To date the most significant recommendations for charter changes:

• Changing the term for members of council from two-year terms to three-year terms, staggered, and a term limit of three terms.  Note: This will result in some elections during odd years, at Village expense. There is confusion as to how many years this results in for candidates who have already served either 2- or 4-year terms or whether this is 3 “additional” terms, if referendum passes.

• If any vacancy on council occurs with more than 50% of the term remaining, there shall be an election held within 6 months, with an interim appointment made by the council to serve until the election is held and the seat is filled.

• Increasing the monthly compensation for Council members from $1,000 to $1,500 with a cost-of-living increase based on the CPI.

In addition to the changes approved, the committee agreed to not recommend any change in the charter:

• to the 35’ height restriction

• to change the council elections to “at large” elections with the top vote getters winning instead of running for specific seats.  

Suggestions? If you have suggestions for the committee, attend the April 15 meeting or send your suggestions to the Village Clerk (Clerk@islamorada.fl.us) for distribution to the Charter Review Committee.

Once the committee finalizes the recommended changes, the changes must be approved by council and placed on the Nov 2026 ballot for voters to decide.