Islamorada Community Alliance Front Page

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:08:05 GMT

Unfortunately, due to travel commitments and personal obligations, there will be no enlightening editorial this week. Can’t wait to get back to work next week!

Best - Tom

April 7 Council Meeting, issues of interest:

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:05:23 GMT

4PM - Litigation strategy meeting re: Ted Yates lawsuit. (The Village has exhausted insurance coverage of $100,000 and was notified future costs of litigation will not be covered by Public Risk Management of Florida.)

Regular April 7 Council Meeting:

FKAA new pipeline for Channel 2 Crossing - when current pipeline project is complete on Plantation Key and a bit north - the next project will be to place the new pipeline underwater at Channel 2, MM72. The Village will apply for a grant for the funding. No Village cost.
Boat ramp Update on the improvements to boat ramp and parking at Founders Park.
Fire Watch - request to increase pay from $30 to $50/hr plus administrative cost of $7/hour.Fire/EMS personnel costs this year are $7,581,326. Fire Watch costs are paid by event, not the Village. How many hours of Fire Watch per year is typical? What events?
5 Quasi judicial hearings include map changes from Conservation to Mixed Use rejected by the state on first reading for the Horse stables on Upper Matecumbe; several Administration Relief hearings and appeal of a denial of a vacation rental license.
Status Report - included this month

Don’t forget! Plates & Plans:

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:03:53 GMT

Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 11 - 2
Where: Community Center
What: Light lunch provided all welcome

Don’t forget! Plates & Plans: Community Planning Conversation. Mark your calendar for lunch with Village Planners - talk directly with them about what matters to you. No presentations.

Whether you have specific concerns, ideas for improvement, or simply want to stay informed about local planning initiatives, this is an opportunity to engage directly with staff members.

Affordable Housing: We’ve waited so long… let’s get this right.

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:01:03 GMT

The Village owns numerous properties that were acquired with workforce housing needs in mind:

Four lots, Woods Avenue, acquired 5/2017, for $390,000, 8 rental 1/1 units planned, status?
Island Silver and Spice, acquired 12/2021, for $2.75M, no plan yet?
Machado, MM88.5, acquired 5/2021, for $1.8M, RFQ in process for 16 units… Selection committee recommends huge South Florida developer.
Decision on Machado RFQ anticipated at May Council meeting

Between 2017 and 2021, the Village spent approximately $5 million for major land purchases for potential affordable housing sites. Properties are still sitting vacant.

In addition to the possibility of affordable housing on Village owned properties, there are hundreds of workforce/affordable housing units in the pipeline in the Upper Keys.

Much has changed from 2017 - 2021 when these lands were acquired that may impact affordable housing:

The Village citizen committee presented 10 significant recommendations that the Council directed staff to move forward last month.
An all-new Comprehensive Plan is under review.
Changes to the Village Charter are being considered.
Ordinances impacting affordable housing opportunities are in the works

Flawed Process?

The selection process itself may be critically flawed, with conflicts between the Village Purchasing Policy and Procedures Manual and the actual process in use.

Recommendation for Machado Property, MM88.5. A selection committee, made up of 5 members of staff, met last week to rank the proposals submitted by developers to do a deed restricted affordable project on the $1.8 million Machado property.

The selection is scheduled for the May 12 Council meeting, with the selection committee ranking the huge for-profit South Florida builder, ANF Group, ahead of the not-for-profit Upper Keys Habitat for Humanity, the only other proposal.

The Village plan according to the RPQ is to lease the property to the selected firm for 99 years: no rental income for the Village, for the $1.8 million property.

The proposals will become public on April 24 and more details will be available then.

We think any decision about affordable housing should be deferred until we have clear direction as to the real needs.

Last Chance! April 15 may be the final Charter Review Committee meeting.

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:58:58 GMT

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.

Anchors & Atolls: Ocean Adventures with Dr. Jack Grove

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:57:43 GMT

Anchors & Atolls: Ocean Adventures with Dr. Jack Grove

Florida Bay Forever invites you to an unforgettable evening of ocean exploration, storytelling, and discovery with renowned marine biologist Dr. Jack Grove.

Date:Friday, April 10. at Safe Harbor Angler House, Islamorada, MM80.5

Time: 6 PM – Meet & Greet; 6:30 PM - Presentation

Free & open to the public - RSVP (appreciated): Email: info@floridabayforever.org; Text/Call: 561-818-5341; Cash bar; free hot dogs, popcorn, and light snacks

Village Comprehensive Plan, Blueprint for Balance:

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:55:45 GMT

The latest draft from Able City East was received on March 11 and is available on the Village website. Click here. If you care about the future of the Village, get involved.

A Public Workshop is scheduled for April 29, 5:30 PM. Be there.

You can submit recommendations to the Village in advance or at the workshop.

Cheeca - For Sale?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:53:43 GMT

Have an extra $300 Million? Cheeca is reportedly for sale, or just another April Fools story? Click here for the history of the resort and latest status as reported by Key West journalist Ted Lund.

Application period for Village citizen committees is now open.

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:51:42 GMT

Appointments will be made at the Council meeting on May 12. Click here to see the list of committees and their functions.

Get involved! Pick a committee that interests you and apply.

April 7, 1890 - Birthday of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a woman extraordinaire!

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:50:10 GMT

Marjory Stoneman Douglas (April 7, 1890 – May 14, 1998) was an American conservationist known for her staunch defense of the Everglades against efforts to drain it and reclaim land for development. Her most influential work was the book The Everglades: River of Grass (1947), which made people realize the Everglades is a treasured river, not a worthless swamp.

She played a key role in the protection of the Everglades when she was 79 years old becoming an unfaltering crusader for the preservation and restoration of the Everglades. Her efforts for the next 29 years earned her the nickname "Grande Dame of the Everglades." It also resulted in significant hostility of agricultural and business interests looking to benefit from land development

Douglas lived to 108, working until near the end for Everglades restoration.

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance: Thanks for listening

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:23:25 GMT

Since its inception, the Islamorada Community Alliance has been dedicated to the premise that we are duty-bound to inform and educate our residents of the factors that may hinder the Village Mission statement:

To Protect the Residents' Right to Quiet Enjoyment of Life

To Plan for Enhancing Our Village Character

To Preserve Our Community; Its People, Natural Resources, Pride

To Provide Basic Services to Support our Quality of Life

I believe the ICA has been very successful, in informing and educating. This is underscored by the fact that the ICA weekly newsletter has a viewership of several thousand. We thank those who honor us with their viewership. We must be doing something right.

I want to commend the Village Manager for responding to some of our inquiries and suggestions on how to better serve our public. I submit that this is the type of governance that residents want.

Residents want to be heard from and answered in a timely fashion by our public officials (both elected and appointed).

At one point, the Village Manager related that so few residents attend Council meetings because residents are totally happy with decisions being made.

I see that differently.

Many people feel that the residents have given up, but I am convinced that many pay attention to the issues but shun the spotlight.

In my editorials, I have often been quite tough on the council, manager and staff. It is our responsibility to point out their actions and decisions – and associated concerns.

It is important to remember, it is not personal, its business.

A couple weeks ago it was lack of follow-up by staff and/or council that I criticized with a long list of pending items that need to be addressed.

Again, I commend Manager Saunders and staff for listing the status of 5 or 6 items from my list of 20 in his weekly status report. This is a good start and we encourage more of the same. It is important to keep residents up to date with the Manager’s “After Action” report. Why not have an up-to-date “After Action” report, on the Village website?

That would be real transparency.

We voiced concern that the Mission Statement was removed from the Community Center wall. We understand it has been returned. We appreciate the quick response.

We have regularly questioned whether the village staff, and particularly the Planning Department, understands and cares about what residents of Islamorada envision for the future of the community.

In an effort to remedy this, “Plates and Plans” an April 15 forum, has been scheduled by Planning. Bravo! This is an innovative effort to begin a dialogue between residents and the Village Planning entity. We hope lots of residents show up with great suggestions to make our community better. We encourage members of council to listen to fresh ideas as well.

Together our voices can be a lot louder and then they will surely be heard more often.

My thanks to the Village Manager and Planning Department for this first of its kind forum.

We encourage all the additional Village departments to do likewise. i.e. code enforcement, wastewater, public works et al.

It’s good business. We want a united Village with common goals.

Speak up residents.

Tom Raffanello

Plates & Plans: Community Planning Conversation.

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:21:18 GMT

Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 11 - 1
Where: Community Center
What: Light lunch provided, no appointment necessary, all welcome

Plates & Plans: Community Planning Conversation. Mark your calendar for a no-strings-attached lunch where you can talk directly with village planners about what matters to you. No presentations, just come by to talk about what matters to you at an informal, accessible setting designed to foster community dialogue.

Whether you have specific concerns, ideas for improvement, or simply want to stay informed about local planning initiatives, this is an opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers.

Bring your questions, insights, and perspective. Community input strengthens planning processes.

What type of affordable housing is the most critical need?

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:16:27 GMT

What type of affordable housing is the most critical need? An important question that needs a legitimate answer.

The Monroe County Commission has called for an analysis for Key Largo, Tavernier, Marathon and Cudjoe Key to determine what kind of affordable housing is most needed and where.

Why isn’t Islamorada included in this study? The county recognizes that they need answers as to the size of the dwellings most in demand, rental versus ownership, location, cost. Doesn’t the Village need the same analysis? The most recent Islamorada study was done in 2007 and focused only on the Village rather than including surrounding communities.

Monroe County purchased a complex with 18 one-bedroom deed restricted apartments in Key Largo 9 months ago. They’re having a really tough time finding any tenants.

Much of the workforce in Islamorada comes from outside the Village, often from the mainland. With the extremely high cost of living here, would they even consider moving away from their own community to live in Islamorada even if there was affordable housing available?

The planning staff has been directed to move forward with an extensive list of changes to our regulations from the Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee. These could change many limitations.

Islamorada put out an RFQ in January looking for proposals to create deed restricted multi-family rental housing at the “Machado” property at MM88.6. The village received just two proposals. The selection committee is scheduled to meet April 2 to evaluate the proposals.

The affordable housing needs analysis, required by our current Comprehensive Plan, is extremely out of date. Shouldn’t the selection of a contractor for the Machado property be deferred until an appropriate study has been completed? And until any recommendations by the Workforce/Affordable Housing committee are considered, along with any changes from the Comp Plan review and Charter Review?

There are hundreds of potential units in projects that are in the pipeline. The Village has waited for years to seriously address affordable housing. Now is not the time to fast track the process. There is a significant need for current facts and to study the real needs. No more depending on studies done a decade ago when times were so different.

Much thanks to the research and analysis of the local Habitat for Humanity efforts.

Click here to see their statistics for Upper Keys affordable housing and adjacent their Mainland Study.

Anchors & Atolls: Ocean Adventures with Dr. Jack Grove

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:14:47 GMT

Anchors & Atolls: Ocean Adventures with Dr. Jack Grove

Florida Bay Forever invites you to an unforgettable evening of ocean exploration, storytelling, and discovery with renowned marine biologist Dr. Jack Grove.

Dr. Grove will be sharing his incredible experiences from decades of work across the tropical Pacific. Grove has spent over 50 years exploring the world’s oceans, traveling to more than 100 countries and studying marine ecosystems from the Galápagos to Antarctica. A respected scientist, author, and educator, he is best known for his work on tropical marine life and his book “The Fishes of the Galápagos Islands.” Now based in the Upper Keys, Dr. Grove continues to inspire others through his work in conservation, education, and research.

Event Details

Date:Friday, April 10. at Safe Harbor Angler House, Islamorada, MM80.5

Time: 6 PM – Meet & Greet; 6:30 PM - Presentation

Free & open to the public

RSVP (appreciated): Email: info@floridabayforever.org; Text/Call: 561-818-5341

Cash bar; free hot dogs, popcorn, and light snacks

Village Comprehensive Plan, Blueprint for Balance:

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:11:34 GMT

The latest draft from Able City East was received on March 11 and is available on the Village website. Click here. If you care about the future of the Village, get involved.

A Public Workshop is scheduled for April 29, 5:30 PM. Be there.

You can submit recommendations to the Village in advance or at the workshop.

Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:09:51 GMT

Thanks to Nancy Klingener for providing info from the Wright Langley Collection.

March 30, 1926 – A delegation appointed by the Monroe County Commission traveled to the Matecumbe Keys to help find the best route for a new highway. Some Matecumbe residents feared land values would plummet if the planned road traversed their properties, and the delegates hoped to ease their minds.

Below: Aerial View of Lower Matecumbe Key, ca. 1920, showing the route of the railroad available from the Library’s Florida Keys History Center.

Monroe County Mayor, Michelle Lincoln...

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:07:25 GMT

Monroe County Mayor, Michelle Lincoln, has been traveling around the county providing a “State of the County” presentation. She was at last week’s Islamorada Chamber of Commerce luncheon. We hope she will make the presentation at the April 7 Village Council meeting. Click here for the report.

Guided walks at the Green Turtle Hammock: April 3 and April 11.

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:03:11 GMT

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:12:56 GMT

Many, if not all, Islamorada residents are aware that the Village’s “Constitution” is our Comprehensive Plan.

We have been without one for several years.

Developers, speculators, land use attorneys and their minions are driving trailer trucks through the loopholes that need to be remedied. Is this intentional or incompetence?

Draw your own conclusions but here are the facts:

On April 9, 2024, the Village Council gave direction to the Village Manager to seek the services of a professional consultant to UPDATE our Comprehensive Plan.

The Council approved the $112,000 contract with Able City East on Oct 10,2024.

They were contracted to Update the Village’s Comprehensive Plan, with a projected completion and implementation date in 12 months?

We are now up to 17 months for this 12-month project.

Unfortunately, it appears we are still months or maybe even years away from completion/implementation? Again, I question why? Our Village Manager and planner owe us an explanation. It appears that the powers that exist think that nobody cares.

Perhaps new development benefits from this slow walk.

Updated Comp Plan?Instead of receiving a draft with Updates to the Village Comp Plan, we have received an all-new proposed Comprehensive Plan from Able City. The difference between amendments that improve our existing Plan and an all new plan are like the difference between night and day.

Updates that must be approved by the Florida Commerce Department must be in legislative format with new text inserted underlined, and words that are to be deleted stricken with hyphens. (Florida Statute 163.3184 C3)

Even if the draft is considered a “brand-new” Comprehensive Plan, it is clearly intended to update the existing Plan. Just semantics.

Without the legislative format it is extremely time-consuming and confusing to figure out what has been changed, what new text has been added, and what has been deleted. The legislative format is intended to make that job easier. Without the appropriate formatting the review is next to impossible.

If the intent was to make the document easier to read and navigate I think the effort failed. Most residents would likely be overwhelmed by the task of figuring out how this new plan and the updates will change life in the Village.

Spell it out? Bottom line…Format the Plan correctly.

Other observations- The future land use map is too small in the draft and not legible. Every single property owner should be entitled to see how their property has been treated in a “new” Comp Plan. Haven’t we learned that from experience? Will every property owner be specifically informed?

During the creation of the first Islamorada Comprehensive Plan over twenty years ago, 18 public meetings were held, with standing room only. The public was able to thoroughly consider every Goal, Objective and Policy, every property on the maps.

Local land use attorneys still, after over 20 years with the current plan, find continuing obscure loopholes to help their clients beat the system. Here we go again, new plan, new loopholes!

To complicate things further: Senate Bill 180 that passed the legislature last year, bars local governments from adopting or enforcing any “more restrictive or burdensome” planning rules for three years after the 2024 hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.

That takes us until Oct 1, 2027 even though none of those storms damaged Islamorada or the County. Unnecessary and misguided, but, we were told, there was a legislative fix. Where are our lobbyists and Legislators in Tallahassee on the status of this issue?

Please explain? The legislative session ended without a much-needed fix.

The Village should continue the update process, with public workshops in the coming months. Now we have significant time until the fall of 2027!

Let me quote from the Able City East plan, page 228: “Public participation is at the heart of the Islamorada Comprehensive Plan. The Village recognizes that in order to build a plan that truly reflects community priorities, residents, business owners, civic organizations, and elected officials must be directly engaged throughout the process.”

It has been about a year since there has been any public involvement in the update process. Finally a workshop - April 29, 2026!

Who is in charge of this update? Is it the Village Manager and our Planning staff? Be transparent and embrace your constituents. You can do better. Our fear is that land use attorneys and their accomplices are getting more input than we are.

The draft contains 11 main elements, including areas like Future Land Use, Transportation, Housing, Conservation, Sustainability, Recreation and Open Space, and more. Each element deserves a separate public workshop.

When we finally adopt this new Comprehensive Plan, will it be in cinque with the prior Land Development regulations and other Village Code? Doesn’t that extend the process even more?

Village Council, management, State Legislatures and lobbyists: We await your responses. There are a ton of unanswered questions.

This important process has been neglected and poorly executed.

Step it up or tell us why you can’t.

Elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

Baseball License Agreement and Design Plan

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:08:44 GMT

for Coral Shores Baseball Field at Founders Park. And the Design Build contract, never approved by the Village. And so, the battle continues. Do you have an opinion?

Coral Shores is the only county high school that does not have a school owned baseball facility. The Village is property owner (bought with Village tax funds) and provided to the school at no cost. The School Board is funding the proposed upgrades just as they do for the other high schools in the Keys that are on school property. (School Tax funds come from Upper Keys taxpayers.)

The Village, as property owner, wants some say as to improvements, use in the off season, and maintenance, including the quality of the artificial turf. The School Board wants control over expenditures of the $5 million plus in costs.

The kids just want to play ball.

Click here for analysis from Jamie Engel (served on the Village Baseball Task Force)

Click here for analysis from Capt Ed Davidson (Fla Keys Citizens Coalition and former member of the School Board)

If the project is to proceed for completion for the 2027 season, deadline for a decision is apparently April 7 when the Village Council and School Board both meet, separately.

To email the School Board: SchoolBoard@KeysSchools.com

To email the Council: clerk@islamorada.fl.us

Thanks for the Trees, Florida Keys Electric Coop!

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:06:20 GMT

For 10 years FKEC has had their Annual Energy-Saving Tree Giveaway, offered in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. FKEC accounts holders received nearly 3,000 trees across the Upper and Middle Keys — adding shade, beauty, and energy savings throughout the community.

If you reserved a tree this year, pick-up day is Wed, Mar 25 in Tavernier from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Beyond helping lower cooling costs, trees provide important benefits for the entire community — improving air quality, reducing stormwater runoff, beautifying neighborhoods, lowering heat effect, and supporting a healthier local environment.

