MONROE COUNTY, FL – In advance of Veterans Day, Monroe County is illuminating the Harvey Government Center in Key West and the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo green through Nov. 12 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military Veterans. Veterans Day is Nov. 11. The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties, raises awareness about the unique challenges many Veterans face and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist Veterans and their families.
Residents, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to participate by changing one light bulb at their home to a green one. “By shining a green light, we let our Veterans know they are seen, appreciated, and supported,” said Monroe County Director of Veterans Affairs Cathy Crane. “Operation Green Light shows that we appreciate and have much gratitude for the service and sacrifices of our Veterans.” In 2022, more than 300 counties participated in Operation Green Light. Counties and residents across the country are sharing their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight. For more information on Operation Green Light, visit https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans. To learn more about Monroe County Veterans Affairs and the services offered, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va.
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MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met today in Marathon to discuss the October regular meeting agenda. Below are some of the presentations from the meeting.
Conch Republic Marine Army and Solid Waste Recognized for its 5-Year Partnership Conch Republic Marine Army Founder Brian Vest presented Director of Monroe County Solid Waste Management Cheryl Sullivan and her team along with the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners with a lobster trap plaque in recognition of support of the grassroots nonprofit for the past 5 years. The volunteer group has removed more than 227 tons of marine debris from our uninhabited shorelines since Hurricane Irma and from decades of neglect and Monroe County Solid Waste has been in support of their efforts since its inception. With more than 4,000 volunteers, the group has collected 454,163 pounds of debris, 510 miles of trap rope, and 91 refrigerators. To learn about volunteering with the group, visit www.conchrepublicmarinearmy.org. Best of Marathon: Old 7 Mile Bridge – Best Place to Watch the Sunset The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognized the Old 7 Mile Bridge as being voted as the “Best Place to Watch the Sunset” at the Best of Marathon awards ceremony presented by the Marathon Weekly newspaper. The Overseas Railroad was built between 1905 and 1912 by developer Henry Flagler, and the 2.2-mile section of the Old 7 Mile bridge connects Knights Key and Pigeon Key. Years ago, through grassroots efforts and a memorandum of agreement between the FDOT, Monroe County, and the City of Marathon, the bridge was rehabilitated and reopened to the public on Jan. 12, 2022. “This is a beautiful linear recreational park stretching over the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, providing an excellent place to watch the sun rise and set,” said Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln. “The Old 7 Mile Bridge does indeed have the best place to view the sunsets in Marathon.” Best of Marathon: Marathon Public Library Branch – Best Bathroom Monroe County built a new, modern library branch in Marathon that opened in June 2021, and ever since, the Marathon Public Library Branch has been voted as having the “Best Bathroom” in the Best of Marathon awards presented by the Marathon Weekly newspaper. The library includes the traditional features people love and expect from their public libraries, like books, newspapers, magazines, films, children’s areas, story times, and many programs for all ages, but its bathrooms, which include the most modern, hygienic features, steal the show. “Come in and see our bathrooms, and also check out the wealth of other state-of-the-art resources and amenities available that benefit the citizens and visitors of the Florida Keys,” said Monroe County Director of Libraries Kimberly Matthews. Proclamation: Tuesday, Oct. 24 – World Polio Day in Monroe County Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates and the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed Oct. 24 as World Polio Day. Members of local Rotary clubs joined the commissioners to raise awareness of polio eradication. In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus and helped establish the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to immunize the world’s children against polio. Since the initiative was implemented, polio cases have dropped by 99.9 percent, and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease. Rotary has protected more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. The community is encouraged to wear purple on Oct. 24 and to donate to https://www.endpolio.org/donate to help provide much-needed operational support, medical staff, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents. ![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – Are you interested in obtaining grant funds to elevate, demolish/reconstruct, or sell your home that is below base flood elevation, at risk of flooding, or has flooded before with a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance claim? If so, Monroe County is participating in a national grant program known as Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) to help with the costs of elevating, or demolishing and reconstructing your home. Buying out your home is also an eligible grant activity. Mobile homes and condominiums do not qualify for the buyout program. Mobile homes do not qualify for the elevation program. This program is available to all Monroe County homeowners. Monroe County is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2023 FMA grant program. There is $220 million allocated nationwide for the program. The deadline to apply through the Monroe County application process will close Nov. 15, 2023. This is a federal program administered by the State of Florida in partnership with Monroe County; therefore, it can be a timely process with slow turnaround times to move forward with projects. If you have any questions, contact program administrator Mike Lalbachan at 305-453-8796 or visit the program website at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/fma. UPPER KEYS, FL – New toll rates on Card Sound Road will be effective on Oct. 1, 2023. The toll adjustment is following the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.
Sunpass
Toll-By-Plate
The toll is completely electronic using Toll-By-Plate, SunPass, or another highway pass like E-Pass or EZ-Pass. No cash is accepted at the toll. The toll helps fund road maintenance costs and future repair and replacement of the five bridges along Card Sound Road. Two discount programs are available for drivers with a two-axle vehicle and a good-standing SunPass account.
