Cape spent millions on equipment that was never used
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Fox 4's John Rupolo Investigates Video by fox4now.com
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. - An ad on Govdeals.com advertises bio solid waste processing equipment being sold by the city of Cape Coral for over 2 million dollars but flashback to 2006. This equipment was purchased with your money for nearly 15 million dollars and never used. We asked Cape Councilman Chris Leetz about it.
"It's a waste of taxpayer dollars," said Leetz.
The ad itself reads, "due to unforseen circumstances, it was unable to be put into service." According to city officials, the equipment has been sitting somewhere on the grounds of the North Cape water treatment plant for years. So, why did the Cape pay millions for solid waste disposal equipment that was never used?
"We purchased the equipment prior to having a building developed and constructed for it's use," said Leetz.
It all happened during the Terry Stewart administration and a different city council. The city had planned to build a 46 million dollar solid waste disposal facility but months later they found a cheaper way to process and dispose of solid waste by partnering with Lee County. Cape Mayor John Sullivan says former city officials lacked proper planning.
"They didn't think it out they were spending money at that time hand over fist like a bunch of drunken sailors," said Sullivan.
But Cape City Councilman Marty McClain looks at it differently. He says with the Cape expected to experience growth, he thinks that 46 million dollar solid waste plant should have been build back in 2006.
"The city had to be pro-active and now it's easy to sit back and point fingers," said McClain.
City administration had no comment.
JOHN RUPOLO
FOX 4 NEWS
Govdeals.com ad for Cape Coral bio solid waste processing equipment
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