Relieving the Burden of the Utility Extension Project (UEP)

The UEP is crushing families. Northern Cape Coral residents are facing assessments exceeding $32,000 per parcel, with total costs ballooning to $60,000–$100,000 over time. Delays and mismanagement made it worse. People who played by the rules are now being punished. That ends now.

My Action Plan

We move with urgency. I will lead a full-scale effort to secure every available federal dollar through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA programs, and all applicable funding sources. We will not leave money on the table.

Developers will pay their share. No more shifting the burden onto residents after the fact. If growth drives the need, growth pays the cost.

Working with Council, we will restructure remaining assessments to provide immediate relief: longer grace periods, capped interest rates, and enforceable hardship protections for seniors and fixed-income households. We will stabilize the system and give families breathing room.

We will identify and deploy every available local resource, including unused reserves and developer impact fees, to reduce the burden. Every dollar will be accounted for and directed where it delivers relief.

Execution will be disciplined and transparent. Projects will be completed efficiently, with strict oversight to prevent further cost escalation.

End state: a fair, controlled, and accountable UEP...one that delivers essential infrastructure without forcing families out of their homes. No one loses their home because of this project. Not on my watch.