Public Safety
“As a former law enforcement officer, I understand the importance of having a well trained, efficient, and effective police department. I have fought, and will continue to fight, for a department that is competitively compensated, well trained, equipped, and professional. An effective police department is critical to the life of our City.”
Fiscal Responsibility & Sustainable Growth
“We need to work smarter to find ways to reduce our spending, maintain a high level of service to our residents, and increase the reserve. We need to not only lower the millage rate, but help reduce what owners actually pay in taxes. As Mayor I will reign in tax rebates for developers that are constructing luxury properties and focus on attainable work force housing. I am not against growth, I am for smart, sustainable growth.”
Increased Property Value
"Our neighborhoods, along with our businesses, are the lifeblood of our community. We need to improve our neighborhoods so that property values increase, benefitting the homeowner, the surrounding community, and the City as a whole.”
Economic Development
“As Mayor, I will continue to fight for economic development. Small businesses create local jobs while keeping money local, making them crucial to a community. I am currently working with the City where we can provide start up space and guidance with the goal of a getting business to where they are operating out of commercial property, growing, hiring, and paying taxes.”
“There are pressing issues facing our City, and I look to this group of citizen advisors to provide insight on challenges and workable solutions in our community.”
-Mayor Kevin Anderson
Affordable Housing Taskforce
Leader: Justin Thibaut, COO, LSI Companies, Inc.
City Council Liaison: Teresa Watkins Brown - Ward 1 Councilmember
Community Members: Dr. Eric Appelgren, Gary Griffin, LaKasha Levatt, Larry Schoof, Tyler Sharpe, P.E., and Jason Teeters
Unity Task Force
Leader: Dr. Phil Phillips, Senior Pastor, Agape Christian Fellowship
City Council Liaison: Darla Bonk - Ward 6 Councilmember
Community Members: Marc Collins, Stacy Crespo, Dwayne Jackson, and Chantel Rhodes
Homelessness Task Force
Leader: Janet Bartos, Lee County Homeless Coalition Executive Director
City Council Liaison: Johnny W. Streets, Jr. - Ward 2 Councilmember
Community Members: Nicole Dillion, Jacques Thomas, and Bo Whitesman
Upon being elected, Mayor Kevin Anderson formed these three task forces, and asked a diverse group of residents to come together to address some of the issues in our City: Housing, Unity, and Homelessness. The directive was straightforward - come to the table with open minds, be willing to listen and share, and formulate recommendations for the City Council and City Manager that are realistic, actionable, and sustainable. The charge to the City Council and City Manger is to review these recommendations and choose those that they can move forward with to better the City of Fort Myers.
Since being elected as the Mayor of Fort Myers in 2020, Kevin Anderson has put the City first.
Kevin facilitated the hiring of a business-minded City Manager who will set a course correction for our City that will include fiscal responsibility, economic development, and professional management of the City.
Within the first 120 days in office, Kevin developed and implemented a plan to address homelessness and return the public spaces to the public. He cleaned up Lion’s Park by working with Lee County Human Services and The Salvation Army to provide transitional housing and services for the homeless.
He mediated with representatives of private complexes to recover thousands in unpaid utilities. He resolved a dispute between Lee County Administration and the Historic Preservation Commission, allowing for the painting and restoration of windows on the County Administration Building - while meeting the guidelines of the Historic Preservation Commission. Kevin also resolved a dispute between the Uncommon Friends Foundation and the Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club, allowing for the 2021 Holiday House to continue at the Burroughs Home & Gardens and Langford Kingston Home.
He coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office to join get Opioid Litigation - which will allow for access to $1.3 billion in funding to address Opioid Use Disorder.
He worked with the City Attorney’s Office to rewrite the City ordinance on panhandling. The new ordinance addresses the Unsafe Use of Right of Ways - preventing pedestrians from interacting with traffic.
Mayor Anderson also collaborated with the City Manager to hold a 2 day budget retreat in order to educate and assist the City Council in making informed decisions on the 2021-2022 budget.