City reports on resolution of poststorm market value concerns

The city of Sanibel reported that it recently received three letters from FEMA concerning the “just value” or “market value” of properties as determined by the Lee County Property Appraiser (LEEPA)

It noted that all other jurisdictions in Lee County received similar letters

On Feb 18, the city received a letter titled, “Sanibel Market Value Clarification Letter ” The letter recognized the legal authority the LEEPA has in determining the just or market value of properties in Lee Based on the letter, the city will continue to use the “Tax Roll Value Letter” available for single-family residential properties on the LEEPA's website at https://www leepa org/, or an independent appraisal submitted with a Building Permit Application, to determine the pre-hurricane market value of Sanibel properties (structures) The pre-hurricane market values are required to measure the cost of repairs to “substantially damaged” properties against FEMA's 50% rule

The city reported that the city council and city staff engaged in communications with federal and state delegation members, LEEPA, county elected and administration officials, elected and administration officials from other cities in the county and Florida Division of Emergency Management to resolve the matter On Feb 17, city officials participated in a call with FEMA and the others to reach a resolution.

The letters received by the city, with summary information, are as follows:

FEMA Sanibel Just Value Notification Letter

Dated Feb 14, the letter was not read by city officials until the morning of Feb 15 It was addressed to Mayor Holly Smith, but emailed to the city manager and city's building official/floodplain manager

∫ The letter called into question the methodology and consistency of LEEPA in determining the pre-hurricane just or market value of properties on Sanibel through LEEPA's “tool.” The tool referred to is the “Tax Roll Value Letter” that LEEPA provided for single-family residential properties following Hurricane Ian It is also used by the city's building official to determine the market value of properties and if the damage to a single-family r e s i d e n t i a l p r o p e r t y i s w i t h i n F E M A ' s 5 0 % r u l e Properties requiring repairs that are below 50% of their market value may be repaired Properties requiring repairs that exceed 50% of their market value must be brought into compliance with current floodplain and building code requirements This may include a requirement to elevate a structure

The letter also “strongly” recommended that the city not use the LEEPA tool in determining the pre-storm market value of homes The recommendation was in direct conflict with the definition the city’s Code of Ordinances (Section 94-127) provides for how market values are to be determined

∫ Market value The value of buildings and structures, excluding the land and other improvements on the parcel Market value is the actual cash value (like-kind replacement cost depreciated for age, wear and tear, neglect, and quality of construction) determined by a qualified independent appraiser, or tax assessment value adjusted to approximate market value by a factor provided by the property appraiser

∫ The recommendation would have required the city to use assessed values for structures provided by LEEPA, instead of the market value determined by LEEPA Alternatively, all property owners may obtain an appraisal from an independent appraiser to determine the market value of their structure

∫ The city supported the market values determined by LEEPA and questioned the FEMA letter, which failed to provide any specifics for its concern or recommended See MARkET vALUE CONCERNS, page 16

Household chemical waste collection set for islands

Island residents will be able to safely and responsibly dispose of household chemical waste leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals today, March 1

Hosted in partnership with Lee County Solid Waste, a household chemical waste collection event will be held from 9 a m to 1 p m in the parking lot of the Sanibel Public L i b r a r y , a t 7 7 0 D u n l o p R o a d Sanibel Drop off of items will an easy drive-through process available to all residents at no charge

It is part of an interlocal agreement between the city and Lee County to p r o v i d e r e s i d e n t s c o n v e n i e n t a n d responsible disposal of chemicals that might otherwise be harmful to people and the environment

B u s i n e s s e s t h a t n e e d c h e m i c a l waste disposal can call 239-5338000 to schedule an appointment for t h e m o n t h l y b u s i n e s s c o l l e c t i o n , which is held at the Lee County Household Chemical Waste Facility, at 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers.

T h e f o l l o w i n g i t e m s a r e n o t chemical waste and can be set out with regular garbage:

∫ Empty paint cans and dried paint

∫ Empty automotive fluid containers

∫ Small-engine equipment, such as pressure washers, lawnmowers, and weed eaters

∫ Small electronic parts, such as routers, mice and keyboards

∫ Small appliances

∫ Tires

The Sanibel School

in all grade levels for students who do not live on Sanibel and Captiva

For more information, call 239-472-1617 or visit sbl leeschools net