Where have all the people gone? Without an audience in plain view, the Council seems to be able to spend taxpayers’ money as if it grows on trees.

In a 5 hr and 15 min meeting, the Council approved spending $6,447,000 in the “consent agenda” - with no discussion. In addition: $108,000 to hire a lobbyist and $92,000 for a heavy duty truck for the fire department that according to the fire chief will be used at least once a week.   After two quasi judicial hearings, just two members of the public stayed to hear Council speed through the remaining 25 agenda items. There just didn’t seem to be much interest on the part of the Council to govern.  And no interest by the public to watch.

We continue to work diligently to educate the public regarding local issues that impact quality of life, our fragile environment and our limited infrastructure. We continue to make rational suggestions. Is anyone in Village Hall listening?

It’s time to FIX our Wastewater problem! At the Tuesday October 7 Council meeting, few taxpayers were present to get a bird’s eye view of the problems with wastewater.  The Wastewater Fund is an Enterprise Fund, that is, it is required to be self-sustaining through revenue generated by the users. Unfortunately decades later we still use taxpayer money to keep it solvent. (10’s of millions of dollars over time). This needs to stop! At the Village Council meeting on October 7th, some of the problems were on full display   The Stalemate: There has been a 5-year stalemate between Islamorada and Key Largo experts. They have been unable to agree on a fix for the MM92 wastewater pipe breaks.  Islamorada sewage is pumped to Key Largo for treatment.  Village Manager Ron Saunders stated that Key Largo and Islamorada are finally talking to each other in an effort to solve this long-standing problem. Let’s hope so. In the consent agenda: Without discussion,Village Council approved almost $2 million for wastewater costs, some by ignoring competitive bidding requirements. Competitive bidding is intended to provide taxpayers with the best service/products at the best price. This $2 million on top of $4.5 million approved last month to fix leaks at MM92 that have continued since 2019. How is this possible and considered business as usual. We elect people to solve problems, not to feed the problem our tax money.   Let’s talk about EDUs (Equivalent Dwelling Unit) - the measurement used to bill users for wastewater. It was first calculated in about 2006  - as a means of distributing wastewater costs for residential and commercial uses. All residential dwellings that are individually billed (single family homes, mobile homes, etc.), no matter the size, are assigned 1 EDU.  Commercial properties and others are assigned a number of EDUs as a multiple of 157 ga//day of water usage.  Some EDU counts for commercial uses have not been adjusted for the last 20 years and need to be. The Oct 7 Village Council meeting had what they call Quasi Judicial hearings for two property owners appealing the Planning Director’s analysis as to the number of building rights on their properties. Our Planning Director’s research indicated there were no “building rights” for existing homes the Village has been billing based on EDU counts.   “Howell’s Trailer Park” is one of the properties that appealed the decision of the Planning Director, the property at MM82.9, a 1940s mobile home park, a bit north of the Islamorada Post Office. The Planning Director ruled they have 2 residential building rights and 3457 sq ft of nonresidential space. This property has been billed over $300,000 in wastewater charges for 17.21 EDUs  since 2013.  The Council partially approved the landowner’s appeal – granting him 8 residential building rights. But how can the Village bill for multiple residential EDUs for a dozen years at a cost to the taxpayer of over $300,000 and not recognize the building rights that created the EDUs? That does not meet the common sense test.  Look at the inequity between the 70-year-old trailer park and Sun Community, 5 miles north.

“Howells Trailer Park” MM82.9 Sun Islamorada MM87.4

Why the break for Sun Community? Anyone can look at the comparison between annual assessments for wastewater costs being billed at the huge Sun Community project ($7500/year) and what the tiny 70-year-old Howell Trailer Park is charged ($4400/year) and know we have a huge problem. Do you think that with all the unfettered development and vacation rentals that have overwhelmed our village and the huge wastewater deficits every year that the EDU counts and analysis needs to be updated? Of course it does. We are excluding significant revenue that needs to replace the tax money we feed this monster. And we need fairness.  It took over a year for a tiny trailer park and their expensive attorney to get a “slight improvement” through an appeal - not what they are undoubtedly entitled to. And no correction to the faulty EDU costs. Add to that: The Village should be contesting the fact that Sun Community pays $88/year for vehicle registration for 55 stilt homes on their property instead of paying property taxes for homes selling for over half a million dollars. And why should 90 transient RVs be exempt from sales and bed taxes? And apparently no EDUs for wastewater billings. Taxpayers of Islamorada should not be subsidizing Sun Community’s responsibilities. We have elected state officials to change faulty legislation. We urge the Village to utilize our lobbyists and elected state officials to make this right for its taxpayers. We urge the Village Manager to proceed with his analysis of our wastewater debacle and promote good ideas, regardless of where they come from. It is time!  We include a list of issues with wastewater EDUs. Click here. Remember, elections have consequences. Tom