The Million Trees Project is the Arbor Day Foundation’s 2026 spring campaign, targeting the planting of 1 million new trees across the United States through individual, school, and community participation.

A single tree can remove carbon at a rate of 10–40 pounds per year in its first decade and 48–100 pounds per year once mature.

Enforcement of tree removals: With the tremendous value of trees to a community, it is no wonder Islamorada has strict regulations intended to protect our trees. The local concern is enforcement.

How troubling it is to see property owners ignore the tree cutting regulations and sometimes even “clear cut” (remove all vegetation from a lot) without a permit, to facilitate ease of development. If caught, the mitigation cost is likely inconsequential to a property owner building a multi-million-dollar home or business. The penalty, if caught, just considered another small cost of making a huge real estate profit.

Technology is catching up.LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology enables precise tree measurement at the individual tree level. Cities have conducted LiDAR-based canopy surveys that map every tree in a municipality: location, height, crown spread, and species.

With LiDAR, maybe Islamorada could save more trees through better enforcement and provide stiffer penalties for clearing without a permit. There could be programs to replace downed trees after a storm… instead of property owners removing even more trees after a storm, thinking they won’t be caught.

Village Comprehensive Plan, Blueprint for Balance:

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:04:07 GMT

The latest draft from Able City East was received on March 11 and is available on the Village website. Click here. If you care about the future of the Village, get involved. No word yet on public workshop.

A Public Workshop is now scheduled for April 29. Be there.

Village Manager, Ron Saunders,

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:02:49 GMT

will be the guest speaker at this month’s lecture hosted by the Matecumbe Historical Trust on Tues, Mar 24 at the Islamorada Public Library at 6 pm. Ron’s subject will be “Politics in the Florida Keys over the last 60 years”.

The lecture is free and open to the public.

Head of DOGE:

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:59:09 GMT

Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia helped draft two bills that passed the Legislature in 2026 that will increase oversight of local governments.

“As Chief Financial Officer, I have made it my mission to provide real transparency into local governments’ spending, so Floridians know what their tax dollars will go toward.”

Ingoglia traveled the state over the last year, criticizing local governments for “overspending.” He has singled out more than a dozen municipalities, saying he has uncovered nearly $2 billion in excess spending.

The Department of Financial Services is asking anyone with knowledge of fraud or scams to report it at FraudFreeFlorida.com.

No New State Bird!

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:56:18 GMT

A proposal to make the American flamingo the new state bird died in the Legislature due to lack of support in the Senate.

Rep. Jim Mooney said he wanted to make the change to highlight Florida's wildlife diversity and improve conservation efforts.

The proposal would have replaced the mockingbird with the American flamingo as Florida’s state bird. It would also have made the Florida scrub-jay the state’s songbird.

The northern mockingbird remains Florida's official state bird, a designation in place since 1927 and shared with four other states: Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

Quote of the Week:

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:55:03 GMT

Quote of the Week:

This Week's Smile

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:52:55 GMT

This week’s smile:

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:12:35 GMT

I guess we are supposed to be thankful that Village Council meetings have been much shorter in duration lately (last Tuesday, 2 hours 3 minutes; Thursday 1 hour and 3 minutes).

Here’s the rub. We have dozens of pending issues that need to be resolved. And we just worry about the length of meetings?

We will give you a taste of efforts not completed :

Decision on status of a couple properties that cost over 8 million dollars, purchased in the last 5 year, i.e.

The Machado Property-purchased in 2021 for $1.8 million
Island Sugar and Spice, the eye sore in the middle of town, purchased in 2021 for $2.75 million.
And another White Elephant, the old church property, purchased in 2024 for purpose unknown, for $3,995,000.

What is the status of the Green Turtle Hammock situation, ending management agreement with Florida Bay Forever?
The decades long search to find a storage place away from Founders Park for Public Works equipment?
The Contract to maintain 18 miles of FDOT right of way for $65,000 per year ($300/month/mile- both sides of highway)
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
Food truck regulations
Vessel exclusion zones
Noise ordinance
The Wastewater EDU counts and accounting to assure it is self-funded as an enterprise fund
The Marina enterprise fund – do they pay to utilize Village owned property to create revenue for Village funds
Ongoing Budget concerns – making Islamorada more affordable to working residents and fixed income retirees
Parking issues everywhere in the Village, on U.S. One and Village right of way – need overall plan to make the scenic highway scenic again
Implementation status of recently approved Founders Park master plan
Status of 2017 - 2023 Village Strategic Plan

Had enough?

What happened to the After Action Status Report – used to remind council and residents what actions are pending! It would be constant reminder of things needing attention. We thought it was coming back.

Based on recent updates - the Village Planning Department had the initial Comprehensive Plan draft from Able City since Sep 2025. Five months later, Feb 2026, the staff sent recommendations for changes without any public involvement.

Couldn’t we have used that 5 months to discuss the draft publicly – a few workshops. Why did the staff keep it so private?

Now Able City has sent an updated draft received last week. But it will be about 6 weeks before a workshop is held – and that may be the only workshop for public involvement.

Remember, this contract with Able City was approved October 2024. The Constitution of the United Staes took less time to be drafted - just 116 days! With no email and internet.

Since the end of January 2026, the Charter Review Committee has already met 5 times so far to discuss extending the Council term of office from 2 years and increasing council compensation. These changes have been consistently rejected by voters in past elections. Sounds like another Village Council member wish list.

Cheers for the Youth Council!

We heard from the Youth Council at Tuesday’s Village Council meeting. It appears that these teenagers have figured out how to be creative and productive in helping our community be a better place while still attending school 7 hours a day. Their recommendations were the results of their enthusiasm and hard work.

None of the issues that we mentioned in our aforementioned list are impossible to resolve. It will just take some “enthusiasm and hard work”.

Village Council- step it up!

Elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

Will the Discussion Regarding Baseball License Agreement and Design Plan ever end?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:10:07 GMT

The field at Founders Park is the only county high school baseball field not owned by the School. It is owned by the residents of Islamorada.

It was 18 months ago that the School Board signed a design build contract to upgrade the baseball field at Founders Park where the Coral Shores High School team plays ball. The Village is a party to that contract but has not agreed to it. But the design work based on the unsigned contract has been underway for over a year.

As owners of the property, which has been leased, free of charge, to the School Board for over 2 decades, the Village Council wants a say in the design - to assure the kids in the Upper Keys get the best and safest place to play… including the field surface (artificial turf), ADA facilities, etc. All compatible with a Village park.

At the School Board meeting last week, the School Board indicated that they want total control over the design. They believe any changes requested by the Village should be at Village expense.

While the School Board indicated the Founders Park location is their first choice, they did suggest the possibility of moving ahead with their backup plan to put the field in the Coral Shores school “backyard” or use land available from the County.

Are the two groups at an impasse? Which will win - the Village as property owner (property bought with Village tax funds) or the School Board who is funding the upgrades (also tax funds from Upper Keys taxpayers.)

Rideshare - why the controversy?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:04:30 GMT

The Village began an electric vehicle ridesharing services pilot program in “Downtown Islamorada” in 2018. The Village has expanded it several times to provide the better services through the entire Village and to Tavernier Towne and the Tavernier medical services. Cost annually is now $553,400 with an FDOT grant covering 50%.

Freebee has provided the service since 2018 but has never been selected via a competitive bid process as required by state and federal grants and by Village code.

Recently FDOT questioned the Village as to the procurement process and competitive bidding during a compliance review.

The Village Manager received an email recommendation from the Village lobbyist providing reasons why the Village should extend the contract with Freebee another year without competitive bidding. Why is the lobbyist involved?

The Village did not follow the suggestion and on March 12 issued an RFP, “Request for Proposal.” A selection committee appointed by the Village Manager will rank the proposals received and recommend to council a rideshare company for the next year.

Will the staff selection committee and council be influenced by the lengthy list of reasons the lobbyist provided encouraging the Village to continue with Freebee? Click here for email from the lobbyist.

We think required competitive bidding is overdue - by about 8 years!What’s the controversy?

Missing from the Community Center:

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:02:55 GMT

For as long as we can remember, the Village Mission statement has adorned the wall of the community center, often quoted during council meetings. We hope it will be returned.

Also missing: Norman Rockwell’s Freedom of Speech print from Rockwell’s iconic Four Freedoms series, illustrating the democratic right to voice one’s opinion without fear.

The Givin' It Back Barbeque is happening Saturday:

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:59:10 GMT

March 21st at Founders Park Beach! Come enjoy FREE BBQ Pork, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw. 11AM–3PM (or till it's gone! Founders Park Beach; 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

FREE for Islamorada Residents | $15 for non-residents

Village Comprehensive Plan, Blueprint for Balance:

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:56:24 GMT

At the Council meeting on March 12, Planning Director, Jennifer DeBoisbriand, provided an update regarding the Village Comp Plan review project.

The latest draft from Able City East was received on March 11 and is available on the Village website. Click here.

DeBoisbriand indicated a public workshop has been tentatively scheduled for Wed Apr 29. Members of council and the public can submit comments and suggestions regarding the comp plan draft to the planning staff prior to the workshop or at the workshop.

At last month’s Council meeting, DeBoisbriand suggested there would be just one public workshop. Once any changes to the draft are incorporated as a result of the workshop, an updated version of the draft will go before the LPA for their review and approval. The Council will then hold two public hearings to approve the amendments.

Able City East, as part of their $112,000 contract with the Village agreed to provide recommendations for amendments to existing land development regulations and other planning-related documents that support the Comprehensive Plan.

Workforce Housing:

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:54:11 GMT

On the March 10 agenda for discussion is the recommendation from the Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee as to a “Plan for the Allocation of Early Evacuation Workforce Housing."

The Council directed the planning staff to move forward with work on the changes to regulations recommended: Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee’s report.

The Village Youth Council

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:53:01 GMT

member Natalie Goodwin, a Coral Shores student, made a presentation to the Council Tuesday describing the efforts of the committee this year. Included was a request to allow free entry to Founders Park for all county students with a student ID. At the Thursday council meeting, the council passed a motion to approve that recommendation.

FKAA Water Pipeline Replacement Update:

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:50:27 GMT

Each month Aaron Cutler, construction manager, updates the council and the public regarding the status of the pipeline replacement project. As the current project work moved from Plantation Key across the Tavernier bridge the traffic back-ups got significantly worse northbound approaching Tavernier Towne and Mariners Hospital. Cutler indicated this phase of the work will take about 6 more weeks. “Thanks for your patience.”

Once the work there is completed near the end of April, the FKAA will go back to trench in 4 or 5 areas of the new pipeline to connect to the old pipe.

NEXT UP - Fills and Lower Mat: The next segment to be undertaken according to Cutler will be from Indian Key Fill down to MM72: the Fills and Lower Matecumbe.

New Ramp Plan and parking for Founders Park Marina -

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:48:57 GMT

addition to the March 12 agenda by Sharon Mahoney with explanation and sketch by back country guide, Richard Black. The plan would improve the deteriorated condition of the existing ramp, double the width to allow for a two-boat wide ramp with t-dock - to benefit residents, visitors and guides.

A cost analysis will be presented at the April council meeting with possible grant sources.

Beautiful Islamorada Exhibit

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:46:37 GMT

Asta Kraskouskas

Mary Bonde

Gloria Avner

Visit the amazing art exhibits. Thank you Emily Rother, Village Cultural Arts Coordinator

The Great Islamorada Chicken Roundup is ongoing!

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:43:14 GMT

Vice Mayor Mahoney has located places in Homestead where some of the chickens can reside happily forever after!

Anyone have a chicken coop that wants a couple extra hens? Send Sharon an email at sharellen@netzero.net.

Remember - do not feed wild chickens. It is against the law!

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:08:02 GMT

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

March 10 Village Council Meeting Review:

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:04:47 GMT

Interesting agenda - just 326 pages. Shortest agenda for a regular Council Meeting in several years.

It seems the most important and controversial items are discussion items - with no individual public comment allowed.

General public comment can be used to comment on reports and discussions: squeeze in 3 minutes about multiple critical issues already heard with council direction already provided.

Examples March 10 agenda - 1) Discussion Regarding Baseball License Agreement and Design Plan; 2) FDOT SFY27 Rideshare Funding Opportunity; 3) Village Manager 60-Day Performance Review

We hear the School Board may refuse to give Islamorada the right to review and have a say in the final design at the Village owned baseball field. Have the two groups reached an impasse? Both are discussing it at their individual meetings Mar 10, 86 miles apart. Why don’t they sit down together and work this out?

Examples March 12 agenda - 1) Comp Plan Update; 2) Plan for Allocation of the Early Evacuation Workforce Units

March 10 TAB 6 - Consent Agenda - approving a change in the Village procurement policy for purchases made that will receive FDOT funding. This one agenda item is162 pages long - half the agenda. In October 2025, the Village was reviewed for compliance for the FDOT Freebee grant. FDOT suggested the Village update its procurement policies to assure they follow FDOT competitive bid requirements.

The Purchasing and Procurement Manual should be required reading for staff and council before waiving competitive bidding or utilizing RFP/RFQ processes.

And What is missing from the Agenda?

No “After Action Status Report” - We were promised that every agenda would include this report. It is very helpful in keeping track of projects the Council wants the staff to undertake.
No FDOT Landscape contract - pulled from February agenda. The Village is being asked to agree to the same $65,644 per year to mow and trim 18 miles of FDOT right of way. This amount has not increased for years. We need some public discussion.
Use Change pulled from Feb agenda: No explanation - adding affordable housing as a legal use in Public Service/Semi-Public Zoning District. Request made by property owners, Habitat and Island Community Church.

Village Comprehensive Plan Update:

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:02:22 GMT

Village Manager, Ron Saunders, has indicated he will continue to provide a comp plan update in every council agenda until the process has been completed. It surely seems to be moving at a snails pace. An update of the status is to be provided at the Village Council Land Use Meeting on March 12. Below is the original timeline.

Able City East was approved in October 2024 to work with the Village to update the Comp Plan. In addition, they agreed to do any corresponding Land Development Regulation updates needed, as part of the contract price.

In September 2025, Able City East submitted a draft Comp Plan to the Village due in the spring of 2025 according to the timeline.

At the February Council meeting, we learned that the Village staff finally submitted their recommended changes.

When the changes are incorporated by Able City and an updated draft is provided, a public workshop will be scheduled. The updates will have public hearing(s) before the LPA and the Council before final approval.

Workforce Housing:

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:58:40 GMT

On the March 10 agenda for discussion is the recommendation from the Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee as to a “Plan for the Allocation of Early Evacuation Workforce Housing."

Numerous recommendations from the committee would require changes to our comp plan and/or Land Development Regulations. Perfect timing.

But first - a Study: As we wrote in last week’s newsletter, an up-to-date Housing Study is desperately needed before we start changing Land Development Regulations and the Comp Plan. What type housing do we really need? The county has 12 1-bedroom affordable units sitting at MM95, vacant since last July. What is it that is so desperately needed? Figuring out the actual need must be step one.

Voices for Florida Keys Children

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:55:18 GMT

Voices for Florida Keys Children, a volunteer organization, dedicated to the betterment of the lives of the County abused, abandoned, and neglected children, under the supervision of the 16th judicial circuit in the Florida Keys. These children are in the state judicial system through no fault of their own. Click here to learn more or to join the effort!

The amazing Annual Fundraising luncheon was held at Hawks Cay March 7. Photo below are some of the sponsors honored at the event.

In 2025, Voices provided support for Florida Keys children, including education, field trips, summer camps, medical expenses, clothing, holiday gifts, and scholarships totaling $187,657. Thank you for a job very well done!

Coral Shores High School Musical

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:53:04 GMT

What an amazing performance with talent galore. Great vocals, fantastic dancing, an incredible set. The Arts are alive at Coral Shores High School.

The Great Islamorada Chicken Roundup!

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:50:34 GMT

At a recent council meeting there was a resident asking for help - too many roosters crowing at all hours disturbing the peace and quiet on Upper Matecumbe.

It is believed there are about 5 - 6 roosters, several near Village Hall and the ones on Upper Matecumbe that were the object of the original crowing complaint at Jerome Ave.

Vice Mayor Mahoney to the rescue! She has located a farmer in Homestead who will provide a home for the roosters and someone who will transport them to the new home. Without the roosters, the number of chickens can be stabilized.

Next - homes for the hens. Anyone have a chicken coop that wants a couple extra hens? Or you can get a chicken coop delivered by Amazon for a little more than $100. It is believed the chickens at Founders Park were raised in a coop and will produce eggs as much as 2 per hen per day! A pretty good investment. If interested, send Sharon an email at sharellen@netzero.net.

Remember - if you do not want to attract chickens to your neighborhood - do not feed wild chickens. It is against the law!

Council member news:

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:24:44 GMT

Sometimes it seems we go so long in between meetings - we forget about the busy lives of those we elected! Here are just a couple hints about the whereabouts of a couple members of Council.

Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney finally had time between meetings to get her leg repaired. We hope recovery goes well. Perhaps the Seven Mile Bridge race will be in her future!

Councilmember Anna Richards threw out the first pitch at the Coral Shores baseball game Monday, threwing a strike to get the Canes off to a great start as they won an exciting game 3-1 with pitcher Riley O’Berry going the distance.

Last Stand welcomed Councilmember Steve Friedman as their newest board member. Steve is a dedicated and experienced advocate for the lifeblood of the Florida Keys: the waters. Last Stand is lucky to have Steve on their board. Click here to read how Steve got to be such an advocate for our waters.

The rest couldn't be posted because of the size for some reason? Please see the newsletter archives for more!

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:20:24 GMT

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:

“They paved paradise to put up a parking lot”

Common good:The very heart of the legal concept of the common good isn't a single law, but an idea woven into government regulations, constantly asking the question: “What is best for the community as a whole?”

It is apparent the “common good” policy is not working properly in Islamorada and some in the community get special favors.

A year ago, property owners at Anglers Reef Condos on Windley Key asked the Village to provide overflow parking spaces on Village owned right of way in front of their 52-unit condo.

Over 75% of the units have vacation rental licenses, which certainly adds to their parking problems… that they want the Village to fix.

There are numerous parking problems in Islamorada. The scenic Village is not so scenic anymore with continual overflow parking everywhere. Why has the Council singled out Anglers Reef to provide special help?

