Freebee service came to Islamorada via the 2018-2019 budget approval of $80,000, with no competitive bidding.. and the service has continually expanded along with the cost and the grant funding without competitive bidding.

The Council voted this month to approve the 3rd (and final) round of funding for the current FDOT grant. This grant has been paying 50% ($276,700) of the $553,400 annual Freebee cost, while Islamorada taxpayers foot the rest of the bill. The service is available to riders free of charge. In November 2024, the council decided to “implement a charge to riders in the near term.” A minimal $2 charge per ride as proposed has not happened.  

Several years ago, an RFP was issued. A selection committee ranked Circuit Transit Inc ahead of Freebee.  However, Interim Manager, Kimberly Matthews, on loan from  Monroe County, declared the selection process fatally flawed, without explanation, minutes before the Council meeting at which the selection of Circuit was expected. She promised the RFP would be reissued immediately.  It never was.

And still 8 years since the initial Freebee approval in 2018, Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney has once more asked when the rideshare service will be put out for competitive bid. Nothing yet. Eight years and several million dollars in payments to Freebee with no competitive bidding. No rider fee. An important rideshare service for  those who use it… with many questions left unanswered.