Our community may have experienced two destructive Hurricanes within a very short period, but we remain SWFL strong and resilient. Through our timely crisis response mechanisms and the dedication of staff, life and work in Collier is back on track. As we enter this Thanksgiving season, we are truly blessed in Collier County and the USA. There is so much to be thankful for, including our families, friends, neighbors, and all of those who pull together to help one another, particularly in times of crisis. We are very thankful for our community. We appreciate living in a safe and beautiful state and county. We are thankful for our customers who keep us very busy. And I am very thankful for the best staff here at the Clerk’s Office. They are truly amazing each and every day. However, we’d still like to remind the community to stay vigilant and beware of post-hurricane scams offering storm-related repairs or tree removal services, promising emergency grant funds, or alleging charitable intentions in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Milton. More information on protecting yourself from these scams is in our November newsletter.
Several project discussions that were postponed due to the Hurricane were tackled during the October 22 Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Meeting, including the Mattson development, with 150 multifamily rental units at Vanderbilt Residential Subdistrict and Phase 3 of the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, which were both approved by the Board. I have expressed concerns regarding increased density while 3,573 approved ‘affordable’ and other housing units that have been approved are still unbuilt or currently under construction. On the other hand, lack of funding specifications and identified debt repayment sources, remain a significant concern in the ongoing development of the Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
The budget formulation, adoption, and execution in Collier County are crucial processes that involve the year-round interaction of many people at various levels within the County. This process aims to identify service needs, develop strategies to meet those needs and develop detailed revenue and expenditure estimates to carry out the financial plan. We provided an in-depth explanation of the County’s budgeting process and calendar to give you a better idea of how taxpayer dollars are being allocated throughout the County as well as the current status of the FY 2025 Budget. Your understanding and involvement in this process are key to our community’s financial health.
One cause of passport processing delays is unacceptable passport photos, which do not meet the U.S. Department of State guidelines. These delays can cause you to cancel or reschedule your travel plans, wasting hard-earned money. Our office is pleased to introduce a new passport photo service to help expedite the process, avoid delays, and save you dollars. The photo service is priced competitively at $15.90 per applicant, offering great value as it reduces the number of trips back and forth to correct photos that do not meet the federal criteria.”
Lastly, I invite everyone to visit our booth at the 9th annual “Get Involved Collier! Volunteer Expo” to be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Coastland Center. We are one of the event’s official exhibitors, which provides an opportunity for members of the community to engage with local non-government organizations and government agencies, including our Clerk’s Office, to learn more about the services and opportunities offered by these organizations. We have prepared an exhibitor table that will showcase the roles and responsibilities of our office and how you can be part of the Clerk’s Office! Several volunteer and career opportunities are available for those interested in helping improve our community through public service.
We are looking forward to meeting you at our exhibit!
Read and download the full November 2024 Newsletter here.
