FloridaVoters would decide whether to merge two Lee County fire districts
Lee County voters in both fire districts would decide on November 3, 2026, whether to approve a merger and transfer Fort Myers Beach’s assets and liabilities.
What it does
A voter-approved plan would merge the Fort Myers Beach and Iona-McGregor fire districts and add Fort Myers Beach territory to Iona-McGregor’s boundaries.
After an approved merger, a seven-member transitional board would run the combined district, and Fort Myers Beach’s assets, debts, and pension liabilities would transfer.
Voters in both districts would decide the merger at the November 3, 2026, general election, and both districts must approve it for the plan to take effect.
Argument forA single district could make it easier to coordinate fire and rescue services across the combined Lee County service area if voters approve.
Argument againstThe combined district would take on Fort Myers Beach’s assets and liabilities, including pension obligations, which could create added financial responsibilities.
More detail
The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District would merge into the Iona-McGregor Fire Protection and Rescue Service District, and Iona-McGregor's boundaries would include the listed Fort Myers Beach territory. The merger covers the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District and the Iona-McGregor Fire Protection and Rescue Service District in Lee County, subject to the listed boundary exclusions. The merger would occur only if a majority of voters in each district voting in the referendum approve it. The merger and boundary changes would take effect after approval in the referendum scheduled for November 3, 2026.
The Iona-McGregor board would govern the merged district, while the former Fort Myers Beach district's assets and liabilities would transfer to it. The temporary board would include Iona-McGregor's five commissioners and two Fort Myers Beach board members whose terms expire at the 2028 general election. The transition would apply only if the referendum is approved by a majority of voters in each district. Transferred liabilities include pension liabilities. The seven-member transitional board would serve from the merger's effective date until the next general election, and the listed Fort Myers Beach members' terms expire at the 2028 general election.
Lee County's Supervisor of Elections would place the merger question on the ballot and conduct the referendum under the Florida Election Code. The referendum would be presented to qualified voters in both the Fort Myers Beach and Iona-McGregor fire districts. The act would take effect only if a majority of voters in each district voting in the referendum vote yes. The ballot would ask about the boundary expansion, abolition of the Fort Myers Beach district, transitional board, and transfer of assets and liabilities. The referendum would be held during the November 3, 2026, general election; the referendum provisions take effect when the act becomes law.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-192Latest
- Jun 10Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 26ReceivedMinor
- Feb 25Referred to RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25In Messages
- Feb 25CS passed; YEAS 113, NAYS 2Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- Feb 10Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 10Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 10Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 6Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 22Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Ways & Means Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 22Reported out of Ways & Means Committee
- Jan 22Favorable by Ways & Means CommitteeMinor
- Jan 20Added to Ways & Means Committee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- 2025
- Dec 18Now in Ways & Means Committee
- Dec 18Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Dec 18Referred to Ways & Means CommitteeMinor
- Dec 15CS FiledMinor
- Dec 15Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Dec 15Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Dec 11Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Dec 4Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Nov 12Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Nov 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Nov 12Referred to Ways & Means CommitteeMinor
- Nov 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 5FiledIntroduced
Public SafetyGovernment & EthicsCivil Rights & Voting