the county.
Rest assured that my colleagues and I will continue to work to make Lee County a safe and livable place.
Mike Greenwell is chairman of the Board of Lee County Commissioners.