At a recent meeting, the Village Council, declared fixing Angler Reef parking as the “top priority” for the Planning Department. It is now ahead of the Comp Plan and a list of other, now forgotten “priorities.”

Publicly spinning the priority “wheel” doesn’t solve a single problem.

Jennifer DeBoisbriand, Village Planning Director, told council from a planning perspective, parking throughout the Village should be addressed together as part of the Comp Plan review. We think this is logical. That review should be top priority.

The property owners at Anglers Reef, through their HOA attorney, Ty Harris, offered to pay, an estimated $500,000 for the parking project. Village Attorney, John Quick, warned that this could create legal complications because of the tax-free status of the Village. And that the parking couldn’t be restricted to “Anglers Reef Only.”

The Council members responded - who else would use the proposed parking? How about the mobile home park adjoining Anglers Reef with 48 homes squeezed onto a property about 1/3 the size of Anglers Reef. Aren’t they equally entitled?

Furthermore, this creates a precedent that will be tested and eventually abused.

At the June 2025 Council Meeting, former Village Engineer, Robert Mather, presented recommendations based on legal requirements and safety issues. He indicated parallel parking is the safest parking design and follows legal requirements. He explained requirements as to clear sight triangles, no backing onto a road, etc.

DeBoisbriand added that while many local businesses back onto roads, those are existing conditions that can’t be changed. For a new project, all requirements like the no backing requirement must be enforced to minimize future hazards.

Recommendations and warnings from Mather and DeBoisbriand were ignored. The Council directed Mather to change the plan to angled parking. And voted to eliminate the “no backing” safety restriction in Village regulations.

Next: Once the sketch with the angled parking was completed, a Town Hall meeting was to be scheduled to present the plan to the community. None yet, 9 months later?

Special treatment: Is Anglers Reef getting other special concessions?

According to “Cityview“ on the Village website, on Jan 16, the Building Department received a permit application for 11 parking spaces in the right of way with the Village as property owner. Who filed the permit?

On Feb 12, the Village Planning Department received a site plan for the Village owned Right of Way, from the homeowners, listing Anglers Reef as owner.

From the site plan review by Planning: “Parking plan pursuant to License & Use Agreement between Village of Islamorada and Anglers Reef POA.” What license agreement? This appears headed for the Hall of Bad decisions. File it next to the Founders Park baseball field fiasco.

Also noted in the review for Anglers Reef “Application fees and deposit waived per Village Manager.” Why? What entitles them to reduced costs?

People ask why is there division in the Village?Look at the decisions made by Village authorities, often demonstrating blatant favoritism.

Are Village taxpayers on the hook for the costly improvements and staff time?

Will this application face the same scrutiny other applicants face? I wouldn’t bet on it. And will we ever know why Anglers Reef is treated a bit better than many applicants facing the Village. This whole project stinks to high heaven.

Explain Village officials! You work for us. You can try to heal the division with transparency and answers to our questions. Ball is in your court.

Tom Raffanello

Work under the Channel 5 Bridge; Nighttime closures

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:18:19 GMT

Nighttime single-lane closures will take place on the Channel 5 Bridge Sunday, March 1 through Thursday, March 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.

Water Shortage Warning

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:16:09 GMT

has been issued by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for Miami-Dade and Monroe. SFWMD says there may not be enough water through the remainder of the dry season (which typically lasts until May) to meet demand and protect the aquifer from serious harm. Remember, the water source for Monroe County is the same aquifer that provides water to Miami-Dade.

According to the prominent Keys environmental organization, Last Stand, this water shortage is exactly why they have fought overdevelopment for nearly 40 years.

From Last Stand’s recent newsletter:

The Keys have real, physical limits. Endless growth is not compatible with a fragile island chain that depends on a stressed regional water supply.

Even though official population estimates look stable, water, sewer, and solid waste data indicate there are more people in the Keys than ever before. A likely driver is the explosion of short-term rentals, which often house far more people than the outdated infrastructure planning assumptions of roughly two people per household.

Overdevelopment, land use planning, and ROGO isn’t just a hurricane evacuation issue, or an environmental issue. It’s a question of whether we push the Keys so far past its breaking point that the taps run dry.

Charter Review Committee

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:13:57 GMT

On Feb 18, the Charter Review committee decided to propose several items for the Council’s consideration regarding changes to the Village Charter..

With a vote of 6-1, Susan Raffanello, dissenting, the committee decided to stick with 5 seats instead of recommending the top 5 vote getters get elected, as is done in Marathon.
They also voted 6-1, Susan Raffanello, dissenting, to recommend going from 2-year terms for members of council to 3-year terms with a term limit of 3 terms. We understand if a member has already served one or two years of a term, they would only be eligible for 2 additional terms - not 9 years total. It was not discussed whether this is a total of 3 terms total or 3 consecutive terms.
A vote to not stagger the terms failed 2-5.

The members of the committee often referred to the preference of the residents they have talked to. If you haven’t voiced your ideas to committee members, attend the meetings so your voice can be heard.

Affordable/Workforce Housing - We have a desperate need for actual facts!

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:08:53 GMT

Everyone believes we need more affordability - living costs: housing, taxes, insurance, groceries. Used to be the #1 priority in the Village. Getting there is the problem. We need help from the legislature, developers, the Village, the TDC.

Do we even know where to start? Do we even know what type of affordable/workforce housing would help the situation? What can we learn from the County - 9 months ago they acquired 12 one-bedroom deed restricted affordable housing units in Key Largo. None have been rented. Many new projects are pending with hundreds of affordable deed restricted units proposed.

Perhaps Habitat for Humanity is correct that in the Upper Keys the most needed housing is stand-alone 3 bedroom/2 bath family ownership opportunities.

As a proponent of Habitat stated to us “These end up being essential permanent residents of the community who benefit from their proximity to their jobs, high quality schools and the opportunity to create and grow their equity while contributing to the vibrancy of the community.”

Our proximity to the mainland makes it practical for many workers to commute. The typical renters might rather live on the mainland due to the lower cost of living, availability of housing and proximity to a community of family and friends.

Unfortunately, bringing our workforce from the mainland may increase our local traffic challenges.

Affordable Housing Study: An up-to-date Housing Study is desperately needed! We cannot just guess about how to spend critical affordable housing funds. Or use 20-year-old data. What do we really need? What decisions do we make as a Village that improve or hurt the goals.

The Islamorada statistics are readily available and need analysis as to the best approach to improving affordability.

Monroe County just approved an Affordable Housing Study. County Administrator Christine Hurley commented: “We are seeing a change of usage that we’ve never seen before in the County”

District 5 County Commissioner, Holly Rascheim, an Islamorada resident, stated: “We are getting a little saturated up here. We need to make sure we are putting affordable housing where it actually needs to go.”

Does anyone else in Islamorada think we are “a little saturated?”

Click Here to read a Free Press story about the Monroe County study. Why was Marathon included but not Islamorada?

Village Comprehensive Plan Update:

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:06:14 GMT

If you are interested in reviewing the initial draft from Able City East, it is public record. We would be happy to email it to readers.

We have also received comments from several staff members that have been sent to Able City.

As we’ve stated several times… Village citizen committees can and should help. This impacts life in Islamorada for generations to come. We hope all committees will be provided the initial draft along with any planning staff suggestions so they can review sections related to their committee work.

This is a complex document. Extensive work is needed. The public needs to be heavily involved.

Do not underestimate the critical importance of the comprehensive plan and public involvement.

Who was up early this morning to see the total lunar eclipse:

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:04:14 GMT

a spectacular total lunar eclipse where the darkest part of its shadow, completely covers the Moon. Because a totally eclipsed Moon is usually colored red, total lunar eclipses are also called Blood Moons.

This eclipse was to be visible in Miami and the Keys. beginning at 3:44 am when the Earth's shadow began covering the moon. The eclipse was over at 6:23 am.

Daylight saving time: starting sooner this year:

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:03:01 GMT

Clocks will shift forward an hour on Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m., which will become 3 a.m. and end Nov 1.

The spring time change is an annual ritual, loved by some, tolerated by others and debated almost every year.

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:15:37 GMT

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:

The people who prioritize protecting our environment and work to resist the prevailing propensity for over development and lack of budget discipline
The business community that appears to be more interested in unfettered tourism and development.

The polarization here between the two schools of thought is so stark that many residents have unfriendly social interactions, criticized for even being seen and speaking with people from opposing camps.

This is juvenile. This polarization has undermined our democratic process by making discussion, negotiation, and compromise difficult, if not impossible. Even the best ideas are ignored when coming from the wrong person or affiliation.

The Islamorada Community Alliance has become a focal point for those who seek to demonize opposing views. Again, juvenile and, I submit, not what residents voted for.

I pledge to continue to oppose programs and actions we deem detrimental to our residents and environment. We will not be deterred; speak to me at your own peril.

The unique environment of the Keys has long been the reason for our growth and financial success. Maybe the business community should thank the environmentalists for preserving their most important asset.

When someone expresses a view on a controversial issue and then encounters vigorous criticism, the result is often “self-censorship.” People remain silent to avoid the vitriol and economic consequences they may suffer by speaking up.

At a recent council meeting there were only two members of the public in attendance for important public hearings - one was the attorney for a petitioner.

Islamorada is in the process of reviewing our Village Charter. This is our “Constitution” and is a critical undertaking. The committee, selected by the council, has now met twice. Once there was just one member of the public in attendance; four at the next meeting.

It took over 14 months to get this council to initiate the process, but now we are told there is no time to waste. Didn’t all the councilpersons run on this issue?

We asked the Village Manager, Ron Saunders: How can we get the public more engaged in the local government issues?

Saunders said, with his extensive legislative experience, that people typically get involved when they are angry. When they are satisfied with what the elected officials are doing, they don’t need to participate.

He hopes that is the case in Islamorada currently - satisfaction with the government.

I think that is delusional, incorrect and poor reasoning.

Residents have been intimidated. The fear of reprisal hangs over our small village. Or perhaps it is the knowledge that the council isn’t going to listen anyway.

We have another theory. The population of Islamorada has changed since the early days when there was standing room only for council meetings.

We have 7000 residents. Many more part-time residents who do not get involved in Village politics to the degree those who live here year-round.

The cost of living in Islamorada has been going higher and higher. Unfortunately, it has never been quite like it is now. “Now the billionaires are replacing the millionaires.”

Maybe money does buy happiness. Remember when most homes here were 2 bedrooms, or less. A 3-bedroom home was a mansion. Now the wealthy are building homes big enough to house the extended family and all of their friends without the need to share a bathroom.

A couple examples…

Consider the huge “resort” homes, permitted as single family, used as a vacation rental, with many bedroom suites, rented for a day, weekend, or week, as if a mini hotel… popular as a corporate retreat, wedding venue or family reunion destination.

Some rent at over $5,000 per night. Up the ante if a private chef is included. Many seem to ignore the Village rules... may not even bother with a vacation rental license. If they are caught, the fine is a small portion of the thousands that the rentals produce.

Toothless enforcement if, in fact, there is any meaningful enforcement at all.

One property owner had no trouble with a landscape mitigation fee to bulldoze a couple acres of high-quality hammock. Built a house, now listed for sale at over $20,000,000. The $100,000 in bulldozer mitigation was a small price to pay!

Challenging the government is only possible if you have deep pockets - very, very deep pockets. And that’s who is moving in.

My friend, these are some of the facts that discourage residents from participating:

Fear of retribution or loss of friendships
Happy with, or oblivious to, local government
Government decisions don’t matter - pay the fee, when and if caught.
I’m going fishing – or to the brewery where at least the bartender listens.

I applaud those who want to make a difference and continue to weigh in on our important quality of life issues. Keep at it.

Elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

Charter Review Committee

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:13:20 GMT

CRITICAL: Public Attendance improved slightly at the second charter review committee meeting last Monday with 4 members of the public attending.

This Wednesday the committee will continue discussing possible changes to the length of council terms (3, 4 years instead of 2), whether to stagger terms, whether “seats” should be eliminated in favor of just electing the top vote getters, giving the members of council a pay raise.

A majority of the committee seemed to prefer 3-year staggered terms last week after hearing the logic of 3 year terms presented by Lynn Tipton of the League of Cities. With 3-year terms, if a member of council only serves a single term they will have served through an entire budget cycle:

Year 1 - Sep Approval of a budget following the Nov election

Year 2 - Serve through a complete fiscal year (Oct 1 - Sep 30) with budget they approved

Year 3 - Completion of audit typically months into the 3rd year of the term.

Next meeting of the Charter Review Committee is Wed Feb 18 at 5:30PM, at the Community Room, Founders Park.

Last Tuesday Council Agenda:

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:10:34 GMT

Do the members of council and staff read our newsletters? We think they do - some of the time.

Old Population Studies: No reaction - but we will keep reminding them that 20-year-old population studies taking up hundreds of pages in an agenda are clearly not relevant and should not be evidence during important decision-making hearings.

U. S. One Right of Way: a Turf and Landscape contract with FDOT for $65,644 annually for Islamorada Public Works to maintain the 18 miles of U.S. One was in the consent agenda. We wrote that the contract with FDOT merits further discussion. The mayor pulled it from the agenda.

Missing from the agenda: Last week we pointed out several pending concerns missing from the agenda. Though not on the agenda, they were at least discussed and will be back on the next agenda:

Green Turtle Hammock - see report later in this newsletter.
Baseball: The Coral Shores home opener is Tues. Feb 17 at 6 PM at the Founders Park field.

Here’s the update discussed though not on the agenda:

On Jan. 8, village council approved a revised license agreement that has not been approved by the school board yet.
The license agreement states the school board would need approval from the village for all decisions, including the design and development permits on the field.
The school board has approved the “final design” but the school board has not forwarded it to the Village for approval.
Reports from the team suggest that the field is not in the pristine condition promised by the School Board representative, Pat LeFere, Director of Operations & Planning. (We went by to check - the maintenance crew from Brightview was there - not working. They were cutting down shrubs behind the visitors’ dugout.)

Aquatic Center Renovation at Founders Park is Underway.

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:07:44 GMT

The Council approved a $2,302,510 contract with StandGuard Aquatics INC to renovate and upgrade the facilities at the pool complex at Founders Park. A TDC grant will cover $436,800 of the cost.

The contract includes resurfacing the pool, renovating the locker rooms, redoing the lighting, scoreboard and mechanical equipment as well as adding a lifeguard first aid station. The pool water was chemically neutralized to zero chlorine and then pumped out of the pool onto the Plantation Hammock Preserve on the north side of Founders Park.

Workmen have been hard at work with jackhammers, chipping away at the deteriorated 25-year-old pool surface.

The timeline according to the contract - Construction through substantial completion Feb 1 – May 9, 2026 with completion – May 9 to May 23, 2026. Just in time for the very busy summer schedule with a variety of camps and events. Groups like the synchronized swimmers are using the pool at MM100 in Key Largo.

While the Village is losing significant revenue during the repairs, in the long run, there may be huge savings in the Village water bill as it is suspected that the pool has had some major leaks.

Water bill: The water bills paid by the Village for the pool and the pool complex for the 4 months from October 2025 through January 2026 totaled just over $107,000.

Other Founders Park Facilities are available to allow residents and visitors to enjoy the beautiful park, the beach, fitness equipment, walking paths, dog park, and athletic fields.

Village Comprehensive Plan Update:

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:05:02 GMT

There was an update on the status of the Comp Plan during “VILLAGE MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS” at the Tues Feb 10 Council meeting. Village Manager, Ron Saunders, has indicated he will continue to provide a comp plan update in every council agenda until the process has been completed.

Director of Planning, Jennifer DeBoisBriand, provided an explanation of what to expect next with the comp plan review. According to her report:

The Village received a working draft of the proposed amendments to the Comp Plan from Able City East in September.
The staff has reviewed the document and submitted recommendations to Able City.
Once Able City addresses the suggestions, they will submit an updated draft to the Village which will be available on the Village website for the public and council.
A public workshop with AbleCity East will be scheduled for public comments.
Able City will again update the working draft based on public feedback
Their updated draft will be presented to the LPA for public hearings (2 anticipated)
Once reviewed by LPA, their recommendations will be submitted to the Council for Council approval.

If you are interested in reviewing the initial draft from Able City East, it is public record. We would be happy to email it to readers.

We have also received comments from two staff members that have been sent to Able City.

As we’ve stated several times… Village citizen committees can and should help. We hope all committees will be provided the initial draft along with any planning staff suggestions so they can review sections related to their committee work.

This is a complex document. Extensive work is needed. The public needs to be heavily involved.

Do not underestimate the critical importance of the comprehensive plan and public involvement.

The Green Turtle Hammock Preserve:

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:57:48 GMT

In 2006, the Village was deeded this 6-acre bayfront treasure, a $4.7 million gift with Village obligations dictated in a “management plan.” In 2020 the Village advertised a Request for Proposals to find an environmental non-profit to operate the facility and comply with the management plan. Florida Bay Forever submitted the only proposal.

Feb 25, 2021 the Village passed a resolution giving Florida Bay Forever the responsibilities as required by the Florida Communities Trust Management Plan. This management agreement with Florida Bay Forever ends at the end of this month.

The Village has circulated information to some local nonprofits to determine if other organization would like to benefit from the use of the property and provide volunteer presence and services. Florida Bay Frever could be one of the volunteer organizations. The Village staff would take over the actual management functions currently provided by Florida Bay Forever.

The future of the property was not on the Council agenda in February. But the council agreed to a 1-month extension with Florida Bay Forever until the March council meeting. Manager Saunders and Village staff are to work with Florida Bay Forever to find the best solution for accommodating them and other nonprofits while assuring the requirements of the management plan are met.

Taxpayer question: Why should the Village manage this facility with paid employees, when they have a terrific environmental organization fulfilling the educational, conservation and management requirements free of charge?

Fortunes Made and Lost in the Florida Keys - Feb 17th!

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:54:49 GMT

45th Annual Upper Keys GARDEN WALK 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:51:04 GMT

45^th Annual Upper Keys GARDEN WALK 2026

Saturday 2/28/26

10am-4pm

Pre-sale - $32

Day of Event - $35

Ticket information:

Garden Walk Tickets – Garden Club of the Upper Keys

Slow Progress is better than no progress:

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:49:38 GMT

You thought our government was slow!

Feb. 12 the Miami City Commission agreed to a public referendum vote to restore the iconic Miami Marine Stadium on Key Biscayne. For 34 years, the structure has been sitting empty since it was declared unsafe following Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Quote of the Week:

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:47:42 GMT

Photo of the Week:

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:46:01 GMT

Who remembers this Upper Matecumbe ice cream shop?