The Department of Transportation has announced a scheduled $1.86 million landscape plan for the right of way of U.S. One from MM75.02 to MM81.44, most of Lower Matecumbe and all of the Fills to just north of the Greet Turtle. It is expected to take approximately 6 months to complete and is to start immediately.  Thank you FDOT.

Letter mailed to residents.

African dance choreographer, bucket drum, junkoo band instructor, Femi, will be at the Island Music School for several classes this week.

Femi is from Cameroon and has Native American roots.  She embraced music early, joining her family's band and Andrew Cacho's African Drummers and Dancers in D.C. Her musical journey flourished along with her academic pursuits at Bowie State and Howard University.

She founded Motherland African Drummers and Dancers, performed at notable events like the 1993 Presidential Inaugural, Dance Africa, and Ghana's "Year of the Return". Recognized with a Congressional award, she passionately educates and inspires through music.

The Island Music School, at 88975 Overseas Hwy, is offering a free music lesson this month.  Just imagine - your child could have a lesson with this exceptional artist.  

Txt or call Melissa at 305-339-6086, or email to islandmusicschool@gmail.com. Visit the music school website to learn more.

• Kindergarten - 3rd grade; Tuesday at 4:15 or Wednesday at 4:45 this week

• Mommy and Me session for toddlers up to 5 years old; Saturday at 9:30 AM.

1000 Friends of Florida joined 50 organizations representing civic leaders, conservation groups, and local advocates, sounding the alarm about the SB180, urging the Legislature to repeal the worst parts of this law during the 2026 session. Read the letter here.

In the Village Manager’s weekly letter to Islamorada residents, Ron Saunders, also voiced concerns to our lobbyists about SB180: “This bill passed last session and contained some late amendments that severely impact home rule and the ability of local governments to make decisions on how to properly manage issues that impact our residents and businesses.”

The consent agenda includes a resolution accepting a State Funding Grant Agreement with FDOT for elevating a 2,500 ft section of the Overseas Heritage Trail on Lower Matecumbe.  This portion of the bike path has been virtually unusable for a number of years and floods regularly.  The state grant is for $200,000 with a 20% ($50,000) Village match.  Ownership of the first 50 feet of U.S. One right of way, closest to the Bay on Lower Matecumbe, was deeded to the Village by FDOT February 10, 2005.

Typically the Thursday meetings are listed as Village Land Use Meetings.  Not this time.  Land Use issues were on the lengthy Tuesday agenda, leaving just two items for Thursday.

The two items: Approval of a trip for Vice Mayor Horton A baseball update on negotiations between the Village and the School District regarding a revised site plan for the baseball field and proposed agreements for the field’s use and maintenance.  (no tab, no vote, no public comment?) Below is the baseball field layout that is on the School Board agenda (Oct 7) for approval - removing the 2200 sq ft building shaded in pink.  No cost adjustment indicated. Original restrooms, concession, locker room not within work boundary.

Just when we think a meeting agenda is so jammed packed that it will last well into the night, the council rushes through item after item with little or no discussion managing an early adjournment.

The Oct 7 agenda has 27 tabs, 574 pages plus numerous reports. Many critical issues.

Several reports could have warranted a separate meeting or workshop:

• Presentation of the final Founders Park Master Plan by Miller Legg (what - no vote; no public comment?); The contract was approved June 11, 2024 at a cost of $175,750 and was to be completed in 9 months. The original project was to include all of Founders Park but planning for the Marina and baseball field portions of the park were eliminated with no reduction in cost or change in timeline.  

