The latest from Marco Island, Collier County: public safety, courts, local government, schools, business and the cost of living. Every story names its source and links the record.
Marco Island
The NTSB says inadequate fuel planning led to fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power before a Cessna 150 made a forced landing near Marco Island Executive Airport in April.
Marco Island's fiscal 2027 budget is now in effect with an approximately $34.3 million General Fund, a 1.2670 mill tax rate and 6 percent raises for police and fire rescue employees.
Marco Island has no official city cost index. Federal data put median gross rent at $1,990 and median home value at $896,300, while nearly half of all housing units are reserved for seasonal use. Current city tax and utility schedules add the local charges.
A National Weather Service statement for 45 to 50 mph wind gusts across parts of Collier County expired at 10:45 a.m. Thursday.
Florida Highway Patrol has reclassified the crash at North Collier Boulevard and East Elkcam Circle as a fatality. The complete roadblock has ended, and the live board says the inside lane is open.
Florida health officials advise against water activities at Residents Beach on Marco Island after a sample failed the state's recreational water quality criteria.
Jolley Bridge has reopened after a vehicle fire shut the northbound lanes. Marco Island police say all roads are clear and traffic has returned to normal.
Marco Island police say officers broke a vehicle window Saturday to remove a two-year-old who was accidentally locked inside at the Publix on South Barfield Drive. The child was okay, and one officer was treated for minor injuries.
Two Marco Island Fire Rescue firefighters and Brush 50 left for Palo Pinto County, Texas, on Saturday to work the Ross Fire. The interagency record puts the fire at 85,303 acres and 31 per cent contained. The departments expect at least two weeks.
An aircraft returning to Naples Airport called 911 after its crew saw what looked like a person at an overturned boat about ten miles offshore. Marco Island police and fire, Greater Naples Fire Rescue and Collier County Sheriff's Office marine units found it abandoned.
Collier County's second unofficial results, posted after Friday's recount, put the Marco Island bond question at 2,259 yes to 2,258 no on 4,517 ballots. Four more ballots were counted than on election night and the margin did not move. Certification is set for Wednesday.
Collier County has given public notice that its canvassing board is anticipated to order a recount of the Marco Island bond referendum on Friday, August 21. A one vote margin puts both a machine recount and a manual recount on the schedule.
Updated returns put the Marco Island bond referendum at 2,257 yes to 2,256 no on 4,513 ballots, a one vote margin. Collier County now reports all 67 precincts and all three vote types completely counted.
Unofficial returns put Marco Island's general obligation bond referendum at 2,251 yes to 2,247 no, a four vote margin on 4,498 ballots. Bonita Springs approved its 35 million dollar rail trail bonds 68.28 percent to 31.72 percent with every precinct counted.
Resolution 26-39 sets a tentative rate identical to last year's. The city's own certified form shows that raises 24.36 million dollars against 23.34 million a year ago, and sits above the rolled-back rate.
Resolution 26-21 puts a general obligation bond of up to 23 million dollars on the August 18 ballot, secured by the city's unlimited ad valorem taxing power and repaid over as long as 20 years.
WINK News reported a power line incident on Bald Eagle Drive causing outages across Marco Island on Tuesday evening, with fire and police on scene. The island's utility now shows no customers out.
City Manager Dr. Casey Lucius appointed Joseph Belardo Chief of Police effective Monday, August 3, ending a transition that began on May 27. The swearing-in is set for Wednesday, August 12 at 2 p.m.
Crews were called to the 600 block of Inlet Drive at about 6 p.m. Monday. Nobody was hurt, the flames were kept from spreading to the residence, and the cause is under investigation.
Marco Island firefighters were called to a high-rise condominium building in the 900 block of Cape Marco Drive at about 1:09 a.m. on Thursday, July 30, after flames started on the 25th floor.
The Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimates that Amendment 3, the homestead exemption measure on the November 3 ballot, would cost the City of Marco Island $1,074,700 in fiscal 2027-28, its first year of impact, rising to $3,396,619 by fiscal 2031-32.
Marco Island's median sale price sat around $1 million in mid-2026 on thin volume, and Census figures put the island's median home value at $896,300, roughly 2.7 times the national figure and well above Collier County as a whole.
Set at the county level, and it lands on every parcel in Marco Island.
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The northbound exit 80 ramp closure at SR-29 no longer appears on FHP's incident board. Earlier construction entries for both exit 101 ramps are also absent.
What it changes →
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The Florida Department of Revenue recorded a $43,830.16 sales and use tax warrant against Joe's Diner LLC in Collier County. The September 17 filing lists $34,984.46 in tax, plus penalty, interest and fees.
What it changes →
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The Property Appraiser publishes a mailing date of August 17 and a deadline of 5 p.m. on September 11. The Clerk, who receives the petitions, publishes 5 p.m. in the office or 11.59 p.m. online.
What it changes →