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:58:38 GMT

The key to successful government, at any level, is ACCOUNTABILITY.

In the past an “After Action Report” was included in monthly Council meeting agendas. We believe the last one was April 8, 2025. If you follow the Village efforts, as we do, that “status” report was very valuable.

For continued value it must be up to date. What happened?

At the January 6, 2026, council meeting, the “After Action Status Report” was discussed by council and was to be revived. Great news!

They explained that the report would include any efforts the staff is directed to undertake by a “consensus of the council” at council meetings. Why restrict the report?

By saying “directed staff” does that translate into the report not including the status of projects that have been farmed out to contractors, i.e. our Comp Plan, the wastewater rate study, canal restoration projects, just to name a few?

The status of these projects is critical to the transparency and competency of the Village. “Consensus of Council” should include ALLL projects including

the aforementioned studies and projects.

These are accountability and tax dollar issues.

There have been numerous projects that were not discussed at public meetings. There was the change of the zoning designation of the now, Village owned church. Who directed that change request?

Some projects have been discussed but no “consensus” vote was taken. i.e. to evaluate a rider charge for ride-share services; issuing an RFP for ride-share services. Status of these projects?

What is the fate of issues “directed by council” via the annual budget approval.

At the January meeting, Council members were given a sample “After Action Report” to approve. There were no objections. The public did not get to see the report before the directive from council to proceed.

Manager Saunders promised a complete report for the February meeting.

February report: 4 entries: Create Charter Review Committee, Comprehensive Plan Update; TDR Bank; Wastewater Rate Study.

Is this the complete status report promised? Or is this the “sample” provided to council last month? Please advise! We are getting mixed signals.

I believe the format is deficient. Include dates and steps taken toward completion of items, not just the date requested and the date completed. A complete status.

Click here to see the “After Action Report” in the Feb 10 agenda.

Click here to see the April 2025 report.

Once a project is completed, the council wants it removed from the list. Good business dictates that it be “moved” to an archive file of completed tasks. That is transparent and informative.

Ongoing Responsibilities: now that the council and public will have a way to follow the staff efforts for specific projects, let’s talk about ongoing responsibilities.

Why not providing semi-annual statistical reports by department? Surely the departments have a compilation of this data. The Village manager would need this to monitor progress and efficiency.

Examples:

Fire Rescue: # of employees in department, number of calls for service – for fire,

medical, etc.

Wastewater. Calls for sewer back-ups, leaks, maintenance calls.

Parks and Rec: number of folks paying entrance fee, fees for aquatic center broken down to include income per contracted service and/or Village provided service.

Marina: How many slips are rented long term, monthly, daily, and the charge etc. Number of boaters using ramp.

Without more information how are taxpayers assured that the Village is spending their tax dollars efficiently? We need this feedback.

Our staff has grown significantly over the past several decades. Our property taxes have increased over 50% in 5 years. Our population is dwindling a bit each year and many full-time residents can no longer afford the high cost of living here.

We need to do a better job of managing the cost and necessity government services we provide.

As we previously stated, ACCOUNTABILITY is the lynchpin to successful government at all levels. It’s time Village Council and management paid attention.

We want to preserve our way of life and this unique environment. Without accountability we will continue to be in a downward spiral. Throwing money, indiscriminately, at problems always fails.

Let’s be leaders!

Tom Raffanello

2026 - Election Year in Islamorada

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:55:58 GMT

All 5 council seats are up for grabs! And we will likely have critical charter changes on the ballot as well.

To date, Don Horton is the only candidate who has filed. To keep up with the coming election Click here.

Running for municipal office is a powerful way to make a difference in your community.

Should you consider running for a seat on Village Council?

Some people run for the prestige of the position. Some may want the financial advantages ($1000/month in pay)??? Few will admit either of these.

Many people run because they want to protect what makes Islamorada unique. They worry about the continual increase in taxes. They’ve watched the same problems come up year after year. They see council meetings where decisions are made without those most affected having a real voice.

If things are to change, someone has to step up.

If you think the Village is just fine the way it is, you are in luck! If not, consider running for a seat on council.

Charter Review Committee

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:53:41 GMT

CRITICAL: Public Attendance improve by 400% at the Monday charter review committee meeting. First meeting, 1 member of the public, this week - 4 members of the public. Where was the facilitator? The League of Cities provided a presentation. Click Here.

The committee is discussing important ideas that could change the way the Village operates - a majority of the committee seemed to prefer 3-year terms! Will they want to recommend increasing council pay? Should we eliminate elections by “seats” or just elect the top vote getters? The public will decide but the public should attend the meetings and voice their ideas for innovative ways to improve the charter. Next meeting - Wed Feb 18 at 5:30PM, Community Room.

Tuesday Council Agenda:

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:51:54 GMT

Meeting Prediction: Short meeting. Just 15 tabs - almost half are in the consent agenda. A majority of the remaining tabs are land use issues, including 4 quasi judicial hearings, scheduled for Tuesday with no Thursday Land Use meeting needed.

Old Population Studies: There are 623 pages in the Tuesday agenda. Two of the tabs have old 150-page County Population studies - projections from March 2011 and February 2000 - 300 of the 623 pages, used to justify growth requests for decades now. Not valid today!

U. S. One Right of Way: One item from the consent agenda that merits discussion. Tab 4, agreeing to a Turf and Landscape contract with FDOT for $65,644 annually for Islamorada Public Works to maintain the 18 miles of U.S. One.

Litter Pickup – 12 times/yr: $1,744.00; $8.07/month/mile
Mowing, including Edging and Weed Control – 12 times/yr: $14,032.00; $65/month/mile
Landscape Maintenance/Tree Trimming – 12 times/yr: $39,868.00; $185/month/mile

FDOT used to do the right of way maintenance, but the Village wanted more frequent mowing than monthly. The Village opted to do the maintenance themselves and to be reimbursed by FDOT - but is $65,644 realistic? Or why not let FDOT do the monthly maintenance and when the right of way needs a little extra care, Public Works (or a local contract company) could supplement the service. Or just renegotiate the amount FDOT pays us to a more realistic figure.

What is missing from the agenda?

Baseball - the School Board says Islamorada will get approval rights as owner of the field every step of the way. When does that start? The design contract is in use but never came before council. One concern: Doesn’t it give the design contractor the sole right to pick the type and quality of the turf? Is that ok with the Village?

Green Turtle Hammock: Decision regarding the future management of the Green Turtle Hammock Preserve was to be brought before council in February. Florida Bay Forever has provided services required by the management plan for the last 5 years and the agreement ends in a few weeks. Does the Village have a plan to fulfil the management plan dictated by the state? Why isn’t it in the agenda?

Note: Green Turtle Hammock decision apparently wasn't on the agenda, but it WAS discussed at the meeting.

Coming to Lower Matecumbe:

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:50:02 GMT

The Islamorada Foundation announced their Open Space Initiative with the purchase of the old tennis club at 76800 Overseas Highway on Lower Matecumbe Key. Below is a rendering of their initial ideas for the property: three tennis courts, six pickleball courts, restrooms, playground. Thank you Islamorada Foundation for initiating great ideas for our community, acquiring the land, and finding the support and the funds to make our Village a better place to live and to play!

Lower Matecumbe Bike Path -

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:47:45 GMT

For decades residents have considered Lower Matecumbe’s island-long bike path, first paved in 1987, their park, popular for walking, jogging and biking. In recent years, the path (part of the State Park Heritage Trail) has deteriorated in areas, making it impossible to use. The worst areas are the area to the far south of the island - the most populated portion of Lower Matecumbe.

In 2005, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) deeded the first 50’ of the U.S. One Right of Way, bayside, the length of the island, to the Village. The Village accepted that 50’, along with the maintenance responsibilities, including the bike path.

In October 2025 the Village Council accepted a $200,000 grant from FDOT to elevate and repair 2500’ of the bike path from approximately the Fire Station to the Scout Base, the worst area of the bike path. The Village will add a $50,000 match.

The projected cost ($250,000) of bike path improvements is in the current budget, but the work will be delayed until the current canal restoration project at the same area is finished. The contractor is using the Village 50’ for a staging area for the canal work.

Canal Restoration: Culverts connecting dead-end canals: A few months ago, a $8.9 million canal-restoration project began on the island, intended to improve water quality in dead-end canals by restoring tidal flow.

State grants are funding the canal work, primarily using Florida Stewardship Grant funds. (Sharing Stewardship funding with Village wastewater projects.)

The village awarded the culvert construction contract to LPS Contracting to install multiple 4-by-4-foot box culverts beneath numerous bayside roads and U.S. One to hydraulically connect the dead-end canals.

Long term, the village is betting on environmental improvements. Islamorada has signed a project agreement with WS Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. (WSP), to monitor the conditions of the canals before and after canal restoration.

The immediate impact for residents includes construction traffic and temporary access restrictions. And a real mess on the bike path, the Park for people on Lower Matecumbe. Everyone understands - it is a construction site, but it is also the front yard and park for residents and visitors on the island. Is a terrible mess necessary?

Lower Matecumbe Bike Path

Swim Across America!

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:45:58 GMT

The 5th Annual Florida Keys Swim Across America is scheduled for April 18, 2026 at Founders Park. Swimmers of all ages and skill levels are invited to join in to support Baptist Hospital’s Miami Cancer Institute.

Swimmers “all across America” will be joining local efforts to fight cancer. Swim Options:half mile, 1 mile, 2 miles, Kids Splash, or “My Way” - a virtual swim.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPEN NOW! $50 NOW THROUGH MARCH 30, 2026.

Village Comprehensive Plan Update

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:43:27 GMT

Able City East was selected on 10/11/2024 by the Village Council as the professional consultant that would assist with the update of the Village Comprehensive Plan.

There is to be an update on the status of the Comp Plan during VILLAGE ATTORNEY / VILLAGE MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS but no presentation of the comp plan draft to the council and the public yet. Just an update.

If you are interested in reviewing the draft from Able City East, it is public record. We would be happy to email it to readers.

Coding Required: Florida statutes require that changes to a comprehensive plan use a coding system - strikethroughs for deleted text and underlining for additions. This coding is not used in the draft provided making the review a monumental task.

The Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for the future of Islamorada. If you care about Islamorada - amending the comp plan is critical. And critical for the public to help.

11 Critical Elements: The Islamorada draft plan includes 11 elements including Land Use, Transportation, Housing, etc. with goals and policies associated with each element.

Suggestion: Each of 11 elements warrant a separate public workshop and thorough public review. We worry that won’t happen. If there is an element that is important to you, concentrate on that area initially to make the process less overwhelming.

The total draft comp plan document is 284 pages long and includes approximately 700 suggested policies for the community to adopt… some policies from the current comp plan, approximately 200 new policies. The public review process is critical.

We believe the planning staff has been reviewing the draft for several months and may be finding areas that believe need to be changed. But the public may feel differently. This should be a Village-wide effort!!!

Committees can help. We hope all Village citizen committees will be provided the draft of the Comp Plan so they could review the sections related to their committee work?

The Establishing A Common Vision - words from the plan. Public participation is critical

In future newsletters, watch for suggested Comp Plan goals and policies. And remember to speak up.

Let us know if you want a peek at the DRAFT of the Comp Plan from Able City East. Send us an email.

Iguanas:

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:42:29 GMT

Iguanas: Last week at its Feb Commission meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced that 5,195 invasive green iguanas were removed from Florida’s ecosystems under Executive Order 26-03, thanks to the cold weather and collaborative efforts of the public, partners, and staff.

Quote of the Week:

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:39:09 GMT

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:56:08 GMT

A DOGE report last week indicated many local governments they have audited demonstrate there is an “absence of budgetary discipline.”

Is that Islamorada’s problem?

We live in a representative democracy.

This is the concept. Residents vote to elect members of Council and the Council makes decisions that directly affect our lives and our environment. These members are expected to follow the will of the voters when making decisions.

The challenge to this concept is that when Council members forge a disconnect between their constituents and their decisions, the concept does not work as intended.

The lure of political influence, monetary gain, favored treatment for friends and business associates can corrupt the integrity of a representative government.

Several members of council and staff will be in Tallahassee this week, at taxpayers’ expense, attempting to present the needs and will of their constituents.

Taxpayers also fund trips to the League of City conferences. I assume, at these conferences the agenda of the residents is voiced to the other members of the League.

Residents also contract lobbyists to support and implement the Village agenda with our elected officials in Tallahassee. We have been doing this for over a decade. What are the tangible results of these meetings for local taxpayers? We have received generic reports on common issues shared by Marathon and Monroe County.

The residents expect Islamorada staff and council, the League of Cities, Village lobbyists, Monroe County officials, are all onboard with Village 2026 legislative priorities and will be influencing the Florida legislature and producing results for Village residents.

Are the will and agenda of the residents being presented? Do we ever get a detailed trip report specifying what was accomplished, discussed and what initiatives are proceeding?

Networking is essential but at some point it needs to bear fruit.

Property Taxes! Florida legislature is finally having the conversation homeowners have been begging for: tax relief. The state seems ready to direct the effort toward the phasing out of non-school property taxes on homesteaded homes.

This is extremely important for working families, seniors, and long-time residents who are being taxed out of their own homes.

Some folks have characterized the Village as “a Village of rich people.” This insults those residents who work hard to put their children through school and pay the high cost of living we have fallen into with poor decision-making.

Tax relief only works if government spending is brought under control. That means reducing expenses to balance tax reductions.

Will the Islamorada elected officials and staff members be fighting for their citizens this week? Or will they be fighting against tax reform in order to ignore the “reducing expenses” part of the tax relief effort?

If property taxes are reduced, will our elected officials simply find replacement revenue sources without any real attempt to reduce unnecessary expenses?

We need to conduct real operational audits on programs and personnel costs. Numerous programs or positions have been overcome by events. They have achieved their goals or have failed. It’s called “good money after bad.” That is where any meaningful cost savings starts.

You cannot promise lower taxes while continuing business as usual. We cannot continue to give our local government a blank check. We deserve fair taxes, honest budgets, competitive bidding, public participation, and responsible government.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) came about to help eliminate wasteful spending. In our newsletters, we have repeatedly suggested they should head our way. The Village has resisted? Why?

Last week DOGE put out a report showing their findings in a dozen Florida communities. They concluded that there were unreasonable increases in taxes without any corresponding increase in population.

DOGE auditors would have a field day here. Islamorada property taxes have increased from $11.5 million to $18.3 million in the last 5 years while the population has decreased slightly, now a population of about 7,200 with a hefty property tax total.

Does the League of Cities get the point of tax relief? Their 2026 Legislative Platform: “Reducing or eliminating this revenue (homestead property tax) without a reasonable replacement would destabilize city budgets, threaten city creditworthiness, and undermine local priorities.”

We do not agree and I question their logic.

The League should perhaps concentrate on showing cities how to reduce inefficiencies and waste by supporting Florida DOGE efforts.

On another note, are critical issues being addressed currently overwhelming needed oversight?

The Village should encourage substantial and meaningful public engagement with all of the issues that are currently in the works – charter revisions, comp plan upgrades, wastewater EDU count adjustments. The budget season is coming as well.

Our guiding documents are crucial to our long-term vision for the Village. In essence, shouldn’t the community want to feel like we are being represented aggressively relative to our agenda and needs.

We should, undoubtedly favor the proposed tax relief… and work to cut expenses.

Talk to us? Should the Village do surveys relevant to taxes and our local budget, the community’s critical needs, growth, affordability? Make an effort to take the pulse of the community.

We need to steer this ship in the right direction.

Let’s be leaders!

Tom Raffanello

Tid Bits:

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:51:08 GMT

Southcliff Estates affordable housing at MM95: rents reduced by County commission for the second time. The County purchased the 18 one-bedroom units on 6/30/25 for $7,310,900 but has not found any tenants yet. Originally listed for $2995/month, the “affordable” apartments, have now been reduced for the second time, to $1,900/month. Click here for details

Tubby’s Creek Bridge on Card Sound Road is scheduled for replacement starting Feb. 9, 2026. Beginning Mar 9, the bridge will remain one lane with alternating traffic for the 18-month duration of the project. Click here for details.

A slow speed/minimum wake area throughout Tavernier Creek was approved by Monroe County, with Holly Raschein dissenting. Tavernier Creek is within the Village and the Village Council requested the change. The creek includes two blind bends and two blind intersections. The swift currents, limited visibility and increased vessel traffic have created potential safety hazards. Raschein feels enforcement will be “questionable.” Brings up an interesting question on effectiveness of enforcement efforts throughout the village.

Vacation Rental Numbers in Islamorada: The limit - 331 licenses are allowed. In 2025 there were 265 licenses issued by midsummer. For 2026 - to date just 228 licensed. Are there fewer short-term rentals or more enforcement shortfalls leading to property owners saving the $1325 license fee?

Old church property at 83250 owned by the Village, though not on the market, as far as we know. But the Village received a Letter of IntentJan 16, 2026 from a potential buyer interested in acquiring the property. We understand this potential buyer is not the only interested party. We had hoped a public meeting would be scheduled to discuss the plans for the future use of several Village properties. No meeting has been scheduled yet. Government in the Sunshine? We expect transparency.

Cost of Sewer Service and EDUs: After numerous requests, we finally received the current EDU counts and water consumption reports via public record request. It is no wonder the Wastewater Enterprise fund is not self-sustaining as required.

Hopefully the EDU counts will be appropriately adjusted - and residents, visitors and businesses will do a better job conserving water in the future.

Total FKAA water meter accounts: 4678; Listed as Single Family: 3568

# of properties that used more water than the 157 gal/day/EDU: 1798. Some used many times their current EDU count would suggest. We noticed that it appears the 157 gal/day standard applied as the basis of an EDU, what the average single family home uses, is significantly higher than the typical water consumption. Are single family homeowners subsidizing the non-residential properties, resorts and restaurants?

Florida Keys Days: Several members of Council and staff are attending events and meeting with elected officials and various Florida Departments to discuss Village issues. How does this work with the Sunshine Law? See notice as a public meeting.

It’s Cold Here!

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:45:27 GMT

Wind chills fell into the 20s in the Upper Keys with “record-challenging cold.”

