GOV. RON DESANTIS SIGNS FY24 BUDGET THAT INCLUDES MONROE COUNTY FUNDING FOR CRITICAL PROJECTS6/19/2023 ![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – Yesterday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Fiscal Year 2024 State budget, including the full $20 million Florida Keys Stewardship Act and $5 million for land acquisition appropriation. In addition, the State funded $6.25 million for the Monroe County Emergency Operations Center being built at Marathon airport, $650,000 for the mobile vessel pump-out program, $1.6 million for mooring field development, and $10 million for a new Florida Keys artificial reef program. The State’s budget for resilience funding includes five top-ranked Florida Keys projects for road elevations and living shorelines. The budget also provides significant funding for programs that indirectly affect Monroe County, including Everglades restoration, Florida Forever, and affordable housing. “This is record funding from the Governor and delegation for protecting the Florida Keys,” said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi. “This included a lot of work put in by our Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson and her team in Tallahassee as well as Rep. Mooney and Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez. None of this would have been possible without their support.” Mayor Craig Cates is especially appreciative of the vessel pump-out and mooring field funding that helps protect the Florida Keys marine environment. “I am so pleased the Governor included critical funding for Monroe County in his budget,” said Cates. “This budget shows us the State is invested in our economic stability and the future of the Florida Keys.” The State Legislature enacted the Florida Keys Stewardship Act in 2016. This one-of-a-kind legislation acknowledges the importance of protecting the Florida Keys’ unique and fragile resources, including its coral reef, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Monroe County has secured $90 million in water quality funding since the passage of the Act, and Florida Keys communities use the funding to implement water quality projects to protect these resources.
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The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is hosting three Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Modeling Public Workshops to provide information and receive public input on updated hurricane evacuation modeling.
Hurricane evacuation modeling is based on population data from the U.S. Census and simulates how efficiently the current population can evacuate the area before a disaster event. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s 2012 Memorandum of Understanding with Florida Keys communities was informed by hurricane evacuation modeling and 2010 census data and established residential building permit allocations through 2023. Updated hurricane evacuation modeling and 2020 Census data will inform the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding. Workshops will be held at the following times and locations. All Keys residents are welcome to attend. Key West • Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 • Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Location: Harvey Government Center - 2nd Floor, 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West, FL 33040 Marathon • Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 • Time: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. • Location: Marathon Government Center - 2nd Floor, 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050 Key Largo • Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 • Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Location: Murray E. Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 To learn more, visit the Florida Keys Hurricane Evacuation Modeling webpage. Monroe County Offices Closed Monday for Memorial Day; Veterans Affairs to Attend Two Ceremonies5/26/2023 MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29. On Monday, Monroe County’s Veterans Affairs Department will participate in the Memorial Day wreath service at 10 a.m. at the Key West Veterans Memorial Garden at Bayview Park and is co-hosting with VFW Post 10211 a ceremony at the Murray Nelson Government Center at 11 a.m.
Ceremonies in Monroe County include:
“Memorial Day is the day our nation honors our service members who lost their lives in defense of our freedom,” said Monroe County Veteran Affairs Director Cathy Crane. “These men and women bravely made the ultimate sacrifice, and for that, we as a nation are eternally grateful.“ Memorial Day is traced back to the end of the Civil War and was known as Decoration Day, a day when graves of fallen soldiers were decorated in memory of their service. In 1971, Congress made Memorial Day a national holiday on the last Monday in May to pay tribute to those who died while serving in the military. For more information on Monroe County Veterans Affairs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va, or call 305-453-8777. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZES STAFF, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND ORGANIZATIONS AT MEETING5/18/2023 KEY WEST, FL – Mayor Craig Cates and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized several staff, community members, and organizations at the Wednesday meeting in Key West. Carlton “Papa” Howard was honored for 25 Years of Service to Monroe County, Dr. Jonathan Gueverra and Frank Dunne were presented honorary Conch certificates, Leadership Monroe received a proclamation for May, and the week of May 14-20 was declared Guidance/Care Center Week and May 15-21 was declared Law Enforcement Memorial Week.
