Public safety is top priority in Lee County

The public’s health, safety and welfare is of the upmost importance to the Board of Lee County Commissioners, and we are funding significant investments in both the Sheriff’s Office and Lee Emergency Medical Services.

Next year’s budget will include $315 million for the Sheriff’s Office, an increase of $38 million for 75 new positions, technology upgrades, and competitive wages.

Additionally, the county is investing $16 million in four new ambulance stations in the central, southeast, north and northeast areas of the county, more resources in Cape Coral, and, in the past year, has approved 34 new positions.

As chairman of the Commission, I hear citizens’ concerns about code enforcement and illegal dumping. The budget we will approve in September includes four new positions in code enforcement.

Relief from traffic congestion is an ongoing effort that includes new roads, adding lanes to existing thoroughfares, and ensuring light timing optimizes traffic flow.

Two of the county’s top transportation priorities should spell relief for many commuters.

The county is widening and connecting Alico Road to State Road 82 at Sunshine Boulevard, providing another way for Lehigh Acres motorists to get to and from south Lee County. This improvement also will provide much-needed relief to Gunnery Road, Daniels Parkway and Colonial Boulevard. And the Three Oaks extension north from Alico to Daniels will relieve congestion on other north-south roadways.

Adding lanes to the soon-to-be replaced Cape Coral Bridge and existing Midpoint Bridge will help with morning and afternoon traffic across the Caloosahatchee River.

Transit continues to provide Mobility on Demand service in Bonita Springs and Lehigh Acres to augment fixed bus routes.

And the county’s commitment to land preservation is strong. This Tuesday, the Board will be asked to purchase a 41-acre tract in North Fort Myers off Moody Road.

Finally, it has been one of my major goals as your county commissioner to revitalize the Lee County Civic Center and its surrounding property for the county’s rural youth and 4-H.

The county ran its first ever Ag Expo this past February with maintenance updates to existing facilities. The excitement I witnessed from local kids with their livestock and just those attending for the carnival activities was proof enough that while this county continues to be one of the fastest growing in the nation, we have a responsibility to protect the things that have made this area a special place to live.

I want to continue that excitement into the coming years and make the Civic Center facilities one that we all can be proud of and can be an anchor for our east county neighbors.

Please know that I and my fellow commissioners continue to work to make Lee County a safe and great place to live.

Mike Greenwell is chairman, Board of Lee County Commissioners.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Public safety is top priority in Lee County