“Warming Center” provided on Plantation Key by Monroe County for people to spend the night out of the cold! Click here for details.
Falling Iguanas: Because of the extreme cold, if iguanas start falling out of trees an executive order allows you to bag them up (alive) and turn them in to FWC. Click here for the Executive Order

Duration and extreme cold weather: a deadly combination in 2010 caused widespread mortality among native and exotic wildlife: pythons and iguanas were at risk but also manatees, sea turtles, crocodiles, and numerous fish species, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study.
Crop growers across South Florida are working to protect their plants…. and our fresh food supply!!!

Village Comprehensive Plan Update:

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:41:49 GMT

Able City East was selected on 10/11/2024 by the Village Council as the professional consultant that would assist with the update of the Village Comprehensive Plan.

After numerous requests, the Islamorada Community Alliance finally was able to get the draft of the new Comprehensive Plan last week.

11 Critical Elements: A municipal comprehensive plan is one of the most important documents that governs a municipality and its future. The Islamorada draft plan includes 11 elements including Land Use, Transportation, Housing, etc. with goals and policies associated with each element.

Suggestion: Each of the 11 elements warrants a separate public workshop and thorough public review.

The document is 284 pages long and includes approximately 700 suggested policies for the community to adopt… some policies from the current comp plan, approximately 200 new policies. The public review process is critical.

Involve the Public as promised: In the draft, following the 11 elements, is a section: Public Process. We wonder why this isn’t on page 1.

Committees can help. At the most recent Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee meeting, they discussed possible changes to the Comp Plan. Why weren’t all Village citizen committees provided the draft of the Comp Plan so they could review the sections related to their committee work?

No loopholes!

See the explanation of the importance of the public in the passage below. The plan must align with the needs and values of our community. Let’s make sure there are no loopholes that provide benefit to some residents, not all, contrary to the public vision.

The timeline - 12 months from start to approval by the Village Council. We are past the 12 months and appear to be far from the finish line.Click here for the timeline.

Draft Recommendation for Island Silver and Spice property:

“The property represents a prime Village owned parcel for redevelopment into affordable and workforce housing. Policies adopted in the Comprehensive Plan call for the reuse of publicly owned land to advance housing goals, and this site is a clear opportunity to deliver results.”

Draft Recommendation for the Fills:

Objective 8-2.2: Increase supportive amenities and infrastructure at The Fills that enhance user comfort, safety, and environmental resilience.

In future newsletters, watch for other suggested Comp Plan goals and policies. And remember to speak up.

Let us know if you want a peak at the DRAFT of the Comp Plan from Able City East.

Don’t miss this great event! February 8th:

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:39:31 GMT

All Keys Cycles will be at the Florida Bay Forever Rummage Sale and Makers Market on Sunday giving away free bike helmets for kids, adults, and community members.

Don’t miss Monty Python‛s Edukational Show:

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:37:35 GMT

A fast-paced comedy that brings iconic sketches from Monty Python‛s Flying Circus to the stage by The Key Players! Performances are at the Murray Nelson Cultural Center, MM102.

Quote of the Week:

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:36:25 GMT

One of the best ways to achieve justice is to expose injustice.

Julian Assange

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:01:36 GMT

We have watched as Islamorada’s cost of living has caused too many friends pack up and head for a more affordable location. They are typically replaced by new owners, often investors buying a second or third home or a vacation rental. We are left with fewer and fewer full-time residents.

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

Changing the Way we Govern? Village Charter Review:

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:57:22 GMT

As the 7 members of the newly appointed committee entered the meeting room, one by one, the first to take a seat - Local Land Use Attorney, Ty Harris, promptly sitting in the center seat as if predestined to be elected by committee members as chairman. He was. Susan Raffanello, was elected Vice Chairman.

The seven-member committee: Harris, Raffanello, Richard Black, Joe Roth, Lorie LaLonde, Roger Young and Craig McBay.

The meeting was short. Just one member of the public was in attendance.

The next meeting will be Monday February 9, at 5:30, Islamorada Community Center. The topics - Section 5 (Village Council) and 8 (Elections) of the charter, what the committee seemed to believe are the most important sections.

The charter review committee is extremely important as they are tasked with finding possible improvements to the Village Charter, our “Constitution” and the way our government works!

Perhaps instead of tackling what the committee perceives to be the most critical portions, members should first take a look at what other Florida communities have in their charters.

The Village Charter is just 14 pages long - Click here. Then check the charter for Key West. Or other South Florida communities who have created a document that provides clear direction for the future of the town.

In the short first meeting, the members enumerated the changes they thought should be discussed. Things like the current height restriction, council compensation, at large elections, council terms. Many of the same issues the voters are likely to reject?

The value and consequence of this committee’s effort should not be underestimated. Whatever is placed in the charter can only be placed there or removed by consent of registered voters on a secret ballot.

Changes should not be swayed based on the good, bad or indifference of the current council. The charter creates a long term roadmap. Changes to our charter can change the way our government works!

If you have issues that concern you about Village processes, this is the opportunity to discuss improvements. Show up and speak up.

The 2026 Florida Legislative Session is underway

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:54:39 GMT

Each Friday the Village has scheduled a zoom meeting with our lobbyists to get updated on issues of local concern. The Jan 23 meeting lasted less than 10 minutes, with Lobbyist Kate DeLoach providing the update and answering any questions. There were no questions.

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.

Managing Village Properties:

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:51:28 GMT

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!

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.

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.

Is there a buyer? Is it CVS - we could trade? Is it Publix? A liquor store? Don’t make us guess.

We want Government in the Sunshine

Let’s schedule a public meeting!

And the ribbon was cut!

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:49:19 GMT

What a special event was put together for the dedication of the Mangrove Mike’s Memorial Dog Park at Founders Park! Sharon Mahoney, with the help of Mike’s longtime friends, shown in the ribbon cutting ceremony, made it a day to remember with stories of the man who made such a difference in Islamorada.

Water, Water, everywhere?

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:43:58 GMT

Or is there a looming fresh water supply shortage — something that once seemed impossible for Florida.

And who really cares about conservation? We found one young 10-year-old who understands and cares…Juniper Wood, a born and raised Keys Kid. Juniper won an award from the Florida Keys Aqueduct for her artwork, "Water is Life." Way to go Juniper!

Quote of the Week:

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:40:59 GMT

Remember Bess Myerson? (July 16, 1924 – December 14, 2014) She was Miss America in 1945. Later an American politician, model, and television actress, Myerson made frequent television appearances during the 1950s and 1960s. She was a commissioner in the New York City government, served on presidential commissions from the 1960s through the 1980s, and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate.

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:26:19 GMT

Earlier this month, the Village Council passed a resolution to establish a Charter Review Committee. They’ll recommend changes to our 25-year-old Village Charter.

This review was a campaign promise of Don Horton’s and others, during the campaign in 2024. Now 14 months later, after the important village work was completed, i.e. dealing with several million dollars worth of property purchased with no exit plan; naming streets and parks, we are ready to go.

In addition to the committee itself, the council voted to have the manager provide a meeting facilitator (unnamed) for the review committee and someone at the League of Cities will be used to “tweak” the charter changes.

So now 14 months into the current term the charter review becomes a predicament with a short deadline. The hastily put together committee of seven residents must figure out what is best for the long-term benefit of our community.

The deadline for submission of recommended changes is May 31st. In this village, it is going to have to move at the speed of sound. A rapid review process follows with readings by council at multiple public meetings. It is then submitted to the Supervisor of Elections, post haste, to get satisfactory recommendations on the November ballot.

This is warp speed for any municipality. Most communities take well over a year to do a thorough charter review.

The importance of the charter, strategic plan and comp plan has been ignored.

None of these critical documents has been energetically pursued.

Two days after the council resolution the council appointed seven residents to serve on the committee: Ty Harris, Richard Black, Roger Young, Lori LaLonde, Susan Raffanello, Craig McBay, Joe Roth. (Heavy participation by Chamber members)

In my experience, it is always preferred to get the background on those applying for important, potentially game changing decisions. We hope they all are prepared to put in serious effort, not just interested in adding a new entry on their resume.

We find it confusing that the Village has a rather detailed application process for other citizen committees (Boards & Committees Applications | Islamorada, FL).

Astonishingly, for this critical committee, interested residents simply had to send their name to the clerk for consideration – no qualifications needed. Do “good ol’ boy/girl” politics prevail in our village?

The first Village Charter Review Committee meeting has been scheduled for Monday, Jan 26, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. A second meeting is scheduled for two days later, Jan 28, same time and place.

During Council discussion, there were numerous comments suggesting that the Council wants to consider amendments the public wants enacted. The importance of public participation was frequently reiterated.

We urge the public to get fully engaged in the process.

There were 10 residents who submitted their names, but were not selected: John Cioffi, Mark Cockerham, Greg Dully, Elizabeth Jolin, Bernie LaPira, Sue Miller, Jerry O’Cathey, Lesley Rhyne, Marilyn Smith, John Lentini.

We strongly suggest that those who expressed interest and submitted their names should absolutely become involved in the process and contribute their ideas to the committee.

A Charter is often a rather humdrum document with standard language- legal description of the municipality, number of seats on council, terms, and qualifications of the council, their responsibilities, form of government (in our case council-manager.) and then “General Provisions” that can be more village specific.

Why is this Charter so important? The charter is the town bible and can only be changed by the voters – not staff, and not by the council. The Charter is where we should put the important guidance.Provisions to protect the environment, citizens and their wallets and quality of life go here!

Prior amendments submitted for voter approval:

Height Restriction: Back in 2007 the 35’ height restriction was added to the charter after months and months of campaigning to assure voters understood this amendment would prevent a Miami Beach look along the shores of Islamorada.

Council pay: The council cannot increase their own pay - their compensation is part of our Charter. Voters here have rejected pay increases for Council more than once.

Issues expected to be considered by the newly appointed review committee:

Instead of candidates running for a specific seat, the charter could be amended to declare the top five voter getters the winners
The two-year terms should not be changed. (it has been rejected by voters previously)
Elections could be staggered so either 2 or 3 council positions would be decided in an annual election instead of all 5 so we’d never have a council that is all new like what happened in 2020.
Candidates could run for mayor and emphasize their qualifications. Voters should decide this position.

We hope the Charter Review Committee is conscientious, creative and spends time looking at other city charters around South Florida. We did. We found some interesting provisions that could be considered in Islamorada.

Here’s a couple:

Key West land acquisition: “Acquisition of real property for public parks, recreation, affordable housing, or civic buildings may be by a vote of a supermajority of the City Commission. Annexation, or acquisition of real property for any other purpose, may only be by a vote of the electors of the City.”

Key Colony Beach Clerk (and many other municipalities): TheClerk is a charter officer along with attorney and manager – “There shall be a City Clerk who shall be appointed by the City Commission. The City Clerk shall perform such duties as are assigned by the City Commission.”

Cutler Bay (Incorporated in 2005) Citizens Bill of Rights: “This government has been created to protect the governed, not the governing. In order to provide the public with full and accurate information, to promote efficient administration management, to make government more accountable, and to ensure to all persons fair and equitable treatment, the following rights are guaranteed.” (14 rights of citizens spelled out )

Cutler Bay Council vacancy: “If six months or more remain in the unexpired term, a special election to fill that vacancy shall be held no later than 90 days following the occurrence of the vacancy.”

Cutler Bay Disclosure of Campaign contributions by vendors: “Any vendor who directly or through a member of the person's immediate family or through a political action committee or through any other person makes a campaign contribution to a candidate who is elected mayor, vice-mayor or council member, shall be required to disclose said contribution and if said Vendor fails to disclose he/she/it shall be barred from selling any product or service to the town for a period of two years following the swearing in of the subject.”

We encourage the committee members to do the hard work and remember their obligation to the residents and environment.

We will re-visit this process as it goes forward.

Participate!!

Tom Raffanello

Click here to read the Charter.

Where’s Buddy? He’s Mayor again:

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:17:49 GMT

Click here

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

The 2026 Florida Legislative Session is underway

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:13:14 GMT

The regular session runs 60 days from Jan 13 till Mar 13.

Affordability seems to be the critical issue that faces the 2026 Legislature, based on headlines in newspapers all around the state of Florida.

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.

Cost of living in Florida:

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:10:25 GMT

According to the results of its latest poll, Florida Atlantic University’s Business and Economic Polling Initiative, just under 50% of Floridians are "seriously considering" moving due to the rising cost of living. Housing affordability is the major concernwith 80% of respondents.

And there is probably no place in Florida worse than the Florida Keys for housing for working families and people on fixed income, as we transition from a great place to raise kids to a great place for wealthy homeowners looking for luxury vacation homes, and for vacationing families to rent homes once occupied by full time residents.

Have we become a tax shelter for the wealthy? According to the Property Appraiser’s website, 55 properties in Islamorada have been sold in the last 12 months for $2 million or more; 30 over $3 million.

While many longtime residents may be moving from the Keys, Islamorada continues to gain new residents and wealth at a remarkable pace.

Will we always have available workers? Is this a sustainable trend?

LAST STAND - working diligently since 1987.

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:02:43 GMT

Last Stand is an organization that promotes quality of life in the Keys by opposing overdevelopment that stresses the environment, impacts residents’ daily lives, and strains the critical infrastructure upon which we all rely.

Our own Councilman, Steve Friedman, will be a featured speaker at their annual meeting Feb 3.

A great Keys wide organization - Click here to join.

Rideshare FDOT Grant extended:

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:00:09 GMT

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.

Rummage Sale and Maker's Market, Sunday February 8th!

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:51:01 GMT

There will be a Rummage Sale and Maker's Market on Sunday February 8th at the Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve. 81224 Overseas Highway, Islamorada. 10am to 2pm. Family friendly, food truck, snow cones, raffles and kid-friendly activities! Explore this hidden local gem, walk the trails, and help keep gently used items out of the landfill. Also support local creators!!

Photo of the Week:

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:47:14 GMT

Loving all the new trees along the highway from MM75 - MM81. Thank you FDOT!

Quote of the Week

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:44:54 GMT

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello: Islamorada’s Property Management

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:20:03 GMT

I was recently advised that the Village of Islamorada owns 128 properties in the Keys!

We own 105 within village limits (why do we keep property outside the Village?)

Congratulations taxpayers - you are amongst the largest land barons in Monroe County! Total value estimate - a several hundred million dollars!

A PLAN?

Is there a plan for these valuable pieces of property? I have to ask - who manages our holdings? What is our long/short term plan?

Take a look at some of our Village owned properties:

Island Silver and Spice: The Village bought the property in the heart of the business district, for $2,750,000 in 12/2021. We then demolished the retail store (assessed at almost $1 million). That was four years ago. What is the plan for that property?

Is it for sale or rent?

The old Island Community Church:

Purchased 8/12/24 for $3,995,000 and then leased it back to the church for 1 year, at no charge. Church services continued for the next six months, every Sunday.

We are told that engineers have safety issues with the building. I have also been told that one of the ideas for purchasing the church was to have a Village library. Libraries are a County function, not a municipal function. Buying a library site was not well thought out.

So here we are. A 4-million-dollar building, that may need repairs and has no functional use. How in the name of Ponce De Leon did this happen? Did we know it needed major repairs before we bought it?

Is anybody home? The $3,995,000 purchase of the 16,618 sq ft church structure - sitting vacant, waiting for a plan.

Machado Property: four single family lots on the highway at MM88.5, purchased 6/16/2021, for a combined total of $1.8 million, and expected to be used for affordable housing. No decision as to whether the housing will be Village owned, leased, or sold.

That encompasses three different Village Councils that have not made a decision on this potential affordable housing. During the campaign for office last year every sitting councilperson had affordable housing as their first priority. And a year has passed.

Somebody remind them. Can you say strategic plan?

Green Turtle Hammock: The Village acquired the property with the Rosenthal bay front home/pool, historic Russell Cottage, and a smaller office/storage building. The money came from a conservation grant of $4.7 million in 2006. The pool was demolished in 2011. Demolitions of the residence followed in 2020. Now the council has approved demolishing the smaller building, most recently used as a classroom. Through long term neglect it is now, infested with mold and has become unsafe.

Only the historic Russell Cottage, will remain. Along with the $1.8 million open air pavilion.

An avoidable shame? Did any of the demolitions occur due to improper long term maintenance? Who is responsible for these buildings and their care?

Founders Park: The treasured centerpiece of our community! Unfortunately, we still tolerate the unsightly Public Works equipment scattered around. The Village has listed an offsite public works facility as #1 priority for over ten years – I believe it is in our LAST strategic plan in 2017. Look it up.

Affordable Housing properties: The Village has acquired properties for affordable housing and provided long term leases to Habitat for Humanity and Gorman and Company, a builder based in Wisconsin.

The homes are deed restricted and required to be rented/sold to qualified tenants.

Annual audits were to be conducted to assure the occupants still qualify as to income. To my knowledge this hasn’t been done in a decade. These homes are for affordable housing, not long-term rent control.

Get to work!

The aforementioned properties are just a snapshot of our holdings. Shouldn’t Property Management for 128 properties owned by the residents be a top Village priority? They belong to us.

The Village needs to do a better analysis and have an end game for future property acquisition. The public comment and eventually a vote of no less than 4 council persons should be the rule for property acquisition. Three votes on Council should not rule on issues that cost over $1 million.

If the Village wants to buy or sell million-dollar properties, a public presentation with explanations as to why it is a benefit and what our plan is to dispose of the property if it should be required.

Residents want to know who manages our multimillion dollar real estate portfolio. The village needs to explain, in great detail, these multimillion-dollar real estate transactions. Now and in the future. IT'S OUR MONEY!

Tom Raffanello

Resolution opposing offshore oil drilling -

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:17:47 GMT

It was refreshing to see the Council and the public in full agreement about the importance of taking a stand by telling the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to prioritize the protection of coastal economies and ecosystems by excluding new offshore oil and gas leases off the Florida coast. The resolution passed opposing the offshore oil drilling with a unanimous 5-0 vote!

Village “Status Update” is coming back

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:16:22 GMT

after being missing for the last 8 months! It provides a comprehensive list of projects the Council directed the staff to do with dates and current status. This report kept the Council and the residents informed about ongoing projects, improving transparency. Thank you for bringing it back.

Baseball:

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:14:07 GMT

Finally Council approved a Baseball License Agreement for the Founders Park field! The School Board has already signed one that is slightly different than the Village version, but hopefully they will accept our version.

Click here to read the agreement - redline version showing Village changes.

Strategic Planning

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:12:01 GMT

Finally the Council discussed the need for a Strategic Plan. Manager Saunders provided the Council members with a copy of the Monroe County plan. Click here to see the Monroe County Strategic Plan.