• A $4.5 million wastewater recommendation for a short-term fix for the MM92 pipe leaks to prevent further problems until a long-term fix can be figured out. This issue has been a problem since 2019.  Finally there may be a plan.  

Consent agenda - 16 items, to be approved with a single vote at a potential cost of over $6.5 Million. Competitive bidding was waived for 16 companies, including 7 wastewater companies and 9 fire rescue companies.

Fire/Rescue expenditures, consent agenda - $914,000.

Wastewater expenditures, consent agenda: $1,725,000  

Protecting U.S. One, consent agenda: Approval of $105,000 for Design and Permitting a Breakwater at Sea Oats Beach.  We wonder if a project largely intended to protect U.S. One and the major evacuation route for points south from future storm surge should be paid for and the responsibility of Islamorada.  Shouldn’t FDOT do this?  

Lobbyist Contract extension ($108,000) on the agenda - waiving competitive bidding.  Though not specified in the agenda, the Manager’s letter of September 29 indicates

Legislative issues of concern will be discussed at the October 7 Village Council meeting

Two Quasi Judicial Land Use hearings at the very end of the Council agenda, tabs 26 and 27 appealing decisions of the Planning Department as to the number of building rights on the properties.

We continue to work diligently to educate the public regarding local issues that impact quality of life, our fragile environment and our limited infrastructure.

We continue to make rational suggestions. Is anyone in Village Hall listening?

 We would like to commend Village Manager Ron Saunders for conducting a zoom meeting with our lobbyists to discuss Village priorities and concerns. Though actually the Village let their contract expire 9/30/2025.

The meeting with the lobbyists by V/M Saunders may be a first. In the past the Village has typically paid over $100K per year for lobbying services.  To the best of anyone’s knowledge, we have never given the lobbyists specific issues regarding our Village needs.

V/M Saunder’s list, enumerated in last week’s Manager’s Weekly letter, included clear priorities for the 2026 legislative session coming up in January:

1. Amending the 2025 Senate Bill 180

2. Potential of reducing or eliminating property taxes  

3. Exemption from paying property taxes on homes in mobile home parks (example: 55 homes at Sun Community Islamorada, MM87.5)

4. Failed 2025 legislation that would negatively impact TDC and may be back in 2026

5. State funding for local issues

 

 It is certainly time to get moving.  Almost 100 bills have already been filed for the 2026 State of Florida Legislative session that starts in January.

V/M Saunders has a solid list of priorities, however, we question why they have not been vetted and prioritized by the public and the Council.  Establishing Village priorities should be a team effort. It is called “representative government.”

We submit the following for your perusal:

• Property Tax relief (#2): Many taxpayers would love to see a major reduction in property taxes implemented statewide. The Village would be forced to truly scrutinize our spending (long overdue) of village tax dollars.

• TDC (#4): Not sure about V/M Saunder’s concern. The TDC revenue for Monroe County in the year ended 9/30/25 is approximately $60 million.  That funding is likely to attract thousands of new tourists to our overcrowded highway. It is time that TDC funds be used to support the communities who house the visitors. TDC funds should be modified to underwrite local transporation, affordble housing for service workers and local public safety measures.

• ·    Local project funding (#5): Wastewater again?

Scope of work in the GrayRobinson (our lobbyist) contract being considered, has wastewater issues at the top of the list of needs from the state. It is basically the same contract as the first contract from 2010.

Should we not update the scope of work to include new priorities? Wastewater, as an enterprise fund, is supposed to be self-supporting now.

We got funding for the initial central sewer system and now we need to figure out how to operate and maintain the system without continuing to expect millions in grant funding to fix our mistakes.

Click here for the scope of work in the lobbying contract. Who wrote and reviewed it?

Monroe County has a Legislative Affairs Director that helps establish the County priorities in conjunction with their various department heads. See the County summary of 2025 priorities.

The County has nearly all the same priorities that the village has. That doesn’t make sense. Our village priorities should be “village priorities”.

Would it not be common sense and fiscally responsible for the county and all municipalities to share lobbyist costs and work together to provide a list of common Florida Keys priorities with a handful of individual municipal priorities.

That would be called good governance.

Elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

Reply to: ICA.in.Keys@gmail.com

“Florida Keys: Where they name their streets after trees… and then cut down the trees.”

Anonymous