Marco Realtors Round ‘em Up for Cowboy Party

The Marco Island Area Association of Realtors held its annual luncheon and trade show on September 9 at the Marco Island Hilton Beach Resort and Spa.

The election of the 2026 Officers and Directors was held at the luncheon, and the Silver Dollar Realtor Support Network (RSN) Awards for the first two quarters of 2025 were awarded.

City Manager Mike McNees was guest speaker. The City Manager touched on several topics of interest in his presentation: “What’s Happening in the City of Marco Island.” The Collier Boulevard/Barfield Drive improvement project has begun. McNees explained the improvement project will take approximately one year to complete and warned to expect the inconvenience of one or more lanes being closed. He discussed that one legislative priority is to seek state funds to increase water flow from canals on the north side of the island through to the south side of the island under San Marco Road. It has been identified as a way to improve water quality. Among the points of interest discussed was Council had just approved a contract to hire Black and Veatch to review four different technologies which could be used to treat the City's effluent reuse water. Further, to that end, the City’s efforts include bettering swales, getting a higher technology street sweeper, and opening culverts and drains. McNees explained that the City is in a pilot program to study aeration of the canals.

In explaining the recent millage rate vote by council, McNees used his own Collier County tax bill as an example, explaining to the audience that of his $5,900 Collier County tax bill, only $790 is earmarked for Marco Island. “Out of 393 municipalities in Florida, only 16 have lower millage rates.” The 2025 General Fund Expenditure graph was shared with the audience showing the Fire Department getting 26%, Police 19% and Public Works 11% as the highest percentage expenditures.

Everyone in attendance enjoyed the western-themed hoedown with decorated booths, and many Realtor Support Network members dressed in Western-themed costumes. There were games and giveaways galore.

Participating Realtor Support Network members included Law Offices of William G. Morris, PA, Select Lending Services, Gulf Coast Mortgage of Naples, Inc., First American Title, Kramer Kellerhouse, Chartered, Responsive Insurance, Robb and Stucky, Joe the Home Pro, Tenney Law, PLLC, Hughes Exterminators, Law Office of Sam J. Saad III, ITrip Marco Island, Hilton Moving & Storage, Paradise Coast Vacations, The Lykos Group, Twin Palm Inspections, Marco Island Video, Vacasa, FCI Homes, Huy Jacob, Dero Roofing, New American Funding.