Engage Estero Safety Council is made of volunteers serving as a voice for the citizens of greater Estero on safety and transportation priorities and issues. We advocate for related solutions to Village, County, and State Government organizations.
Road Safety in Greater Estero By Contributing Author, Mark Novitski, and Engage Estero Consultant. Everyone has their definition of what determines road safety or, conversely, what makes our roads unsafe. In writing extensively about Corkscrew Road, I have...
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comprtroller Kevin Karnes is now offering an alert notification system for Lee County property owners to reduce fraud. When you sign-up, if a deed, mortgage, or other non-Court official record is recorded in your name, you will be...
Engage Estero Environment Council is a volunteer group focusing on improving water and air quality and mitigating and eliminating the effects of climate warming in greater Estero.
During the weekend of April 6th, Engage Estero’s team of volunteers, organized by Julie Yellig, collected 360 pounds of bagged litter. A total of 2.2 tons of litter has been collected since the end of April 2023 (the end of last season), and an astonishing 10 tons...
by Mark Novitski, Consultant to Engage Estero. Mia McCormick, Advocate, Environment Florida, identifies why we need wildlife crossings: “Each year, animals at risk of extinction die when cars and creatures collide on Florida roadways. It is the number one cause of...
Engage Estero Community Health Council comprises health* and safety-minded volunteers who think about community health comprehensively with a common desire to improve the overall health of the citizens of greater Estero.
https://www.esterotoday.com/event/may2024/ RSVP
The facts Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 300,000 lives annually. Approximately 95 percent of SCA victims die before they reach a hospital or receive medical attention. How Can We Help Reduce This...
Engage Estero mobilizes volunteers in our schools, sponsors scholarships, and promotes the involvement of the community through announcements and public forums.
By Mike Wasson, Director, Engage Estero The Village of Estero Council issued a Proclamation its Meeting on Wednesday, March 6th honoring 39 Estero High School Students who were presented the Cambridge Outstanding Learners Awards. In his remarks, Jon McLain, Village of...
The Future Plans for our Schools and Students' Education in Greater EsteroBrought to you by the Engage Estero Education Councilby Mark Novitski, Consultant to Engage EsteroPrincipal Leslie Gunderson in her office at Pinewoods Elementary School behind a table full of...
Engage Estero believes the best way to get a community involved is to make sure they are aware of the issues impacting their future, and know how to impact those decisions before they are made. We conduct and publish original research and articles aimed at getting residents Engaged.
People are unsure whether they live within the incorporated Village of Estero, the incorporated City of Bonita Springs, or in an unincorporated area, especially for those living along East Corkscrew Road.
By Mark Novitski, Consultant to Engage Estero
May 2023
The table below summarizes which communities along East Corkscrew Road are incorporated and which are unincorporated.
|
Incorporated |
Unincorporated |
|
Bella Terra |
Corkscrew Estates |
|
Grandezza |
Corkscrew Shores |
|
Preserve at Corkscrew |
FFD Farms |
|
River Creek |
Kingston |
|
Stoneybrook |
The Place |
|
Wildcat Run |
Wild Blue |
|
|
Verdana |
Communities that are currently Part of the Incorporated Village of Estero
Click to enlarge.
There are several reasons why it is essential to know in which area you reside. For this article, incorporated means municipality (e.g., Village of Estero, City of Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach), and unincorporated means Lee County, where no city/municipality exists.
The Florida legislation that granted the incorporation of the municipality of the Village of Estero in 2014 followed the boundaries that Lee County granted to the local planning and zoning authority.
Since Estero was incorporated (2014) long after SW Florida zip codes were established, the incorporated Village of Estero encompasses parts of five zip codes. Those communities that are part of incorporated Estero are appended.
How do I know whether I reside in a municipality of unincorporated Lee County? Your property tax bill or Voter ID card are two ways to answer that question.
Those residing in a municipality will have an additional line on their tax bill (e.g., this tax bill identifies the Village of Estero) in addition to the Lee County general revenue line.
Property tax rates differ in unincorporated Lee County, the Village of Estero, and Bonita Springs.
Each home also has an assigned Fire District within Lee County.
It will determine who your elected officials are and who you need to contact if you have an issue that affects you.
Elected officials include –
Your voter registration card will identify a city (e.g., municipality) where you vote for your village or city council member (e.g., this voter registration card identifies the Village of Estero). The “City” block will be blank if you reside in unincorporated Lee County.
US Senators
(both represent all residents)
House Representatives
(represent specific districts)
State Senators and House Representatives (both represent specific districts)
Lee County Commissioners https://www.leegov.com/bocc
You can report Lee County road issues at: https://www.leegov.com/dot/requestforaction
Councilmembers represent specific districts.
You can register Village of Estero issues at: https://estero-fl.gov/request-for-action/
While Lee County Commissioners are responsible for all of Lee County, your municipal elected officials are responsible for within the Village/City limits. You must know whom to contact to address your local concern if you have an issue, complaint, or question.
If you have a package held at your post office, you need to know which facility to go to:
While your tax bill and voter registration card identify your Fire District, the three Fire Rescue Districts (Bonita Springs, Estero, and San Carlos Park) have reciprocal agreements for “closest unit response.” These agreements mean a San Carlos Park fire rescue team may respond to an event within the Village of Estero. A portion of your homeowner’s insurance bill is allocated to your assigned Fire Control District.
Where you submit your building permit is determined by your incorporated municipality, or if unincorporated, Lee County.
Each municipality, and Lee County, have different statutes. For example, Estero has strict signs, banners, lights, and display requirements.
Fire/EMS is the same (100%) throughout the county.
Schools are the same (52.5%) throughout the county.
Will this information change over time? Possibly! It is feasible for unincorporated communities to become incorporated if:
But everyone must be involved in our community “outside the gates!”
This article aimed to clear up any questions. Hopefully, it has not created more! Please stay involved. Stay informed and ask questions – it is a civic responsibility.
The county offers a one-stop search for information about your property at it’s Resident Information Tool. Enter your address and find out what shelters, libraries, bus stops, fire stations, parks, and more are in your area.
