Marco Island — In a dazzling display of fiscal creativity, the city council is on a mission to remind residents and visitors alike that paradise doesn’t come cheap — and they’re making sure everyone knows it.

First up: a brilliant proposal to slap tolls on the island’s two main gateways, the S.S. Jolley Bridge and the Stan Gober Memorial Bridge. Because who wouldn’t want to pay extra just to cross into their own backyard? The recent city council meeting served up a mixed bag of reactions—some residents happily ready to chip in for city coffers, others less enthused, but hey, variety is the spice of life.

Not stopping there, the council is also moving forward with a tentative property tax increase, as if soaring home values weren’t already enough to keep wallets light and spirits strained. The final vote is scheduled for later this month, promising an exciting new chapter for anyone who enjoys watching their tax bill bloom like a wildflower.

And just to really keep things lively, there’s a push for a new 3% fee on electric bills. Because apparently, paying for electricity itself isn’t thrilling enough — now residents and businesses get to enjoy an extra charge to power their lives and livelihoods. All part of the grand master plan to fund the city’s ambitions while making utility bills a little more… electrifying.

Amid the fiscal fireworks, life marches on: Collier County Public Schools reopen on Monday, August 11th, where the next generation of taxpayers will embark on their own journey toward financial enlightenment.

On a lighter note, the Marco Island Police Department invites everyone to their Bike Rodeo on August 16th, featuring skills contests and free bike repairs — a fun distraction while folks figure out how to navigate the new bike and e-bike ordinance without breaking the bank.

Art lovers can find refuge in the “Glazed and Amazed” Clay Guild Exhibition at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, where exquisite ceramics offer a brief escape from the ever-expanding fee schedule.

And history buffs will delight in seeing the world-famous Key Marco Cat—a rare, exquisitely preserved artifact—currently on display at the Marco Island Historical Museum. Because if you’re going to pay all these new fees, you might as well soak up some culture while you’re at it.

Marco Island: where crossing the bridges might cost more than a round trip to paradise, but hey, at least you’re supporting the arts!