MICA Board Opposes the Current $23 Million Bond Referendum
On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Marco Island voters will decide whether to authorize up to $23 million in General Obligation Bonds for transportation improvements.
After reviewing the referendum language and recent City Council discussion, the MICA Board of Directors does not support the referendum as presently written.
MICA supports repairing Marco Island’s bridges and roads. Our concern is not with infrastructure investment. Our concern is that the authority being requested from taxpayers is much broader than the specific projects being discussed publicly.
THE LANGUAGE IS TOO BROAD
The referendum authorizes up to $23 million in debt, potentially extending for 20 years, backed by the City’s:
“full faith, credit and unlimited ad valorem taxing power.”
Yet the money may be used for:
“transportation improvements including but not limited to bridge replacements and roadway improvements.”
That is the central problem.
The taxpayers’ obligation to repay the debt is specific. The City’s obligation concerning exactly what taxpayers will receive is not.
The referendum does not name the specific bridges or roadway projects, does not establish binding allocations, and does not limit the proceeds to the projects currently being presented to the public.
THE COUNCIL DISCUSSION CONFIRMED THE CONCERN
Recent Council debate focused on whether the phrase “including but not limited to” could allow bond proceeds to be used for projects not specifically identified to voters.
It was argued that future projects and expenditures would still require public Council approval.
MICA respectfully believes that is not the same protection.
A future Council vote is not the same as a restriction imposed by voters when they authorize the debt. Public discussion of intended projects is not the same as legally dedicating the bond proceeds to those projects.
FIRST DETERMINE WHAT ACTUALLY NEEDS TO BE BORROWED
Before any project is placed in a bond referendum, MICA believes the City should first determine:
Is it truly one of Marco Island’s highest priorities? What will it cost? What money is already available? What grants can be obtained? What amount actually remains unfunded?
That is especially important if some projects being used to support the referendum are already funded, substantially funded, or capable of proceeding without new long-term debt.
The amount borrowed should follow the demonstrated need, not the other way around.
OTHER FLORIDA REFERENDUMS HAVE BEEN MUCH NARROWER
Other Florida communities have shown that bond referendums can be drafted with greater specificity.
Bonita Springs has used referendum language tied to a specifically identified capital project.
Miami-Dade County has used defined project lists and formal controls over bond-funded projects.
Miami Beach has combined identified General Obligation Bond projects with citizen oversight of costs, schedules and implementation.
Marco Island does not need to copy another city, but the principle is important:
Tell voters what they are financing, restrict the money to those purposes, and provide meaningful accountability.
MICA’S POSITION
The MICA Board of Directors does not support the current $23 million transportation bond referendum.
MICA supports necessary bridge and roadway improvements. But before taxpayers assume substantial long-term debt, the City should identify the highest-priority projects, determine their actual funding gaps, and present a narrower proposal with clear spending restrictions and financial safeguards.
Marco Island can invest in infrastructure without granting unnecessarily broad discretion over $23 million in taxpayer-backed debt.
MICA encourages all eligible voters to carefully review the referendum language and vote on August 18.
