Wednesday, November 4, 2026
A dispute over Councilor Bonita Schwan’s allegations of online harassment dominated portions of the Marco Island City Council’s November 2 meeting, as speakers offered conflicting accounts of a recent court hearing and debated the boundary between protected speech and abusive conduct.
Meeting one day before the election, the Council also reviewed a resident survey showing widespread concern about the City’s direction. Other business included changes to police pension funding and projects involving pickleball, coastal restoration and tourism tax revenue.
Former Council Chair Greg Folley criticized the Council’s earlier decision to authorize City legal representation for Schwan in her pursuit of a stalking injunction against John David Boggs, who addressed the Council as David Boggs.
Folley said he attended the hearing and reported that a judge had rejected the injunction on First Amendment grounds. He characterized the case as an improper use of taxpayer resources and called for Schwan to reimburse the City. He also questioned why six Marco Island police officers had attended the hearing.
Resident Tracy Key, who said she also attended the hearing, disputed Folley’s characterization. Key said the judge explained that her legal obligations sometimes required decisions she personally disagreed with. According to Key, the judge nevertheless urged those involved to be civil.
City Manager Dr. Casey Lucius later directly rejected the implication by Folley that police had participated in a vendetta against Boggs.
“Our police officers are professionals,” Lucius said. “They only show up at court if they have a reason to show up at court, and they were not involved in a vendetta.”
Boggs accused Schwan of misleading the Council by reading offensive comments posted by other people without also reading his response condemning a comment about her son’s death.
“I provided no misleading information when I shared the account of everything that was taking place,” Schwan said.
Boggs concluded by saying he wanted peace and offering to shake hands. His remarks also included a warning that the Council’s response would influence what he did next. During the final public comment period, Folley suggested that Boggs might pursue legal action against the City.
The City’s 2026 resident survey drew 2,471 responses and revealed a distinction between residents’ affection for Marco Island and their assessment of its direction.
While 77% responded positively when asked whether they would describe Marco Island to friends or family as a good place to live, 56% said the City was moving in the wrong direction. Another finding showed 46% believed the City had declined over the past three years.
Managing growth and density, improving canal water quality, maintaining infrastructure and preserving Marco’s small-town character emerged as leading priorities. Respondents generally gave the City weaker ratings on several of those priorities.
Schwan highlighted another finding: 61% rated bicycle and e-bike safety as poor or very poor. She encouraged continued public input as the incoming Council considers safety measures.
Chair Darrin Palumbo said preserving the small-town character of 20 years ago was no longer achievable as the island approaches full development. “Now my goal is to keep the status quo,” he said.
Councilor Deb Henry said some resident requests reflected a lack of understanding about restrictions imposed by Florida law. She welcomed plans for public education to answer questions and address misconceptions.
“I would love to respond to so many of these people, just to set it straight,” Henry said.
Finance Director Marcia Saulo reported that unaudited fiscal 2026 results showed stable City finances, with spending generally below budget.
Water and sewer revenue finished 21% above budget. Water and Sewer General Manager Jeff Poteet attributed much of the increase to more accurate meters, along with increased usage.
Saulo said the Finance Department was working toward timely monthly closings and would add forecasts to quarterly reporting.
The Council voted 7-0 to advance a police pension ordinance on first reading.
The proposal would replace a fixed contribution percentage with the amount determined through annual actuarial calculations, allow the finance director to designate a representative to replace the city clerk on the pension board and spread funding shortfalls over 10 years.
Lucius said the change would reduce the risk of sudden, substantial payments after investment losses while preserving the City’s commitment to fully funding the pension.
The Council unanimously referred a proposed indoor racket facility to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for review of potential locations.
Lucius said pickleball representatives had presented a concept using the current racket center footprint and discussed raising $8 million to $10 million. The referral calls for consideration of alternative sites.
In a separate 6-1 vote, with Schwan opposed, the Council authorized staff and the City’s consultant to pursue Collier County cost sharing for the Tigertail Lagoon and Sand Dollar Spit five-year maintenance cycle.
The funding discussions would seek tourism tax support to supplement FEMA assistance and Hideaway Beach Special Tax District funds.
At the end of the meeting, Champagne offered details on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedication, scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, at 11:00 AM at Veterans Community Park. According to details shared at the meeting, the ceremony will take place in the area used for the farmers market and is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.
Champagne encouraged attendees to arrive early. Parking on Park Avenue will remain available until spaces fill, after which police will close the road. Additional parking will be available at the Lutheran church on Collier Boulevard, with two shuttle buses transporting attendees to the dedication.
Eight tents and approximately 450 folding chairs are planned. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs because available seating is expected to fill quickly.
The program will include music, military and political dignitaries, a keynote address, and the unveiling of the memorial, which will be covered by a parachute. Afterward, visitors will be invited to view the memorial, where veterans stationed beside the statues will explain the experiences represented.
Champagne encouraged residents to bring children, family members, and friends.
“We’re here to celebrate, honor, and pay our respects to the people who went to war, and all veterans, regardless of whether they went to war or not,” he said.
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