Charter Review Committee

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:08:57 GMT

Last Tuesday the Village Council passed a resolution establishing a Charter Review Committee to provide recommendations regarding possible changes to the Islamorada Charter. On Thursday Council appointed seven residents to serve on the committee. Each member of Council appointed one member. Two members were elected by majority vote of council.

Selections by Council Members:

Mayor Don Horton: Ty Harris

Vice Mayor Mahoney: Richard Black

Anna Richard: Roger Young

Deb Gillis: Lori LaLonde

Steve Friedman: Susan Raffanello

At Large members:

Craig McBay

Joe Roth

The Committee is expected to meet at least once a month. The deadline is May 31, 2026, for the committee to approve a final report advising the Village Council of any proposed amendments.

All meetings will be open to the public. Be sure to watch for notices of the committee meetings. Public engagement will be critical. The charter equates to a Village constitution. Not only does it provide the governing procedures, it can provide critical regulations that cannot be altered except through a referendum requiring a vote of Village registered voters. (Example - the village 35’ height restriction is in the charter and cannot be changed by Council vote.)

Click here to read the Charter.

Huge TIKI

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:07:09 GMT

Huge TIKI on SD Marine property, bayside along Snake Creek - wonder about it? We’ve been wondering too!

Almost 3 years ago a Major Conditional Use Permit was approved by council following a lengthy public hearing. The conditional use allowed for the construction of 4 restaurants with a total of 13,511 square feet, 12-Unit Hotel/Motel, 30-Slip Docking Facility, a 180 square foot bait house.

This new, nearly 5,000 sq ft tiki, is to be restaurant seating (100 seats) for a mobile food truck according to the site plan submitted last summer. Is this site plan a replacement for the 2023 site plan, or a Phase 1 that potentially needs council approval? According to code, any restaurant over 5000 sq ft requires a public hearing. While the tiki is listed in the site plan as a 4,975 sq ft restaurant- what about a food truck instead of a kitchen for a 100-seat restaurant. Just a way to avoid a public hearing?

Do you have a Keys Story to Tell?

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:03:45 GMT

Palmheart Press is currently accepting entries for their upcoming anthology: The Chain: Connection in the Florida Keys, demonstrating the bond between people here and our environment. If you have a story to tell - this is a great opportunity to write - no professional experience needed, just a love of nature in the Keys.

The anthology will be a collection of poems or short stories, by different writers, all residents of the Keys. The book, up to 150 pages, will be available for purchase locally and on Amazon. Folks with a love for our environment are encouraged to submit their own literary “masterpiece.” All sales proceeds will be donated to Florida Bay Forever! A great way to help an important local organization.

Art Under the Oaks

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:00:55 GMT

Saturday January 17th - 9am to 4pm San Pedro Church Gardens. Free admission - parking onsite with a $5 donation.

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance: Strategic Planning

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:44:14 GMT

Every successful entity produces and executes a Strategic Plan. In my experience they are usually reviewed annually.

During the last election every candidate spoke about the importance of implementing and following a Village Strategic Plan.

As of today, none of the Village Council members elected 14 months ago has discussed or said the words “strategic plan.” I write it off to the “I will say anything to get elected” posture of several of our council members.

Just last week I listed a dozen issues that could be the starting point for the village to launch a successful and productive 2026. A follower of our newsletters and property owner in Islamorada commented that much of the list looked like the start of a Strategic Plan.

What a compliment.

The list is sound organizational advice that our village should adopt. But is it a bad idea because it comes from the ICA?

Some may feel that way, but good ideas are there to be stolen and applied by our government to improve our village no matter who comes up with the ideas.

My list last week was intended to be the beginning of goal setting, a “to do list” for 2026. Click here to look at my suggested goals for 2026.

The last official Islamorada Strategic Plan was approved in 2017. In the very first paragraph the Plan stated:

“The Strategic Plan is intended as a guiding document to be utilized for annual goal-setting, budgeting, and evaluation processes to direct the Village’s actions, investments, and engagements with partners.”

Now let’s talk about Strategic Planning.

The Village 2017 Strategic Plan has 30 goals listed in order of priority. The ratifying vote to determine priority ranking consisted of 15 staff and 5 council members.

Why this heavy disparity? Staff should have input but not the majority of the votes.

They were not elected by residents, and most do not reside in the village. Last I heard, the residents are to be in charge of their government through elected officials.

The 2017 Plan is full of serious flaws not in sync with current Village needs. Yet a new or updated Strategic Plan has not been discussed or produced. It was mentioned by Elizabeth Jolin several years ago, but got no traction or support.

The last goal, Goal #30 in the 2017 plan, was implemented quickly :

“Transition from contracted to in-house wastewater operations and maintenance services.”

That has proven to be a huge multi-million-dollar mistake. This decision needs to be reversed.

I look at Council meetings and think “these guys/gals have no direction.” They often seem to be running a rudderless ship.

A vetted Strategic Plan would provide current goals and direction to all the village personnel and elected officials.

If I were a betting man, and I am, I would wager that most of the current council and current staff have never seen the 2017 Strategic Plan even though it is available on the Village website.

Click here to see the 2017 plan. The top priority back 9 years ago – a place for public works. We are still working on it.

There is no need to hire a contractor to help with a Strategic Plan and push this off another year or two. We make the mistake of contracting plans at the drop of a hat.

The Monroe County Strategic Plan could be adopted by the Village as is. It is a generic plan that prioritizes critical goals. Same goals we all have in the Keys.

Using strategic plan goals, annual goal-setting could then establish a “to do list” and budgeting to accomplish the goals.

Monroe County made their strategic plan simple and clear. It has just three categories:

Quality of life,
The environment
The economy.

It lists areas of concern and priorities in each category. Period. A concise list any local government in the Keys could use that would guide to specific annual goal-setting.

Click here to see the Monroe County Strategic Plan.

We certainly need a replacement for the 2017 plan - a precise set of goals that can be used to prioritize the village agenda. And there should be no doubt… the new plan must be in the best interests of Village residents.

Council… do the job you were elected to do.

Tom Raffanello

January 6 and January 8 Council Agendas

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:42:25 GMT

When is the last time we had a 111-page agenda for a Tuesday council meeting? Just a couple reports, the consent agenda, and a single resolution to be considered. For months and months typical agendas have been 600 to 900 pages.

And just 241 pages in the Thursday Land Use agenda…. including the 70-page outdated September 2007 Workforce Housing Support Study we see, sometimes multiple times, in Land Use agendas, included to demonstrate a dire need for workforce housing - and justification to approve more growth. But a 20-year-old report - surely things are not the same as they were then.

What’s Missing? Based on the minutes from the December Council meeting, we expected to see:

the Founders Park Baseball Field License Agreement with the School Board, but the design seems to be progressing without an agreement
Plan for Transferable Development Rights Registry
RFP/RFQ for Village paid parking
RFP/RFQ for Workforce housing at the Machado property at MM88.5

And these are just items discussed in December.

Resolution opposing offshore oil drilling

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:40:06 GMT

is on the consent agenda at Tuesday’s Council meeting and not expected to require discussion. We question, as does Councilman Steve Friedman, why this critical issue is on the consent agenda. It must be openly discussed to assure the public is aware of the possibility and concern.

Islamorada must take a stand by telling the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to prioritize the protection of coastal economies, communities, and ecosystems by excluding new offshore oil and gas leases from the final leasing program.

Village “Status Update”

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:37:34 GMT

previously referred to as the “After Action Report” was once included in every Village Council meeting agenda. It provided a comprehensive list of projects the Council directed the staff to work on with dates and current status.

This report kept the Council and the residents informed about ongoing projects. A great tool, improving transparency. Let’s bring it back in 2026! Click here to see the most recent report we could find.

From the Monroe County Public Libraries!

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:35:16 GMT

Today they thought our readers would be interested in this 1950 photo of Indian Key Fill! We cannot imagine Indian Key Fill looking like this 75 years ago.

Thank you Nancy Klingener, Community Affairs Manager, Monroe County Public Library

Charter Review Committee

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:32:00 GMT

Tomorrow (today) Village Council will consider a resolution establishing a Charter Review Committee to provide recommendations regarding possible changes to the Islamorada Charter.

The resolution proposes that each Council member would appoint one member to the committee, and the remaining two committee members would be selected by a majority vote of the Council.

The Committee is expected to meet at least once a month, and all meetings will be open to the public. The plan is to have a deadline of May 31, 2026, to prepare a final report advising the Village Council of any proposed amendments.

What is the Village Charter: The charter is like our constitution… it defines governance structure, powers, and operational procedures. It outlines the roles of elected officials, including the mayor and village council members, and establishes processes for enacting laws, levying taxes, and managing budgets.

In the last 25 years the Islamorada Charter has been amended several times - changing Council terms from 4 years to 2 years; limiting council members to a total of 8 years on council, increasing Council compensation from $300/mo to $1000/mo; changing election of council from March to November; adding a 35’ height restriction.

Click here to see the Village Charter.

The impact of Charter provisions can be significant and must be carefully thought out. Many question the process the Villages is using to do a charter review. Experience and expertise are required to properly sift through the opportunities to improve the charter. The selection of the committee members is critical.

Vacancy on Workforce Affordable Housing Committee

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:30:25 GMT

Congratulations Frank Derfler on an excellent application to fill a vacancy on this committee (provided to council in the agenda for Tuesday), clearly demonstrating that his knowledge, experience and expertise will be invaluable.

Dedication of the Dog Park at Founders Park in Honor of Mike Forster

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:26:43 GMT

“Mangrove Mike”

10/21/1960 - 9/6/2021

The Village of Islamorada and the United Way of Collier and the Keys, invites the community to the dedication of the Dog Park at Founders Park to honor Mike Forster.

This will be quite the family event… bring your kids and dogs to gather at Founders Park to share a special time as friends honor the legacy of Mangrove Mike Forster and contributions he made to our community.

Mike’s dogs - Henry and Ms. Joy will be honored guests! The Italian Food Company is providing people food while Village firefighter, Heidi, is providing organic dog treats.

The event is free but please bring non-perishable food donations to support local food pantries.

For questions, please contact Sharon Mahoney at 305-304-5262.

Dedication of the Dog Park at Founders Park in Honor of Mike Forster

January 18

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Mike’s dogs: Henry and Ms Joy, as puppies, the day he brought them home

Just wondering why this happened?

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:24:52 GMT

There are officially 12 days of Village Hall office closures and employee observed holidays each year, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day. But during the recent holiday season, it seemed those days were expanded to include, New Year’s Eve, December 26, and January 2.

Photo of the Week:

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:14:10 GMT

Photo of the Week:

Who recognizes this well-known place in Islamorada as it was 30 years ago… 1996?

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance: Hope for the new year

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:23:36 GMT

As a village we start every year with the hope that the coming year will be better than the last.

We must keep our vision clear and our voices strong.

This should be the goal of all Islamorada residents.

If we adhere to our values we will accomplish our goals.

Our efforts will create a lasting impact and renewed energy to complete the projects ignored and put aside because they are hard to resolve.

May our advocacy inspire fairness, our persistence open doors in the face of difficult challenges.

Our agenda for 2026 - getting our critical concerns addressed:

Improved public engagement – a full house at every critical council meeting with loads of valuable and insightful public comment. For this to be accomplished residents must be educated on issues and be energized.
Complete and activate the Comp Plan revisions that make our regulations current and more protective of our environment and residents.
We must review our Village charter – it should be a collaborative community project to deal with elections and other items overcome by events.
Implement the Wastewater System’s critical fixes with fair cost allocations to assure proactive maintenance. We have emergencies much too frequently.
Should we even be operating and maintaining the wastewater system worth hundreds of million of dollars? Put out an RFP to find a qualified operator. We must get competitive proposals.
Find an appropriate place for public works equipment. This issue has been at the top of our master plan for years with no results. Time to get all the equipment out of Founders Park and out of our precious hammock preserves.
Devise and implement a plan for using or divesting of village owned properties: $8.5 million spent on old church property, Island Silver and Spice and Machado property. We purchased these properties with no end game. A series of poor decisions.
Workforce housing – is it even realistic or just a talking point for developers looking for concessions on their projects?
Addressing traffic congestion. we just ignore the traffic surveys that the Chamber and their minions don’t like and just keep on growing.
Our government officials should insist on a Florida DOGE review. It would help residents understand our budget. Expected result: more transparency and efficiency. Who would fight it? What are we hiding?
We should be insulted by those who claim we are a rich community and can afford an $85 million annual budget? Arrogance on speed. Reason to bring in Florida DOGE.
Why don’t we follow our local and state purchasing regulations as to competitive bidding – assuring we get the best products and services at a competitive price. Examples – our ride share service may be great for those using it – provided at over $500,000 of taxpayer money without ever having been competitively bid. $108,000 for lobbyists – no competitive bid. Wastewater services – millions to a single contractor without competition. This is wrong. And expensive?
Equal enforcement of code. Why do we play favorites and use code violations for intimidation and retaliation?

Here’s to a year where truth speaks loudly, unity grows stronger, and careful unbiased collaboration guides every decision—because our work today shapes tomorrow’s Islamorada community.

Stay strong! Be involved.

Tom Raffanello

An Untimely Water Outage: Christmas Day

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:21:07 GMT

At just after 4 PM Christmas Day, the FKAA notified customers via Facebook that their crews would be working through the night to fix the leak and restore water pressure. Thank you to those employees who gave up holiday time to help tens of thousands of customers.

The Christmas Day pipeline leak was a significant incident that caused a drop in water pressure from Islamorada to Key West. FKAA announced a precautionary boil water notice for all homes and businesses in the affected areas. The boil water notice was in effect until noon Sunday.

The leak was a transmission main break at MM87. While the new pipeline is in the ground on Plantation Key, it is not yet in use.

While little information has been provided by FKAA it is usually during the busiest times when the pipeline leaks occur. In the past we have been told the leaks are a result of the pipeline being near its capacity to provide sufficient water during busy times. The water is under pressure to force it to the furthest locations in Key West.

Lessons learned - concerns remain. The new pipeline project, 130 miles of 36” pipe, is expected to take about 15 years. So far the pipe has been installed on Upper Matecumbe and Windley Key. Plantation Key is progressing ahead of schedule. When Plantation Key is completed, about 12 miles of the 130 miles of pipeline will be completed at a cost of about $10 million per mile.

The Winner is: FKAA for Best Tap Water in the State

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:18:16 GMT

While many customers were wondering about the details of the critical pipeline leak on Christmas Day and the boil water notice, little information was disseminated. The FKAA offices were closed for 5 days from Tuesday at 5 PM until Monday at 8 AM. On Saturday they did manage to post a notice that they had won a competition for the best drinking water in Florida.

The Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) has a “Best of the Best” Tap Water Taste Contest where regional winners in Florida compete against each other. Samples are judged on taste, color, odor, and clarity. The judging is not scientific. Ironic that the FKAA “Best Tap Water in the State” Award was announced while most of the customers were under a boil water notice.

South Florida Water Shortage -

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:16:05 GMT

water, water, everywhere, BUT will we have enough drinking water!

Climate change, development boom, and over exploitation of groundwater are draining the Sunshine State. And frequent water leaks? Especially hard hit is South Florida.

We can no longer take our water supply for granted. Sea

levels in coastal regions have already risen greatly in the last few decades, pushing salt water into groundwater, expensive to treat to make it “potable.”

Kermit H Lewin Stock Island

Desalinization Plant, creating water safe to drink from salt water

And think of all the continual growth in the Homestead area - using the same water source we use.

As an island community we have plenty of salt water. There seems to be a plan to build more desalination plants in the Keys to create potable water from salt water. But desalinization plants have significant environmental impacts, including harm to marine ecosystems, high energy consumption, and the production of concentrated brine, which can disrupt local habitats.

Perhaps the better solution is controlling the volume of water through controlling growth and through conservation of the resource. The amount of water used per single family home has increased dramatically in recent years.

Islamorada Rate Study: The Village EDU study currently underway will demonstrate just how much potable water the average single-family home uses now compared to the 157 gal/day that was documented in Islamorada 20 years ago.

Charter Review Committee

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:13:01 GMT

On Jan 6, Village Council will consider a resolution establishing a Charter Review Committee to provide recommendations regarding possible changes to the Charter.

The resolution would create a seven-member Committee. Those appointed must be voters in the Village. It is proposed that each Councilmember would appoint one member to the committee, and the remaining two members would be selected by a majority vote of the Council.

Any recommendations must first be approved by the Council and then placed on the November 2026 ballot for approval by a majority of Islamorada voters.

In the last 25 years the Village Charter has been amended numerous times - changing Council terms from 4 years to 2 years; limiting council members to a total of 8 years on council, increasing Council compensation from $300/month to $1000/month; changing election of council from March to November, adding a 35’ height restriction.

Islamorada residents interested in serving on the Charter Review Committee should contact individual Council members or submit an email to the Village Clerk at clerk@islamorada.fl.us. Hopefully there will be dedicated individuals, who reflect Islamorada’s diverse community, willing to volunteer their time, knowledge, ideas, and experiences by serving on the Charter Review Committee.

Click here to see the Village Charter.

David P Purdo

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:03:18 GMT

David P Purdo

March 21, 1941 — December 22, 2025

David was a police officer in Detroit Michigan from 1962 to 1977 before moving to Islamorada where he became a fixture as a boat captain and outspoken advocate for the community.

Dave served on the Islamorada affordable housing committee and eventually was elected to the Village Council, serving two terms. He is survived by daughters Patty and Kathy and two granddaughters along with Barbara Edgar and daughter Cinnamon.

Guided Bird Walk

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:00:17 GMT

Florida Bay Forever and the Wild Bird Center team up for a Guided Bird Walk!! Saturday January 10th, 8:30 am.

Islamorada Library Schedule:

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:54:58 GMT

Looking for books, DVDs and more? Stop by the Islamorada library. Check out the recent refresh while you're there.

The Library closes at 1 p.m. Wed, Dec 31, and will be closed on Thu, Jan 1.

You can find out more about the hours, events at more at keyslibraries.org. To learn how you can get eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming video and music, digital magazines and more any time, go to keyslibraries.org/online.

Get Challenged: Join Winter Olympic fun by participating in the Upper Keys Winter Olympics Reading Challenge. All ages are encouraged to participate. Register at the Islamorada Library and join the reading challenges throughout the month of January. Complete the selected reading activity or event and earn a Medal. Register now.

