It does not take long to figure out that in Islamorada there are two clearly defined entities. These two sides are on a collision course.
This week’s concern: Does anyone really care about trying to fix the high cost of living? Even just small bites?
A couple weeks ago I reported: property taxes in Islamorada have increased 58.2% in the last 5 years, from $11,544,900 in 2020-21 to $18,264,500 in the current 2025-26 budget and yet the population has decreased slightly.
I submit that the Village spends more because we have more money to spend as property values escalate and the millage rate is not reduced.
It is not monopoly money, it’s our tax dollars. Our budget process continues to be shrouded in non-layman’s terms. You can’t question what you can’t understand. That is an old government practice.
How about a novel idea of returning some money to taxpayers. Re-assess your programs and identify programs and persons who have either completed their tasks or programs have been overcome by events.
Begin here:
Competitive bidding is intended to keep costs low, creating a process that promotes selection of the most qualified suppliers, protecting taxpayers from extravagance, favoritism, and fraud.
We have been ignoring and or coming up with ways to avoid this process for years.
We are addicted to favoritism and extravagance.
Some officials have labeled the Village “a town of rich people.” They have no idea about what residents have to do just to survive economically.
In the Village “Purchasing and Procurement Manual,” we are directed to comply with competitive bid requirements. In the current budget we anticipate receiving over $12.5 million in grants, all requiring competitive bidding. We are obligated to comply.
Is there in-house punishment for failure to follow rules? Anyone? I think not.
In 2025, competitive bidding was waived by the Village Council a couple dozen times! And even when there is competitive bidding, is the selection process fair or are they able to play favorites?
I caution Council to play by their own rules and stringently apply competitive bidding procedures to our expenditures. We have not done this in good faith.
I strongly support a Florida DOGE analysis for a Village that has not been truly analyzed for a quarter of a century. Common sense.
Tuesday night the Village will amend the Village procurement policy manual to add FDOT competitive bid requirements that follow F.S. 287.057 – competitive bidding required for all services over $35,000. It has always been required! This is a reminder.
We believe that competitive bidding goes a long way in assuring the best services for our community and the taxpayers who fund them.
Can the Council, Manager and general counsel assure that competitive bid requirements are being adhered to when applying for state and federal grants?
It is their job and their promise to govern for the “greater good.”
Elections have consequences.
Tom Raffanello
