From the desk of Commissioner Burt Saunders

Welcome to District 3

I hope this communication finds you well and that you will find the information provided both timely and useful. Topics are generally selected based on current initiatives being reviewed and addressed by the BCC or major projects or initiatives impacting residents of District 3 or greater Collier County. Future newsletter editions will contain new and updated information about projects, events and government operations within Collier County. I welcome your interest and feedback and hope you will share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. Please continue to be careful and stay safe. Thank you for helping to make Collier County a great place to live, work and play.

Town Hall

Collier County Commissioner Burt Saunders, District 3, invites residents of Collier County to participate in a Virtual District 3 Town Hall on Thursday, March 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Residents may log in to the meeting by clicking on this link that will be broadcast from the Board of County Commissioners Chambers in the Collier County Government Center. Residents will hear directly from the Commissioner and staff about what is happening in the district and countywide. Commissioner Saunders will provide opening remarks and introduce key members of the County administrative team who will share updates regarding major current projects and initiatives.

Essential Workforce housing

A referendum increasing the sales tax from 6% to 7% was approved by voters on November 6, 2018. A total of $20 million is available through the seven-year sales tax initiative to fund workforce housing in Collier County. On October 22, 2019, the County Commission approved the establishment of a Non-Profit Community Land Trust. The Community Foundation of Collier County in conjunction with the Schultz Foundation and Moorings Park earmarked significant grant funding for the development of a workforce and senior housing.

At the December 10, 2019 meeting the Commission directed County staff to develop an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) seeking a vendor that could provide workforce and senior housing on approximately 20-30 acres at the Golden Gate Golf Course. The selected firm is expected to manage the facility without County subsidy.

The ITN included the following key elements:
Workforce and senior housing with targeted renters having income equivalent to 30-80% of area median income
400 rental workforce senior housing units (potentially more, if space allows)
Provide a minimum of 10% of units identified for seniors and veterans. Consideration for those with special needs will be viewed favorably.
Workforce units would be reserved for Essential Services employees and their families such as teachers, firefighters, sheriff’s officers, nurses, and EMTs.
Variety of rental unit sizes including studio, one, two and three bedroom units.
A design that is compatible with the community and the surrounding neighbors.