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance: So thankful

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:14:09 GMT

In the spirit of the Holiday Season and ‘good will to men”, I would like to speak to the blessings that we sometimes overlook in our special home and environment, the Village of Islamorada!

We should be proud of the organizations and individuals that ensure that Keys children have a present from Santa to open on Christmas morning. Heading the list is the wonderful work done by community organizations, such as the Angel Tree donations organized by our schools and churches, the Voices for Florida Keys Children, and Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney (and her helpers from our dedicated Fire Department). We thank you!

In Islamorada, we see magnificent colorful sunrises and sunsets that enrich, motivate and inspire us. In Islamorada, there is one stunning photo opportunity after another.

We are proud of the many native trees we’ve saved along with some open space for birds to land.

We are thankful for foresight of the previous Village Council member, Bob Johnson, for instituting our 35-foot building height. There is not enough space to speak about Bob Johnson’s legacy to our Village. We honor his memory.

We are thankful that the Village-wide referendum overwhelmingly voted to keep the term of the Village Council at two years. Referendums are the true voice of the village and should be utilized for all important fiscal and and life-style altering decisions. These important decisions should not be decided by three Village Council votes.

We have so many churches, large and small, for all to worship as they see fit.

Our rich history – symbolized by the Hurricane Monument in the center of town is now regaled in beautiful Christmas lights, a treat for all. Good decision, Village. Thanks, Henry.

Founders Park and the early vision of our first council and the continuing effort to keep this our amazing centerpiece. Resist the recommendations to turn it into an amusement park at a cost of $25 million or well more.

Islamorada – the home of four fabulous Florida State Parks, four of our many treasures.

A huge thank you to first responders - firefighters and deputies that keep us safe and healthy. And we must never forget our nurses, teachers and other vital workers that struggle to afford the high cost of living here to provide critical services.

Islamorada is known as the Sport fishing capital of the World. Fishermen who continue to make Islamorada the Sport fishing Capital of the World should be supported when it makes sense. They should have the ability to access the ramp at Founders Park in the early morning. This seems logical. No? We encourage the Village to make that change.

The Alligator Lighthouse – for its majestic beauty and fabulous fishing/snorkeling opportunities. Our annual Alligator Lighthouse swim is an Islamorada event that draws entries from near and far. We are so proud.

A community built around family values. We should never forget this and make this a priority in our decisions-making. I rarely hear it mentioned at Village meetings.

We have fabulous restaurants for celebrating special occasions. Locals live here, and we support the restaurants and other businesses year-round. Don’t forget us!

We welcome tourists that come here to appreciate our extraordinary environment and help us protect it. We encourage them to treat our special place as if it were their home. To tourists, I say, be considerate, people live here when you leave.

I want to wish all of our friends, supporters and antagonists, a special Holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tom Raffanello

The Green Turtle Hammock

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:07:18 GMT

Don’t miss the opportunity to walk in the woods! Last Saturday Florida Bay Forever hosted a nature walk at the Green Turtle Hammock, lead by Executive Director, Jodie Cerra. There is always something so fascinating about our tropical hardwood hammocks, participants are likely to head for their computer afterwards to learn more!

Shown here are participants at the walk learning about the poisonwood tree so common in the hammock.

All parts of the tree contain a skin-irritating compound much like poison ivy. According to Jodie, you don't even want to stand anywhere near this tree on a rainy day, as the water dripping off the leaves, contacting your skin, can give you an itchy rash.

Poisonwood fruit is critical for migrating birds, particularly the rare, white-crowned pigeon. White-crowned pigeons are found in the Caribbean, South Florida, and parts of Central America. Most of the population is migratory. The white-crown pigeon and other migrating birds arrive when the poisonwood fruit ripens with its high fat content.

Plan to join an upcoming nature walk - you are certain to appreciate our incredible environment even more when you experience a walk in the woods with a knowledgeable guide! Thank you, Jodie!

The Florida Keys Sculpture Trail:

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:04:56 GMT

Fragments

The vision of Key West philanthropists Mr. John Padget and the late Mr. Jacob Dekker launched the public art sculpture trail project in 2017 along U.S. 1. The trail originally featured 15 sculptures created by The Art Students League of New York’s Model to Monument Program. The Trail includes “Fragments” on the bayside of Upper Matecumbe at MM80.2.

Now the Sculpture Trail is growing from 15 to 19 sculptures, all accessible to the public. The installations require long-term maintenance, site security, and accessible pathways. Funding set aside for Public Art programs covers acquisition but local officials provide installation, upkeep and inclusive programming.

The installation of “Hourglass” is currently underway at Southwind Park at MM82.

Islamorada Library Schedule:

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:58:22 GMT

Looking to stock up on books, DVDs and more for the holidays? Stop by the Monroe County Library's Islamorada branch — and check out the recent refresh while you're there.

The Library will be closed Wed-Frid, Dec 24-26. It will be open on Sat, Dec 27, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Next week, the Library closes at 1 p.m. Wed, Dec 31, and will be closed on Thu, Jan 1.

And we have a special program: Join in the Winter Olympic fun by participating in the Upper Keys Winter Olympics Reading Challenge. All ages are encouraged to participate. It is easy to participate. Just register at either Islamorada or Key Largo Library branch and participate in reading challenges throughout the month of January. Complete the selected reading activity or event and earn either a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal. Registration begins Monday, December 29.

Former Islamorada Mayor Bob Johnson August 15, 1943 - December 15, 2025

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:51:58 GMT

Air Force Veteran and former Islamorada Mayor and Councilman from 2002-2006. Bob spent 40 years in Islamorada… A man whose humor, kindness, and wisdom we will never forget.

From Sue Miller: Bob called me a couple weeks ago. He always wanted to know the latest - from Islamorada, a community he loved dearly. Bob repeated that the accomplishment he cherished the most while on Village Council was getting the 35’ height restriction into the Village Charter so we would never have tall buildings lining our shoreline.

I promised Bob I would visit him soon. I wish I had gotten into my car that same day to do that. Bob Johnson was a special friend to so many of us.

Our thoughts are with Bob’s wife Sue and family. Click here to read his obituary.

The ABCs of Wastewater:

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:49:13 GMT

We have been highlighting concerns every week for several months now. We will continue to discuss wastewater concerns and ideas until there are none left to highlight! Or when we just give up.

Click here to see the list of concerns we’ve highlighted over the last several months, including concerns about huge budget deficits and major raw sewage leaks.

In 1999 the State of Florida mandated that the entire Florida Keys install advanced wastewater treatment systems. The cost in Islamorada to create a central sewer system was enormous. And now the cost of maintenance and operation of this costly project is creating significant questions and concerns.

This Week - The concerns were highlighted at the County Environmental Town Hall Meeting last Monday at Angler’s Club on Upper Matecumbe. Unfortunately only one member of the Islamorada Council (Steve Friedman) attended this important Town Hall meeting to learn more about numerous serious environmental concerns.

Everyone seems to be taking the month of December off so there’s little to report about any wastewater progress.

Environmental Town Hall Meeting! Free food! Cash bar!

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:43:00 GMT

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:39:11 GMT

As a group, residents are probably accustomed to land use lawyers and their associates giving spin on how our comp plan is flawed and the need to “fix bad law.”

I am told that the Islamorada Comprehensive Plan was put together 20 years ago after hundreds and hundreds of residents participated in the effort. Their effort resulted in a well-constructed long-term “comprehensive” plan based on our Village Mission statement which emphasizes protecting, planning and preserving.

None the less about four hours into the Village Council meeting on December 9th, new mayor, Don Horton, provided a fascinating land use lesson. A lesson extremely slanted in a clearly pro-development direction.

It has been clear, for the last year, that the majority of the council, which we elected last November, believe that “property rights” apply only to applicants seeking added land use rights.

Forget the property rights of neighboring property owners and those who would be impacted by increased density, noise and potential environmental degradation.

Forget the overall detriment to the Islamorada community as a whole, like the increases in traffic and infrastructure requirements facing us as an island community.

So the lesson Mayor Horton proclaimed:

When the Village created their own zoning and future land use maps back decades ago, following incorporation, they made “mistakes we need to fix.”

Yes, we have all heard this refrain from land use attorneys and businesses on behalf of their paying clients over the last several years.

We disagree with this premise.

We incorporated this Village to be able to make our own decisions about land use, taxes, and infrastructure.

From 1998-2003, the Village had about 18 public meetings to create a Comp Plan, often standing room only, with residents pouring over maps and text to assure that our new Village Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Regulations and land use maps did exactly what the community wanted.

Primary goals were established. They still stand tall on the wall of the Village meeting room – our mission as a community.

The Village Mission:

· To Protect the Residents' Right to Quiet Enjoyment of Life

· To Plan for Enhancing Our Village Character

· To Preserve Our Community; Its People, Natural Resources, and Pride

· To Provide Basic Services to Support our Quality of Life

This is our litmus test. No mention of improving the bank revenues of property owners, developers and their attorneys.

Back decades ago, the village land use decisions were made in a crowded room with loads of people demanding what is best for all residents and our environment.

Sadly, only a handful of residents now attend Village Council meetings.

Tuesday night with two members of the public present (one being a land use attorney representing the applicants), Mayor Horton and three others voted with virtually no discussion to “fix mistakes” made 20 years ago. Those “mistakes” were decided by a huge consensus of residents in order to preserve things like important high-quality hammocks.

And the Village knew back then by changing some zoning, they would create nonconforming uses. They thoughtfully established regulations back then to allow the nonconforming uses, that resulted from map changes, to legally continue.

But Horton says those map changes were “mistakes”. We say, not mistakes, but carefully decided land use decisions to match our goals and mission as a community.

Tuesday the “mistakes” that the Village Council aimed to fix were to change Conservation zoning to Mix Use Commercial zoning.

For 20 years this community has loved these nonconformities, a tennis club on Lower Matecumbe and a riding stable on Upper Matecumbe.

We think both uses that were in question last Tuesday are just great. They existed long before Islamorada incorporated… and continued with no objections.

Why now, 20 years after the 18 public meetings with packed rooms of our residents (and founders) is it necessary to change land use maps from conservation to mixed use commercial?

We understand that the Islamorada Foundation now has a contract on the Lower Matecumbe Tennis Club property to continue the same type recreational use.

We cheer and support that.

We also understand, at the present time, there is no plan to eliminate the riding stables on Upper Matecumbe.

Both properties are in the middle of amazing high-quality tropical hammocks that the residents of the Village, 20 years ago, felt were absolutely worth saving for generations to come. The community and council worked diligently back then believing it was worth taking special precautions to protect these environmental treasures. A conservation zoning classification was chosen to do that – while providing provisions so our much-loved existing uses could remain forever.

We are saddened to think that this council thinks those early diligent residents made “significant mistakes” that need to be fixed now.

We strongly oppose the premise that only 3 votes can change the core of our environmental principles.

We think that 20 years ago our residents showed amazing vision. Don’t let that vision become clouded.

It’s obvious, that elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

Bob Johnson -

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:37:20 GMT

Sad to have learned of the passing of a true Islamorada hero - former member of council and mayor, Bob Johnson.

Our thoughts are with his wife Sue and family.

New Trauma Star Helicopters:

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:35:17 GMT

Monroe County has three new emergency helicopters that are replacing the 20-year-old fleet.

Trauma Star provides emergency fights to the mainland for patients in need of critical care.

There are no out-of-pocket costs for county residents who use the life-saving service.

Each new helicopter can transport up to two critically injured or ill patients at a time. Trauma Star is staffed with highly-trained flight nurses, flight Firefighter/Paramedics, and helicopter pilots.

Trauma Star provides nearly 1,400 flights annually, three to four flights per day, one of the top five busiest air ambulance programs in the United States.

The total cost for the three helicopters is $53,149,100, which will be spread out over several years. The funding comes from sales tax: the infrastructure penny tax approved by a referendum.

Thank you FDOT for planting so many trees!

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:31:20 GMT

There's a Chinese saying. “When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. When is the next best time? Now."

Florida Department of Transportation is in the midst of a major $1.86 million landscaping project on the bayside of US One from MM75 to MM81 that has been planned for almost 10 years. We certainly welcome the beautiful tall trees being planted along our bike path.

From TreePeople.org: Trees need people and people need trees! When people plant and care for trees so they thrive, trees provide canopies of shade, reduce energy costs, look beautiful, provide food and shelter and so much more!

Let’s all protect our existing native trees and plant lots more.

FDOT Highway Beautification Policy - "to conserve, protect, restore, and enhance Florida's Natural resources and scenic beauty when constructing and maintaining the State Highway System."

Thank you FDOT for helping to make Islamorada more beautiful!

Green Turtle Hammock:

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:24:31 GMT

Green Turtle Hammock, an incredible 8.7 acre bayfront preserve was acquired for nearly $5 million in 2006 with grant funds from the Florida Communities Trust.

The Management Plan for the preserve states that Green Turtle Hammock must be managed only for

conservation, protection and enhancement of natural resources
for environmental education
compatible outdoor recreation.

The Village put in a kayak launch and hiking trails, and complied with environmental education - providing space for Florida Bay Forever, dedicated to protecting and preserving the health of Florida Bay through community engagement, science-based education, and strong support for Everglades restoration.

Florida Champion Gumbo Limbo is located near the highway side of the Green Turtle Hammock Preserve, recognized as the largest known gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba) tree in both Florida and the nation. It officially earned the title of Champion Tree on August 24, 2021. Of great concern: significant swaths of hardwood hammock were cut to provide space for Village Public Works equipment and storage structures. The equipment has been removed now. We hope the destroyed sections of hammock will be restored.

Two Organizations Teaming Up for Birds:

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:21:46 GMT

The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center and Florida Bay Forever teamed up to provide a special educational opportunity for local residents at the Green Turtle Hammock on Saturday - a bird walk and the release of a rehabilitated brown pelican - back to nature he flew.

The ABCs of Wastewater:

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:16:26 GMT

We have been highlighting concerns every week for several months now. We will continue to discuss wastewater concerns and ideas until there are none left to highlight! Or when we just give up.

Click here to see the list of concerns we’ve highlighted over the last several months, including concerns about huge budget deficits and major raw sewage leaks.

In 1999 the State of Florida mandated that the entire Florida Keys install advanced wastewater treatment systems to eliminate the use of septic tanks, illegal cesspits, and ineffective small treatment units. The cost in Islamorada to create a central sewer system was enormous. And now the cost of maintenance and operation of this costly project is creating significant questions and concerns.

This Week - Good News:Finally the Village and Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District seem to be back on speaking terms.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is tired of waiting for a fix for the raw sewage leaks in the pipe taking Village effluent for treatment in Key Largo.

And so major efforts are now underway to “do something.” And to figure out how to pay for what appears to be delayed maintenance concerns.

The Village hired Peter Rosasco as a consultant to help. The Village Council approved a new wastewater rate study with Raftelis Financial Consultants to look at possible refinancing of wastewater debt and to study EDU counts to assure appropriate distribution of costs.

Progress may be around the corner but be prepared if you are a property owner, residential or commercial, hooked up to the Village sewer system! It is the users of the central sewer system in Islamorada that will be on the hook for what could be extreme costs to get us back on track. Cost estimates to make the fixes are extreme. Hopefully with the new rate study the costs will be fairly distributed.

What's Bugging You?

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:15:28 GMT

We get interesting email! A variety of issues seem to bother our readers. Is there something that bothers you? Maybe we can bring some attention to it!

This bugs one reader:

“If your opinion doesn’t match the opinion of members of council, they make you feel like your ideas don’t matter because you just don’t understand. No wonder we don’t show up and speak up.”

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance: The Mayor

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:30:13 GMT

Let’s Pick a Mayor!

There will be an important decision made by our Village Council at the meeting on December 9th. Council will elect a new Mayor and Vice Mayor.

We are told that, in typical council fashion, the winners have already been decided. Don Horton will be elected Mayor and Anna Richards, Vice Mayor. What a shock! Collusion!?

One source suggests the embroidered shirts have already been ordered.

Does it matter who the mayor is? Haven’t we heard over and over that the position is purely “ceremonial”?

Let me give you the facts: The Village Charter says the mayor and vice mayor “shall have the same legislative powers and duties as any other council member.”

In 2020, with three new members of council, the Village Attorney explained the jobs to the council and the public before the vote. He commented: “The roles of Mayor and Vice Mayor are ceremonial; both positions have the same duties as the rest of the Village Council; the Mayor is the head of the Village for purposes of signature duties, service of process and appearance at functions.”

We think there is something else rather important… the Mayor presides at Council meetings. We have witnessed a previous Mayor routinely concede more speaking time to his friends on issues he supported. Abuse of power?

The Village Charter and Village Code: Numerous mayoral powers are spelled out:

Special Council meetings may be held at the call of the Mayor
The Mayor and Vice Mayor are authorized signatories for the village's bank accounts.
The Mayor appoints council members as committee liaisons.
The Mayor, Vice Mayor, or in his/her absence the Manager, has the sole authority to declare a state of local emergency.
At Quasi Judicial hearings the mayor shall keep order and may direct a party conducting the cross examination to stop a particular line of questioning

Village Council Meeting Procedures, approved by a majority vote of council, includes the word “mayor” 50 times. These are some examples:

The Mayor shall decide on all questions of order.
The Mayor may limit repetitive comments to ensure efficiency of the meeting.
The Mayor shall preserve order and decorum at Council meetings.
The Mayor shall have the right and the authority to require an unruly person to leave the Council Chambers
The Mayor and Staff decide what items should be in the Consent Agenda, those are then without necessity for discussion. (We think the consent agenda has been abused for years to hide poor decisions and to hide major expenditures.)
Meeting agenda items may be removed from the agenda by the Mayor, Village Manager or Village Clerk

These powers can have a profound effect if not judiciously executed. We’ll be watching.

It is often mentioned that traditionally the person elected Vice Mayor becomes the Mayor the following year. But in fact it is not automatic. The Vice Mayor has been selected as Mayor in just two of the last four years.

The Mayor is a position of trust within the community and should be treated as such.

In 2022, the council voted 4-1 to not allow public comment before the vote for Mayor. Why not? The council wanted to make a choice not popular with the public.

We know that between 2020 and 2024 one member of council was mayor three times. After not being elected mayor a 4^th time, he resigned. His successor on council was selected by a majority vote of council. Not the residents. Not democratic.

Shouldn’t special elections be held to fill council vacancies as they arise, especially weeks after the November election?