Carlton “Papa” Howard: 25 Years of Service Carlton “Papa” Howard was presented with his 25 Years of Service pin at the May meeting. Howard works in the Parks and Beaches department. Dr. Jonathan Gueverra: Honorary Conch Certificate Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, president of the College of the Florida Keys, received his honorary Conch certificate at the May Board of County Commissioners meeting. He has been president of the college since 2012. His wife, Josephine, joined him at the presentation. Frank Dunne: Honorary Conch Certificate The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners presented Frank Dunne of Key West with an honorary Conch certificate. Dunne owns Old Town Fitness in Key West since 2010 and volunteers with Monroe County Correctional Facilities every Monday for four years. Being sober for 25 years opened his eyes to how fitness can help people recover or stay away from drugs and alcohol. He has donated gym equipment to the HOB and PAL gyms, works with troubled youth, and donates gym memberships to those needing a life turnaround. He also supports the animal shelter and youth organizations like soccer and hockey. “It is a true honor to have a person like Frank living in Key West and supporting our youth,” said Commissioner Jim Scholl. May 2023 Leadership Monroe County Month: Proclamation The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May as Leadership Monroe County Month in honor of the organization’s 30th anniversary. The non-profit organization has been educating county leaders for 30 years with the long-term goal of developing strong, dedicated leaders working for a sense of community throughout Monroe County. The organization has had more than 650 community leaders participate. They represent the Florida Keys business community, educational institutions, governmental entities, health care facilities and practices, arts organizations, and other professions. Leadership Monroe County Board outgoing President Chuck Licis-Masson and a few board members in attendance accepted the honor, including newly elected board members and Monroe County directors Cheryl Sullivan and Cary Knight. May 14-20 Guidance/Care Center Week: Proclamation The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May 14-20 as Guidance/Care Center Week. The Guidance/Care Center provides the full array of behavioral health care to the residents of Monroe County, including a 24/7 hotline, mobile crisis response, and community-based services at schools, jails, and the regional juvenile detention facility. Regional Vice President Maureen Dunleavy accepted the proclamation. The organization also provides residential mental health at The Heron, an assisted living facility for adults struggling with mental illness, an inpatient unit for detox and crisis stabilization, and the Personal Growth Center Clubhouse for adults. This year the Guidance/Care Center celebrates 50 years of providing comprehensive, integrated community behavioral health services to people of all ages. May 15-21 Law Enforcement Memorial Week: Proclamation The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners declared the week of May 15-21 as Law Enforcement Memorial Week. Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay accepted the proclamation. “Law enforcement officers steadfastly provide an extraordinary level of service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under often-difficult and dangerous circumstances,” said Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates. “Many law enforcement officers have made the supreme sacrifice for their communities. We pause every year to honor the memory of these officers and the officers who have lost their lives serving the citizens of Monroe County.” ![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will explore options to become a charter county in order to pursue alternatives to fund transportation and infrastructure pitfalls that will be forthcoming in the future. The BOCC gave preliminary direction to the County Attorney’s office to draft a proposed charter that will be the subject of future workshops and public hearings. The Commission took this step to explore revenue options only available to charter counties. The BOCC came to this point after unsuccessfully trying to convince the State Legislature to create a new type of tax to fund sustainability-related expenses due to rising flood waters and other climate-related effects. Unfortunately, without the support of Tallahassee leadership to authorize that new type of tax, the County did not have the option of asking local voters if they would approve that tax. However, the transportation surtax is available under current law for charter counties for a broad range of transportation and transit-related expenditures. As a non-charter county, Monroe County voters would have to approve a charter to take advance of