This cripples our cadre of informed voters when it comes time for local elections.

Groups like the Chamber of Commerce campaign for their favorite sons and daughters regardless of their managerial experience.

The 2026 legislative session in Tallahassee will clearly have a strong focus on Florida’s affordability.  Our legislators seem to be advocating measures to reduce the cost of living for residents.  Florida opened the 2026 regular legislative session with Republicans emphasizing affordability, taxes and fiscal restraint. Democrats dare not oppose this platform while it is the mantra for the midterm elections.

I would add a more strident position on the out of control insurance costs.

Eliminating property tax (except for schools) is one of the primary focuses for this legislative session. Our lobbyist provided an update during a Legislative Zoom meeting with the Village last Friday, including a property tax, HB 203. You can read details later in this newsletter.

It is a bill intended to give voters a voice. The concept of reducing or eliminating property taxes is controversial, with representatives from local governments claiming it could devastate their current budgets.

Here is a novel idea: Commission Florida DOGE to analyze our budget and heed their recommendations. That would be a budgetary reality check that is 25 years overdue.

The Florida League of Cities contends that it is local government that should control local property tax decisions. 

But think about it: Some local governments in Florida have done a pretty miserable job in controlling their spending.  Isn’t it logical to put Islamorada in that category?

Property taxes statewide have skyrocketed in recent years… 60% increase in 5 years statewide, far more than the consumer price index and the increase in population.

Look at Islamorada numbers. Property taxes have increased 58.2% in the last 5 years, from $11,544,900 in 2020-21 to $18,264,500 in 2025-26 budget. The population of Islamorada has actually decreased slightly in the last 5 years.  Why has the cost of government gone up?

The reason: Poor spending habits and a lack of self-scrutiny?

The total expenditures for all funds in Islamorada approved in the 2025-2026 budget - $65,461,709 – for a town of 7,013 residents!

Slight of hand accounting.

In September 2025, the current council approved a 9.1% increase in property tax this year over last year.  They were able to keep the increase at a mere 9.1% only because they reduced the fund balance in the general fund by $1 million. 

If the other municipalities in Florida are at all like Islamorada, it is logical that the state feels an obligation to step in!

Perhaps it is our fault as residents and taxpayers. We need to monitor our expenditures closer. We need, in layman’s terms, an explanation on obligations and discretionary spending… with an emphasis on transparency.

Don’t have cursory budget meetings just to say you had them. I repeat, explain in layman’s terms.  Take the initiative and propose cuts to programs and positions overcome by events.

At the 1^st budget hearing for our current budget on 9/4/25, the meeting lasted 30 minutes to approve property taxes of $18,264,500 for a Village with a population of 7,013!  And total budget expenditures of $65.5 million.

Just two members of the public spoke. The only discussion by council was about the cost of overtime and extraordinary sewer transmission line repair expenses blamed on the “troubled wastewater system we inherited.”  (We created this mess with poor management over the years).

The 2nd and final budget hearing lasted about 6 minutes, no public comment, no council discussion…. a unanimous approval of $65 million.

Yes, the council may have inherited some trouble. But 14 months ago you ran for council with pledges to fix the problems.

Well? Just more “you need me to fix this mess” rhetoric. Strictly, verbal pablum for the uninformed masses?

Let’s just look at one local spending concern.

Since the budget of 2020-2021 the village has budgeted to fix the wastewater problem that has resulted in major leaks in our pipeline to the Key Largo treatment plant – spewing volumes of raw sewage onto the highway at MM92.  $20 million in grant money each of 5 years that was budgeted and spent… a total of $20 million.  But not for a fix to the pipeline problem at MM92. 

This problem at MM92 remains a disaster in waiting.

For this year, the current council approved the expenditure of $4.125 million in Stewardship Grant funding to fix the MM92 pipeline/north Plantation Key pumping problem.  That was September 16, 2025.

Aren’t we now up to $14,125,000 total since 2020, allocated to fix a serious problem. And no progress has been reported yet. 

The council was told that this year’s $4.125 million was being budgeted because the Village is finally ready for the construction phase of the fix. That was September 16 – over 4 months ago.  Still we see no RFP for the upgrade design or for a contractor if we are in fact ready for the construction phase. 

What is the holdup? In 2023 the Village put out an RFQ hoping to find 3-5 qualified wastewater contractors to help our wastewater department with maintenance and repair jobs. Only one contractor submitted a proposal. Will he get the $4 million contract by default? Surely we will put out a very specific RFP for the MM92 problem. 

In addition, the council approved a $111,000 expenditure to hire an accounting firm expected to figure out how to assure that both the Founders Park Marina and the Wastewater Enterprise Funds can be self-supporting as required.

No update  there either. 

In December we hired a rate consultant to determine if our wastewater rates are accurately charging users for the volume of wastewater they produce.

The numbers for wastewater costs are tremendous.  I submit that this problem was created and exaggerated by poor management decisions. The current council needs to fix this asap.

In the military the slogan was. lead, follow or get out of the way!

Take the reigns of our government. We gave them to you, Council members. It is why you were elected 14 months ago. We deserve a report each and every council meeting on all critical areas of concern to residents.

Do we need state help with our budget? Florida DOGE was made for Islamorada.

Do the responsible thing and call them in. How can it hurt? It can’t.

Wastewater is just one Islamorada budget item that makes it logical for the legislature  to step in. Or perhaps there are ways that DOGE can work with Islamorada to create more efficient government processes? That is their mandate.

At the end of the day, Florida voters will vote on the tax reduction issue. We are obligated to prepare our village for what may transpire. It is called “vision”.