For more information on the toll and discount programs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/cardsoundtoll. ![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners met today to finalize the proposed $667 million Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget. The budget includes the Board of County Commissioners, the constitutional officers, like the Sheriff's Office, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, and Clerk of Court, and other appropriations for the Tourist Development Council, capital projects, and reserves. Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi and Budget and Finance Director Tina Boan presented the budget with FY24 estimates of residential real estate trends, taxable property values, sales taxes, and state shared revenues, along with fund balance, reserves, and general fund. “We are a little county with big county problems plus 5 million visitors a year,” said Gastesi. “This budget continues to meet our increased service demands for our residents, sustainability for our future, public safety, and more.” With the finalized budget and countywide average property values, a homesteaded residential property owner with an average appraised taxable value of $484,735 will see an $11.24 monthly increase in their property tax for the FY24 year with the tentative budget. The taxable value is different from the market value. FY24 budget key points:
The budget will go into effect Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024. The Monroe County Office of Budget and Finance provides coordination and development of the budget. The award-winning office continues to work with inflation issues and Hurricane Irma and Ian impacts while providing for the department's daily operations, program enhancements, capital projects, and infrastructure improvements. For more information about the budgeting process, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/budget. COMMISSIONERS DEDICATE PLAQUE IN HONOR OF THE LATE SYLVIA MURPHY AT NELSON GOVERNMENT CENTER9/21/2023 KEY LARGO, FLA – In honor of the late Monroe County Mayor Emeritus and long-serving commissioner Sylvia Murphy, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners dedicated a plaque in the lobby at the Murray E. Nelson Government Center in Key Largo to her service and leadership.
“While we considered naming many things after Sylvia, she really would not have wanted even this,” said Commissioner David Rice, a longtime friend of Murphy. “But, she did so much for our community and the Florida Keys over the years, we would be remise not to do something, even small, in her honor. She is sorely missed.” The plaque reads: In Honor of Sylvia Murphy Dedicated Service and Leadership November 27, 1935 – November 26, 2022 A Champion of Progress and Community Monroe County, Florida 2014 – 2020 County Commissioner, District 5 2021 – 2022 Monroe County Mayor Emeritus and bestower of the “Honorary Conch” award May your legacy of dedication, vision, and tireless commitment to the betterment of our county inspire generations to come. Your unwavering leadership has left an indelible mark on our community, shaping a brighter future for all. With Gratitude and Respect, The people of Monroe County, Florida And all that knew and loved her! BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZES STAFF FOR YEARS OF SERVICE MILESTONES IN SEPTEMBER9/20/2023 Celso Hernandez, left, Kevin Cuomo, and Giovanni Martinez were recognized at the September 2023 Board of County Commissioners meeting for their 10 years of service to Monroe County. (Hernandez and Cuomo celebrated their milestone in July, but waited for the Key Largo meeting to be recognized.) MONROE COUNTY – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognizes its long-term employees for their contributions to the citizens of the County. See below those celebrating milestones this month.
25 Years
20 Years
15 Years
10 Years
5 Years
![]() Monroe County Library System’s Community Affairs Manager Nancy Klingener, Solid Waste Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel, and Cheryl Alfonso with the 16th Circuit Court partnered to bring reading materials to the Key West courthouse juror’s room. Tuschel will restore the supply in the nooks with retired books from the Monroe County Public Library System. Additional nooks will be coming soon at other public buildings throughout the county. MONROE COUNTY – Monroe County Solid Waste recently filled its open Recycling Coordinator and Outreach position with Melody Tuschel, who previously worked at Monroe County’s Cudjoe Key waste transfer station.
“Melody is extremely environmentally conscious and is really passionate about our recycling initiative,” said Solid Waste Director Cheryl Sullivan. “She is going to bring a wealth of knowledge and education to our County residents, visitors, and businesses.” Tuschel is completing her bachelor’s degree in sustainability and green resources, and her main goal is to promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Recently, working with the Monroe County Public Library System, she created a program to recycle older books from the library by creating reading nooks in public buildings where people can take a book they would like to read to keep or pass along to someone else. Some other projects she is working on include repurposing marine debris, reducing single-use plastics and Styrofoam, and pushing for more compostable items. “I think my biggest goal is to bust the myth that Monroe County doesn’t recycle,” Tuschel said. “I have been to the facility, I have worked at the transfer station, and if we recycle properly, we make a difference every day.” To learn more about recycling in the Florida Keys, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/recycle. ![]() LEON COUNTY, Fla. - Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Holly Raschein was appointed Chair of the Florida Association of Counties’ (FAC) Water & Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee. FAC’s policy committees are responsible for proposing, debating, and adopting policy positions focused on improving and preserving Florida’s counties. As chair, Raschein will lead her committee’s work, focusing on issues such as water quality, water infrastructure, funding, and resiliency. “I extend my gratitude to FAC for instilling confidence in me to oversee the committee leading 44 county commissioners to ensure our state’s water resources are prioritized in the upcoming legislative session,” said Raschein. The position is for one year. Throughout her term, she will work closely with FAC’s executive committee to develop and recommend a statewide legislation platform for issues within her committee’s jurisdiction. These platforms will serve as a guide in shaping the association’s priorities for the upcoming 2024 Legislative Session. The Florida Association of Counties represents the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that impact their communities. The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The Florida Keys To Experience Seasonal King Tides Through End of November, Take Precautions9/8/2023 MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County will experience seasonal high king tides through December. King tides are unusually high tides that occur several times a year, usually in the fall, that can cause coastal tidal flooding, especially in low-lying areas. Monroe County is monitoring unincorporated areas experiencing these high tides. Residents and visitors are encouraged to prepare for king tides, be aware of their surroundings, and avoid driving on flooded streets.
In coordination with the National Weather Service in Key West, the highest king tides are expected to occur
King tide reminders:
To find tides in your area, visit https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/map/index.html. (Put in a zip code, or city and state, and it will use the closest station data with today's tides as well as measured water levels.) Additional information on king tides can also be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/kingtides. |
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