the transportation surtax. Since the transportation surtax is authorized by current law, local voters could approve that tax without the permission of Tallahassee. The transportation surtax would function much like the current one-penny infrastructure sales surtax that has been in place for decades. In 2022, County voters approved extending that tax with over 65 percent approval. Experience has shown that roughly 2/3 of sales taxes collected in the Florida Keys is paid by visitors, so the transportation surtax would be expected to shift the majority of the cost of the transportation and transit improvements from local taxpayers to visitors. The commissioners said they have absolutely no desire to interfere in the operations of the municipalities in Monroe County and directed County Attorney Bob Shillinger to draft a charter that preserves municipal independence. Charters in other counties allow county rules to preempt city rules, but the BOCC expressed its desire that a Monroe County charter would not do so. For reference, Monroe County has many active road resiliency projects in progress and projects that will need to be done in the future, as well as bridgework that will need to be completed, other major infrastructure projects, and ongoing maintenance costs of existing infrastructure. Examples 1. Roads (active) ($36 million) a. Sands Subdivision: Current cost ‐ $22 million; available grant $8.1 million b. Twin Lakes: Current estimate $11 million; grants of $9.4 million c. Stillwright Point: Old estimate $22 million; design grant of $1.5 million 2. Roads (in the pipeline) ( $44.5 million + $1.07 billion) a. Conch Key: estimate $8 million; Resilient FL grant $4 million (50%) b. Winston Waterways: estimated $31 million; Hoping for Resilient Florida $15.5 million c. Big Coppitt: estimated $50 million; Hoping for Resilient Florida $25 million d. Remaining roads modeled to need work by 2030 estimated at $1.07B 3. Bridges ($68 million) a. Sugarloaf: design complete; estimated at $5‐6 million b. Similar Sound: estimated at $7‐8 million c. Card Sound: estimated at $54 million by 2030 Other Bridge information to consider: Sammy’s Creek Bridge serves 2 houses, Geiger Key Bridge serves 3 houses, and the No Name Key Bridge serves 42 houses with a replacement likely more than $20 million (it is almost the same length as Card Sound Bridge) Other Major Items ($24-$27 million a year) 1. TraumaStar ($53 million) ($4.5 million/yr thru 2038) 2. Still paying off sewer debts a. $12 million/yr thru 2025 b. $10.2 million/yr 2026 ‐ 2030 c. $9.4 million/yr 2031 ‐ 2038 3. 2014/16 capital debt through 2026 ($6 million/yr) 4. Seven Mile Bridge commitment ($0.7 million/yr thru 2051) 5. Increasing Insurance ($3‐$5 million) Ongoing costs of operations and maintenance of already existing infrastructure 1. 5% ‐ 6% of initial capital outlay per year (corrected for inflation) 2. Examples a. Plantation Key Courthouse and Jail ‐ $1.8 million/year b. Emergency Operations Center (starting FY25) ‐ $1.8 million/year c. Pumps on road projects will incur utility bills and maintenance costs d. In 2011, it was estimated that regular road replacement on a 20-year cycle would require $4 million/yr. In 2022 dollars, it is closer to $7.8 million/yr (using NHCCI from USDOT) KEY WEST, FL – Key West resident and well-known writer Judy Blume was presented with an honorary Conch certificate at today’s Monroe County Board of County Commissioners meeting in Key West. Mayor Pro Tem Holly Raschein and Commissioner Michelle Lincoln were honored to be in her presence at the meeting growing up on her stories like “Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing,” “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” as well as her 29 other books, which many are New York Times best sellers.
Blume has championed freedom for many banned books by working with the National Coalition Against Censorship, which fights to keep banned books on shelves. She has received many awards for her defense of free speech and battles against censorship. In Key West, she serves on the board of the Key West Literary Seminar and is an advisor for the board of the Key West Author’s Guild. In 2016, she and her husband, George Cooper, founded the independent nonprofit Books & Books at the Studios of Key West. She works several days at the shop, and after 50 years of writing, she enjoys meeting and talking to many readers and showing them some of her favorite authors. Her husband, George, also received an honorary Conch certificate many years ago for founding the nonprofit Tropic Cinema in Key West. ISLAMORADA, FL – On Saturday, Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein and Veterans Affairs Director Cathy Crane presented 100-year-old Captain Richard “Dick” Barnes, U.S. Navy, retired, a Mayor’s Proclamation at his birthday celebration with his family. His 100th birthday was Wednesday, May 10.
