FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
               (239) 335-2777

BOARD APPROVES CONSERVATION 20/20 CHANGE/SHERIFF'S HURRICANE EXPENDITURES

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 21, 2004) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners today approved the following items during its weekly meeting:

Sheriff - Approved $1.56 million of overtime costs the Sheriff's Office incurred during Hurricane Charley; more than $1 million is expected to be reimbursed by FEMA.

Conservation 20/20 - Approved a process change to Conservation 20/20 that will reduce the review time for land purchases by 1-2 months. Instead of a formal Board presentation after the CLASAC (citizen) committee recommends pursuing the acquisition of a property, County Lands staff now will simply provide a detailed memorandum to each Commissioner and not come before the full Board until a final purchase agreement has been negotiated. Commissioners asked that the memo highlight the property's owner(s) for the last five years and whether the CLASAC's vote was less than a supermajority - 10-5. The change is intended to speed the process because land prices are rising quickly and there is increased competition for a decreasing supply of land.

Topps Plaza - Requested that county staff research options for completing the purchase of the Dunbar Shopping Center for relocation of the Lee County Health Department. A liquor store in the plaza has a long-term lease that has been upheld in court and likely would require being bought out. The City of Fort Myers has agreed to match the cost if an arrangement can be negotiated.

Land Purchases - Requested that County Lands staff help the School District with trying to assemble enough property in Lehigh Acres for a school site through a willing seller program instead of eminent domain.

Affordable Housing - Requested that county staff coordinate a study, likely using a consultant, to determine a methodology or formula for assessing Developments of Regional Impacts (DRIs) for affordable housing impacts; asked for an update in six months.

Minnesota Twins - Requested that a letter be sent to the Twins congratulating them on their third consecutive division crown in the American League Central Division. The Twins spring train at the Lee County Sports Complex.