Tom Raffanello

Reducing property taxes is a primary issue this session. HJB 203 is getting significant attention. This bill would amend Florida’s Constitution, increasing non-school property tax exemptions by $100,000 annually for the next 10 years. On Jan. 1, 2037, it would fully exempt all homestead properties from non-school property taxes. The measure would prohibit local governments from reducing total funding for first responders below their highest budget level of either Fiscal Years 2025-26 or 2026-27.

The joint resolution requires a three-fifths vote of the membership of both houses of the Legislature for final passage. If approved by the House and the Senate and approved by 60 percent of voters during the 2026 general election, the proposed amendment will take effect on Jan 1, 2027.

Why Eliminate this Revenue Source?

Palm Bay Rep. Monique Miller, the bill’s sponsor, worries that local governments  use property taxes “like ATM machines,” with property taxes up 60% statewide since 2020. Miller hopes by reducing anticipated revenue from homestead properties “over 10 years, we will be giving local governments time to adjust to new revenue levels and empowering them to find responsible solutions.”

The bill reduces a source of local tax revenue but does not prohibit local governments from upping the millage rate to compensate, increasing the tax burden for non-homesteaded properties.

Many small-town politicians have spoken out against the bill, claiming it will cut vital services. 

Has our Village directed our lobbyist to fight this bill? Or could it be a positive here? The point of the tax reduction effort is to push local governments to become more efficient with residents’ tax money and thus to help make Florida more affordable for full time residents.   

Do we even know  the percentage of total property revenue that comes from homestead properties and the annual impact of an increase  in the exemption based on the current millage rate for each jurisdiction?  

The Florida League of Cities: SUPPORTS local authority over equitable property tax decisions that fund essential services like public safety, infrastructure, parks, and programs that define a community. Reducing or eliminating this revenue without a reasonable replacement would destabilize city budgets, threaten city creditworthiness, and undermine local priorities.

What - no ideas on how to reduce local government waste?

Islamorada saw a significant increase in expenses for this budget year: an increase of $4,741,452 in expenses this year compared to the previous year.  

in our Jan 12, 2026 newsletter, we suggested the Village needs to do a better job of managing the 128 Village owned real estate parcels.   There is no specific plan for the use of many of them. We highlighted a few … maybe someone at the Village was listening. There is “progress” to report.  Yes, but without public participation!

1. MM88.6 or more commonly called the Machado Property: A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued last Friday, Jan 23, suggesting the Village will provide a 99-year lease to a contractor willing to build and manage 16 deed restricted units on the property.  

   
   

   We are disappointed that specific details of the plan were not publicly discussed with the community and the neighbors first.  With current zoning 4 affordable homes can be built on each of the 4 lots.  

   
   

   Our recommendation: If it is determined that 16 units are acceptable and they don’t create an even worse traffic nightmare getting onto U.S. One, limit them all to 1 bedroom or efficiency units, probably the size most needed.  Re-zone lots we’ve marked 1 and 2 (on aerial below) to allow 15 affordable units/acre: 16 small units on the 2 lots would be allowed. Lots marked 3 & 4 can be left undeveloped, saving and improving the tropical hardwood hammock by removing the exotic vegetation and restoring native trees.

   
   

   Based on the Comprehensive Plan policies, Islamorada maintains a program to remove invasive exotic vegetation from Village owned lands and then plants native vegetation.  At the January Council meeting, a work authorization was approved with Conch Tree for invasive plant management. These two lots could be added to the work authorization to be restored to assure an improved hammock. Lot shown as 3 is waterfront with a seawall. A small portion that is scarified could possibly be used as a neighborhood park with some dockage.  

1. Church Property, purchased 8/12/24 for $3,995,000 with no particular plan for its use by the Village.  Shouldn’t we have a public meeting to discuss what to do with this major taxpayer asset?  

   
   

   What would it cost for repairs for a future use? If the cost is not reasonable and selling is the best option - market it openly.

   
   

   Problem is - we hear so many rumors! Are there already interested buyers and perhaps even a deal negotiated behind closed doors, awaiting a public vote for a decision already made.  We really hope this is just a rumor, not fact. A $4 million investment of taxpayers’ money necessitates serious public involvement not just a few phone calls and a thumbs up.

   
   

Click here

Good luck Buddy - now mayor of Marineland - the tiniest municipality in the state of Florida - 9 residents.

Property Tax Reduction: One of the key topics will be Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to cut or eliminate homestead property taxes.

House Joint Resolution 203 passed the State Affairs Committee Jan 15, with a vote of 16-6, just two days into the session. The bill, if passed, aims to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November asking Florida voters to approve increasing homestead exemptions by $100,000 annually for ten years, excluding the taxes for schools. A 60% approval by voters is needed to amend the Florida Constitution.  

In Islamorada property tax revenue in the current budget is estimated to bring in $18,264,500, almost 76% of the total general fund revenue.  However, only a relatively small portion of that $18.26 million comes from homesteaded properties.  

Based on the current millage rate, an increased deduction of $100,000/year would result in a reduction of $787 in taxes each year for a homesteaded property owner until by the end of 10 years most all homesteaded properties will pay no property taxes except for schools.

The gradual implementation over 10 years is intended to give local government time to find ways to reduce costs to compensate for the reduction in revenue.  

Village Lobbyists: GrayRobinson has joined up with Kate DeLoach of Southern Group to provide Islamorada with a local lobbyist.  Every Friday afternoon at 4 PM during the Legislative Session, the Village will have a zoom update with our lobbyists.  You can listen in on Friday.  Click here  

Summary list of County Legislative Priorities: Click Here

Florida League of Cities 2026 Legislative Platform: Click Here

No list of 2026 legislative priorities was located on the Village website.