“Monroe County wishes to honor Captain Barnes on his 100th birthday with deepest gratitude for his service to our country and our Monroe County community,” said Merrill Raschein. “He truly defines why his era will always be known as the ‘Greatest Generation’.” Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Barnes applied to the United States Navy Aviator Program in 1942, and after his return from the war, Barnes served actively and in the Naval Reserve for almost 40 years. He was a Torpedo Bomber Pilot during World War II, an Officer-In-Charge Test Pilot during the Korean War, and concluded his career as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Reserve at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Barnes and his family moved to Plantation Key in August 1960, two weeks before Hurricane Donna hit. Locally, he owned Venetian Shores Fishing Center for 27 years, was a member of the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative Board of Directors, was in the Upper Keys Rotary Club, and was a founder and former commodore of the Upper Keys Sailing Club. As an active diver, a true highlight of his was when he raised and displayed several treasures, including a 3-ton, 22-foot-tall anchor, from the El Leary wreck of the Spanish Galleons. “He has lived a life characterized by devotion to his family, friends, hard work, honesty, humility, sacrifice, and honor, influencing countless people through his service to his community and country,” said Crane. ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ON BERTHA STREET AND FIRST STREET IN KEY WEST FINISHES5/12/2023 KEY WEST, FL – Monroe County’s Bertha Street and First Street Roadway and Drainage Improvement Project was recently completed in partnership with the City of Key West. The County’s work scope included drainage installation, roadway reconstruction, and rehabilitation. The City of Key West’s scope included sidewalks, crosswalks, landscaping cutouts, signage, traffic control, harmonization with private properties, and installing new water meters for the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.
“The project was challenging but successful due to the coordination and collaboration of the stakeholders, and a special thanks to the business owners and homeowners for their patience throughout the extended construction process,” said Monroe County Engineering Services Project Manager Debra London. “A drive down Bertha and First is a new experience with raised ADA-accessible sidewalks and new curbs and gutters. It is quite a different experience than just a few years ago.” Bertha Street was connected to the City of Key West’s existing Dennis Street pump station, and the First Street gravity drainage system was upgraded to prevent saltwater road flooding during king tide events. The County has begun a drainage study to plan for the future addition of a pump station to the First Street system to counteract the increasing impacts of sea-level rise and king tides. “The recent improvements should provide relief from the periodic ‘sunny day’ king tide flooding that residents have experienced in the past, but heavy rain occurring during an extreme king tide event may take a bit longer to drain fully,” said Monroe County Director of Engineering Judy Clarke. MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County and Monroe County’s yard waste contractor will offer free compost (nutrient-rich black dirt) to unincorporated Monroe County residents and cities of Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Islamorada, and Layton residents at the County’s three transfer stations on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until it is gone. Residents can fill one 32-gallon trash can or six 5-gallon buckets with compost. Proof of residency is required in the form of a driver’s license, utility bill, tax bill, etc. Residents are limited to one pick-up per household. You must bring your own shovel and be able to load the containers on your own or bring someone to assist you.
Monroe County’s transfer station locations:
“This program has been incredibly popular with our residents,” said Monroe County Solid Waste Director Cheryl Sullivan. “This is a great way to spruce up your backyard with compost generated here in Monroe County.” The compost is vegetation picked up on yard waste day throughout Monroe County and brought to the mainland. On the mainland, the vegetation goes through a breakdown process to turn the yard waste into compost given away at the transfer stations. FUN FACTS ABOUT THE COMPOST PROCESS:
BIG PINE KEY, FL – The Monroe County Permitting Office on Big Pine Key that was operating from the Monroe County Public Library Big Pine Key branch will reopen at 179 Key Deer Blvd, next to the UPS Store in the Winn-Dixie Shopping Plaza on Wednesday, May 10. Office hours will be Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For permitting information, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/permitting. |
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