Dear Neighbors and Friends
As you recall, the area around the former golf course as well as the golf course itself were added to the Community Redevelopment Area in 2009. The reason for this annexation was to legally allow the CRA to purchase and manage the golf course, and to pay the debt on the purchase through the use of any normal increases in property taxes generated by our area that would go to the CRA and not to the City general fund. The CRA is not a taxing body, but just gets the increase in taxes that occur because of increasing values.
And, though the owners of the golf course property are currently in litigation with the City, it is still the plan for the CRA to ultimately purchase and operate the golf course.
Now, Councilmember Chris Chulakes-Leetz, the representative for our District 4, is proposing removing the area from the CRA, so that the tax revenue can be captured by the general fund and spent throughout the City.
I am asking you to e-mail City Hall to oppose any effort to remove the area from the CRA. The CRA undertook the preservation effort at the request of the former City Council, and this City Council needs to understand the will of the people is to keep the area in the CRA and to keep the plan to acquire the land and operate a golf course on the site.
Please e-mail the City at Council@capecoral.net to ask that the area remain in the CRA, and to commend the CRA for the continued good work it is doing in making South Cape a better place for residents and visitors alike. Also, if your schedule permits, please attend the City Council Meeting on Monday, March 26th at 4:30 p.m. when this issue will be discussed to show your support for keeping the area in the CRA.
Feel free to copy, paste and share letter this with your friends and neighbors.
Sincerely,
Mary
