THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER ELECTION JUST BECAME CITY BUSINESS:
The line on the map between Naples and Collier County does not protect us from the decisions made on the other side of it and the District 4 County Commissioner who represents us should respect our City Vision and defend our local authority.
On August 18, District 4 voters, which include the City, will choose between the two (Republican)candidates in the 2026 Republican primary:
• Incumbent Dan Kowal
• Daniel Zegarac, former city council president in Ohio and retired automotive executive
The Supervisor of Elections' official site confirms that candidate statements and financial information are available to voters.
Importantly, there are only four days left to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot. The deadline is: Thursday, August 6 at 5:00 p.m.
WHY DOES IT MATTER WHO IS ELECTED?
County influence on our City is growing. Given the difference in the city and county land codes, the growth in collier county, and now County participation in the management of our largest asset, the Countyimpact on the City of Naples is undeniable.
GROWTH – DENSITY – CONGESTION:
Naples has its own Comprehensive Plan, Zoning and Land Development Code, and has a unique and coveted City Vision. Collier County has its own Growth Management Plan and Land Development Code governing unincorporated areas.
We are not aligned.
The distinction matters because Naples residents areaffected by what the County allows immediately outside the City's boundaries and the cumulative pressure on traffic, stormwater, infrastructure, density, and commercial development.
How the Commissioner candidates plan to reconcile that and respect our City Vision is an important election issue.
WHAT ABOUT THE MONEY?
The City of Naples receives only 13.62 % of ourcollected property taxes for the City budget. The School District takes the largest percent – but of the combined City/County portion the split is approximately:
• City of Naples: 27.5%
• Collier County: 72.5%
This raises a very legitimate civic question:
If Naples residents and property owners contribute so substantially to County government, how much influence should Naples have over County decisions that affect the City?
It has long been discussed that our Interlocal Agreements do not represent a fair monetary contribution by the County. When the County uses City assets and resources our District 4 Commissioner must advocate for the County paying their fair share.
COUNTY PARTICIPATION IN CONTROL OF OUR LARGEST ASSET:
The special interests supporting House Bill 4005, developed by a legislator outside our County and supported by then Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, has defined it at the City Council podium as politically motivated; a response to City Council appointments to the NAA.
The result has been a shift in our local management authority of a City asset to one that now includes the County.
The new law changes the Naples Airport Authority from a City Council-appointed board to an elected five-member board chosen by voters throughout Collier County. Three seats must be held by Naples residents;two seats must be held by Collier County residents who live outside Naples; not just in District 4, in any District.
All five NAA Commissioners will be elected in aCounty-wide election where the County outnumbers the City by 15:1.
When individuals with power and influence can over-ride the citizens’ democratic process, the management of their own land, a Billion-dollar asset, removing localCity control, our citizenry should be very concerned.
Voters in the County Commissioner race should bekeenly interested in how these candidates view such a taking by the State; would they defend it; why have they not publicly denounced it to date?
Do the candidates have interest in more County control of other assets in our City?
WHAT THESE DISTRICT 4 CANDIDATES ARE SAYING:
Dan Kowal — incumbent
Kowal is a retired law-enforcement officer and Army veteran and has served as District 4 commissioner since 2022. His public positions have emphasized:
• public safety and law enforcement
• clean water and environmental protection
• infrastructure and storm drainage
• managing growth and its traffic consequences
• conservative, limited-government principles
• affordable/workforce housing
Kowal has been involved with affordable housing policy and has discussed controlling housing costs and managing growth as County priorities. He has been a participant in regional airport matters in his capacity as a County Commissioner.
In his 2022 candidate questionnaire, Kowal said growth in eastern Collier was coming and that the County needed to manage the resulting traffic, including better north-south routes to keep traffic from overwhelming east-west roads.
Naples Watch thinks controlling growth through sound land codes, rather than “managing” it iscritically important. Growth and Resiliency are opposing factors. Over-development erodes resiliency.Our representative must understand that in these critical times.
Daniel Zegarac — challenger
Zegarac's campaign is considerably more explicit about its platform. He describes himself as a Republican committed to fiscal responsibility, limited government, smart growth and taxpayer oversight. His campaign identifies these priorities:
• fiscal responsibility and government oversight
• traffic and infrastructure
• smart planning and responsible growth
• small-business support
• workforce housing
• public safety
• effective government hiring
• collaboration between Collier County and the City of Naples
He has made an explicit statement that “Collier County should work with the City of Naples rather than against it.” He seems to offer a fresh perspective that could benefit the City relationship.
Naples Watch would ask Zegarac how he would work with the City when the County and City have conflicting interests over land use, growth, the airport and the City's property rights.
Naples Watch would ask both candidates their position on local governance and protecting Home Rule. Why have they not taken a position on our City’s local authority being diminished by HB 4005?
Will our City Vision be respected by these candidates? Will they advocate for our local control or look for greater influence over other City assets?
What will each candidate actually do when the interests of a rapidly growing county (continue to) collide with the interests of a city whose land, character and quality of life are increasingly under pressure?
ONLY FOUR DAYS LEFT:
The deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot is:Thursday, August 6 at 5:00 p.m.
You can request one online through the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Vote-by-Mail request page or call 239-252-VOTE (8683).
If you are mailing in your vote return it promptly rather than relying on regular mail close to Election Day. The ballot must be received by the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. August 18—a postmark isn't enough. There is also early voting August 8–15, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
This is an unusually important primary because the District 4 race is a Universal Primary Contest.
Collier County specifically confirms that all qualified voters residing in County Commission District 4 can vote in this race, regardless of party affiliation.
Both candidates are Republicans, and there is no Democratic candidate who will oppose the Republican winner in November, so Kowal vs. Zegarac on August 18 = the election that determines who gets the seat.
The candidate who receives the most votes wins the District 4 County Commission seat; the loser does notcontinue on to November.
That's different from a normal closed Republican primary where the winner advances to face a Democrat in November.
ASK THESE CANDIDATE ABOUT ISSUES THAT MATTER TO YOU:
The Candidates can be contacted at:
Expect the elected to commit to supporting your values and our City Vision..
VOTE!
I agree with your comments and approach to this election and its importance to our City. Your layout of the issues and the candidates backgrounds is good.
We all need to vote.