Election of Mayor by Voters

We think the position of mayor is not simply ceremonial. It is important enough that the mayor should be elected by voters to a two-year term. The mayor, being selected by voters, has become increasingly popular in council-manager form of local government. Election of mayor by voters allows voters to have more direct input in the political process so they may review the qualifications of the candidates.

Being a business associate or relative of a sitting council member should not be a factor. Unfortunately, it is.

Eliminate SEAT #s

We also energetically support the top 5 vote getters being seated on the council.

Irrelevant seat numbers for council positions encourages seat switching at the last minute, encourages gamesmanship, and pits neighbors against neighbors, often with attacks by opponents running for the same seat.

In conclusion, pay attention to the election process and know what power you are ceding to your representatives.

Changes in our election process is long overdue. Participate in the process and let your voice be heard.

It’s obvious, that elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

Zoning Changes, who benefits?

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:25:56 GMT

Zoning serves to regulate land use, promote public health/safety, protect property values, and ensure orderly community development.

In Islamorada, we see frequent zoning change requests geared to maximize the applicant’s profitability. Is there is too little regard for the vision of the community, the Comp Plan, environmental impact, stressed infrastructure, effect on neighbors and the Village as a whole?

There is a perfect illustration on the Dec 9 agenda.

The Islamorada Tennis Club: At MM76.8 on Lower Matecumbe, there was once a private tennis club nestled into one of the Village’s most important high-quality tropical hammocks. It came to be in 1993, a few years before the Village incorporated. Pretty shocking that the County allowed a large swath of high-quality hammock to be cleared. Perhaps it was the low impact and the lack of recreational uses on Lower Matecumbe that allowed the clearing of so many native trees.

When Islamorada approved their FLUM and zoning maps, the property was classified as Residential Conservation/Native Residential as was an entire stretch of high-quality hammock to the north, the south and to the west.

The purpose of the native residential (NR) zoning district is “to provide the highest degree of protection for large residential tracts supporting or having the potential for restoration of high and moderate quality hammock, wetlands, beach or berm, to ensure the perpetuation of species reliant upon native habitat.”

The Village apparently considered the tennis club a legally non-conforming use and thus it could legally continue. The current owner bought in 2017 with those map classifications and the legal tennis club in operation. But he closed the tennis club and by doing so gave up the right to the non-conforming use.

Now the owner thinks the Village should provide a zoning change - to allow him to gain a legal use of the property. But not just restore the low impact recreational use as a tennis facility.

Several months ago, the Village agreed to his requested change to Mixed Use/Highway Commercial, on first reading.

On Dec 9, the issue is on the agenda for second reading, without changes requested by the State of Florida.

Florida Department of Commerce doesn’t agree with the zoning change, siting numerous concerns: no data supporting the need, conflicts with village comp plan policies. They also suggested a possible less intense classification - Recreational zoning so the original tennis use would be legal.

The state has rarely objected to map changes in recent years, apparently preferring to allow local governments to judge the appropriateness within their communities.

The Village Planning staff recommends denial of the requested map changes.

Now the test… will the Council pay attention to the state and their own planners? Will they consider the potential impact of this on a very special environment. Or will they think it is more important to consider the financial impact on the property owner and ignore the local and state regulations.

This wouldn’t be the first time the Council has decided on financial benefit to the property owner over environmental impact and neighborhood character.

Zoning is meant to protect a community, the environment, and overall quality of life, not the finances of an individual property owner. Especially a property owner who created his own problem.

The Environmental Town Hall:

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:22:15 GMT

Don’t miss this opportunity to voice some critical concerns:

Oil Drilling offshore
SB180 - hampering planning decisions
SB208 - “in other words, no local planning… just builders and developers running amok…” - Capt. Steve Friedman
HB 479 - bar local government from adopting policies on water quality, pollution control, wetlands. Powers would be preempted to the state.

What's Bugging You?

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:20:17 GMT

We get interesting email! A variety of issues seem to bother our readers. Is there something that bothers you? Maybe we can bring some attention to it!

This bugs one reader:

Does this Village Council think taxpayers are giant ATM machines? I am tired of runaway government spending. We need a visit from DOGE! What is Blaise Ignolia’s cell phone # or email address?

The ABCs of Wastewater:

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:18:10 GMT

There are major wastewater concerns in Islamorada. We will highlight concerns every week until there are none left to highlight!

The wastewater system is operated as an enterprise fund… a self-supporting government fund that sells goods or services to the public for a fee intended to cover all costs… just like a business. We question whether the Village Wastewater Enterprise fund is operating in a businesslike manner!

Self-supporting? No - they show major deficits year after year.

This week’s concern:

No action yet on reviewing EDU counts. How long can this process take?

Note - In recent newsletters we have already questioned:

Why isn’t Sun Community paying their fair share of wastewater costs?
Why is the tiny 1947 trailer park near the Post Office paying more than their fair share?
Why are the three breweries in the Village paying a minimal amount?
Why does Village policy provide a volume discount for wastewater costs to the larger developments, resorts, marinas, restaurants with more than 10 EDUs?
~~Need for public special call meeting about Wastewater FDEP consent order approval.~~ (Special Call Wastewater meeting held Nov 17, 5:30 PM)
Budget concern highlighted in Nov 10 wastewater agenda item, Year-end (9/30/25) budget amendment shows a wastewater DEFICIT of $5,343,345 for the year just ended, 9/30/2025.
The 2022 Wastewater Rate Study had critical recommendations approved almost 4 years ago but never implemented.
The special call wastewater meeting provided significant information about continuing raw sewage leaks at MM92 with estimated fixes expected to exceed $5.5 million. Where does the extra funding come from?

We will continue to add/delete concerns until all have been resolved.

Help protect the manatees:

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:14:15 GMT

More Florida manatees have already died this year than in the last several years as manatees face growing threats and possible extinction. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is cutting programs that protect water quality and the seagrass the manatees need for survival.

Click Here to tell Congress to intervene and save crucial Environmental Protection Agency programs that protect and save manatees.

Photo from 2025 Ocean Photographer of the Year

Credit: Matthew Sullivan / Popular Science

Quote of the Week

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:11:08 GMT

(think Village vehicles):

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:18:16 GMT

I come from a background where FACTS matter and drive the decisions made by management.

The Islamorada Community Alliance (ICA) works diligently to provide facts on issues to residents as soon as they are available. And we are often criticized for the efforts.

We have taken heat from those intimidated by the truth. That’s life. We will continue to do credible reporting and encourage Village governance to avail themselves of the facts as part of their decision-making.

Facts drive solid decisions and minimize fallout from emotional or poor decisions.

Unfortunately, many decisions in this village are made based on friendships and business associations. Facts have been ignored and relationships have prevailed.

Many residents have expressed to ICA and other citizen groups that residents do not trust our officials to make decisions. They cite business relationships and cronyism

Unfortunately, our local media lacks the ability to closely examine decisions that deserve scrutiny. The “power people” control much of the advertising revenue.

I get it., but don’t like it.

Village Council meeting agendas publicly provide hundreds of pages of background information on items to be decided at the meeting. They become available only several days before the meetings where decisions will be made. You have to be an accomplished speed reader in order to comprehend the facts. Is this good governance?

Issues that should be publicly discussed often are placed on the “consent agendas” where no discussion or individual public comment takes place, just the bulk council vote.

Is the “consent agenda” where the village hides its mistakes? These agenda items routinely commit millions of tax dollars. Is that transparency?

We have endured a previous village manager committing millions of our tax dollars on enhanced employee benefit packages without council approval.

Any conversation on this violation or thoughts of disciplinary action for this prior manager’s monumental unauthorized expenditure? No - swept under the rug. Council later approved the expenditure, after the fact, with no discussion or public understanding.

How about the $3 million wastewater work, approved after the work was done and the questionable invoices were paid.

This behavior seems routine in our government. Consent agendas and ignoring legal purchase procedures wash away sins.

Our current village manager has made attempts to change this trend. I am optimistic.

I am asking our elected officials to reverse this decade long aberration and encourage the FACTS to be presented and discussed.

Council decisions should have the legitimacy this village deserves. Council actions will forge their legacy. They should embrace FACTS.

We must deal with the critical issues facing us: our fragile environment, bloated taxes, uncontrolled growth, and dangerous traffic trends.

The choice is clear. Respond to residents’ problems or continue more ”good ol boy/girl” poor decisions.

FACTS cannot be ignored. The ICA and other citizen groups will continue to present real concerns.

Islamorada Council: You can and must do better.

Tom Raffanello

Disagreement over Oil Drilling:

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:15:59 GMT

Last week, the Trump administration announced plans to allow new oil drilling off Florida’s coast. The area has been off-limits since 1995 because of concerns over potential oil spills.

Florida's top Republicans, Democrats, environmental groups, and some of President Trump's closest allies in Florida are loudly rejecting expanded oil drilling near Florida's coast, part of Trump’s 5-year plan to create jobs and increase energy security.

Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the move, saying it would "weaken protections we worked really hard to establish offshore."

Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Ashley Moody have co-sponsored a bill to maintain the offshore drilling moratorium that Trump signed in his first term.

The ABCs of Wastewater:

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:12:13 GMT

There are major wastewater concerns in Islamorada. We will highlight concerns every week until there are none left to highlight!

Self-supporting? No - they show major deficits year after year.

This week’s concern:

The special call wastewater meeting provided significant information about the FDEP Consent demands and the significant ongoing wastewater concerns. The estimated fixes enumerated exceed $5.5 million over the budgeted operation and maintenance of the system…. yet little council direction resulted. The Village Manager acknowledged the need to update EDU counts.

More about the Nov 17 Special Call meeting in separate wastewater story.

Note - In recent newsletters we have already questioned:

Why isn’t Sun Community paying their fair share of wastewater costs?
Why is the tiny 1947 trailer park near the Post Office paying more than their fair share?
Why are the three breweries in the Village paying a minimal amount?
Why does Village policy provide a volume discount for wastewater costs to the larger developments, resorts, marinas, restaurants with more than 10 EDUs?
~~Need for public special call meeting about Wastewater FDEP consent order approval.~~ (Special Call Wastewater meeting held Nov 17, 5:30 PM)
Budget concernhighlighted in Nov 10 wastewater agenda item, Year-end (9/30/25) budget amendment shows a wastewater DEFICIT of $5,343,345 for the year just ended, 9/30/2025.
The 2022 Wastewater Rate Study had critical recommendations approved almost 4 years ago but never implemented.

We will continue to add/delete concerns until all have been resolved.

Experts provide wastewater information for Village at November 17 Council Wastewater Meeting

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:06:02 GMT

Tom Brzezinski, contract Village engineer with Wade Trim

Peter Rosasco, General Manager Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District

A. J. Engelmeyer, Village Director of Public Works and Wastewater

We understand Wastewater is not fun to follow. Only two or three members of the public attended the special call wastewater meeting.

Wastewater challenges significantly impact costs to Village property owners. And imagine the potential crisis to our environment if we don’t get this right.

History: For five years, there have been periodic leaks, near MM92, in the wastewater pipeline that sends Islamorada raw sewage to the Key Largo Wastewater treatment facility at MM100. Engineers in Islamorada and Key Largo have had a difference of opinion on how to fix the problem, and so nothing was done and the leaks continued.

Consent Agreement: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) stepped in a few weeks ago demanding a fix… or fines. Major daily fines.

The Village was also mandated to create an Emergency Operations Manual to assure a plan in an emergency. Doesn’t any raw sewage leak in our fragile environment create an enormous emergency? Think about the possibility of a leak into the water - 7 bridges with the pipeline buried 45 feet below the channels.

Islamorada agreed to comply. Key Largo agreed to work with the Village, to allow Islamorada to move forward with their fix, without continued alternative preferences from the Key Largo engineers.

The Cost: At the meeting, Wade Trim engineer, Tom Brzezinski, outlined the proposed fix. The cost: at least $5.5 million, using 2-year-old estimates and ignoring potential payments to Key Largo resulting from the Islamorada changes. Brzezinski suggested the MM92 PVC pipes may have been installed improperly.

Key Largo: Peter Rosasco confirmed Key Largo and Islamorada are now on speaking terms and will work together.

Funding: The current wastewater budget was approved in September with an anticipated $750,000 deficit. The proposed $5.5 million fix was budgeted at $4,125,000 in September using grant funding already approved. The Village has requested $750,000 from the Florida Legislature in a 2026 appropriation request. But it appears the wastewater budget deficit is likely to increase without added revenue.

The recommendations in a 2022 wastewater rate study were never implemented. As an enterprise fund, wastewater revenues are supposed to be sufficient to cover all costs.

The wastewater fund has been operating at a deficit every year. Why?

The rates paid by some, or all property owners, are not enough to operate and maintain the system.
There are inefficiencies and flaws that must be corrected
Possible design or installation errors

What’s next? No real decisions seemed to come out of the special call meeting.

The Islamorada Community Alliance will continue to search for facts and suggest solutions.

The White Flags along U.S. One: MM75 to MM81 Bayside:

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:02:09 GMT

The white flags along the highway, bay side, are part of the $1.86 million FDOT Landscaping Project that is underway. Each flag marks the location and species of the tree or shrub to be planted in the FDOT Right of Way.

We wonder what happens to these white flags when the Right of Way is mowed!

The Village’s Public Works Department has maintained the U.S. Highway 1 right-of-way located within the Village’s municipal boundaries through an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (“FDOT”) in place since 2007.

The current 1-year agreement from July 11, 2025 to July 10, 2026 provides for FDOT to pay the Village $65,644/year to maintain the U.S. One Right of Way through Islamorada, approximately 18 miles, both sides of the highway.

In 2007, when the Village took over the maintenance, FDOT had been mowing once a month. The Village preferred to upgrade the maintenance and agreed to a $65,000 contract reimbursement from FDOT for the Village effort.

The current Road Maintenance budget for Public Works is $784,813. It is not known how much of that is spent for the Village’s upgraded U.S. One maintenance and how much is spent mowing along other Village owned roads.

Coral Shores Baseball News:

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:59:28 GMT

No Founders Park baseball controversy this time. Coral Shores senior standout, Donovan Thiery, signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Florida State University. Thiery, whose fastball has been clocked at 97 MPH, is projected to contribute both as a pitcher and a potential DH/first baseman for the Seminoles. Thiery is the first player in Coral Shores baseball history to earn a full Division 1 scholarship. Baseball games may be standing room only in 2026 to watch Donovan at Founders Park! Hopefully the grass field will be tip top.

Congratulations Donovan!

What's Bugging You?

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:15:38 GMT

We get interesting email! A variety of issues seem to really bother our readers. Is there something that bothers you? Maybe we can bring some attention to it!

This bugs me:

Islamorada likes to say we are the Sportfishing Capital of the World. Why in this world would we prohibit our own amazing back country guides from using the boat ramp at our community park!

Don’t miss the Christmas event on Historic Lignumvitae Key!

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:12:03 GMT

Tours of house and hammock, games, music, art and crafts, and so much more! Click here for details.

Please donate some toys so all kids here have the best Christmas possible!

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:09:38 GMT

Quote of the Week:

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:07:23 GMT

Photo of the Week:

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:03:55 GMT

Look who was seen strategizing last weekend!

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:18:08 GMT

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?

I am compelled to respond to the ridiculous assertions made at the baseball field discussion last Tuesday.

To be clear, our position, from the beginning of this issue, has been asking council to adhere to the procedures and rules imposed by our Village.

That request has been ignored. The baseball preliminary design was in the agenda as a discussion item only. Yet they broke with their own rules and voted to approve the design which included the controversial artificial turf.

Our position on the “turf or grass” is simple — Have council and the public hear both positions, pro and con, and make the right decision consistent with the Villages’ mission statement.

Additionally, to be clear, this newsletter has over several thousand readers, certainly not a small voice of loonies, considering only 3-4,000 residents vote in our elections.

There is not a movement of people who would “be happy if the baseball field and other sports fields used by our entire community disappeared.”

There is more nonsense in the actual quote from last Tuesday but this is the crux of the statement and I don’t want to bore you. Suffice it to say it was a stupid, insulting, ill advised statement that has zero factual basis.

Shameful.

Our position remains consistent. To ask Council to hear the people and ensure the correct decision is made. For some this is hard to do because many officials do not seek opposing opinions but rather operate in their own bubble.

Example:

A Baseball Field Task Force of residents, authorized by our Village manager, made the recommendation to do a survey of residents to address the baseball field controversies. The task force request was ignored by Council who did not want to “kick the ball down the road.”

It would not take a great length of time or effort to settle this issue by hearing from constituents.

Unfortunately, many residents are afraid to comment publicly. They fear both personal and commercial reprisals. This has been expressed by many readers.

Power, bully politics, with occasional name calling in public, is now the norm in the village council meetings and other forums. We reject childish behavior.

Real public servants adjust their positions when given additional information. Not in this Village. Some council members were predisposed and made campaign promises.

We will never shrink from reporting issues as we see them.

As always, we welcome rational discussion in whatever forum is appropriate.

The “Will of the People” is more than a slogan. It is the basis for political decision-making, underscoring the belief that our government should act while considering the wishes of its citizens.

As a community we must do better. Remember, elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

Decisions - Decisions - Decision

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:15:26 GMT

With two long meetings last week, the Council made numerous important decisions, sometimes with lengthy discussion, sometimes with no discussion.

You should have been there. But then - would it have mattered?

Tuesday Meeting:

Baseball design approved - while in the agenda for discussion only, the Council voted 4-1, Friedman dissenting, for preliminary Founders Park baseball field design with estimated cost over $6 million, including artificial turf and an 800 sq ft building with concession stand, 4 restrooms, and press box.
Founders Park Master Plan approved - with estimated cost for proposed improvements over 15 years at $78,922,000
Line of Credit approved: $20 million for emergency funds during a natural disaster or to finance emergency capital improvements
Contract approved retroactively $9,250/mo, for financial consulting services with Bishop, Rosasco and Co
Ambulance Remount approved for Fire Rescue Department, $351,904
28’ Contender boat purchase approved for Fire Rescue, $350,000
Work Authorization for Civic Engineer for $907,645, primarily wastewater

Thursday Land Use Meeting:

4 administrative relief approved: awarding 4 BPAS allocations for applicants in system, not awarded based on points but for being in system 4 years.
Request approved: for Comp Plan change by applicant to enable building 42 affordable housing apartments on an acre in a Coastal High Hazard area (V flood zone)
Approved Reversal of Planning decision: granting transient development rights for motel units changed to nonresidential use 40 years ago, against Planning Staff recommendation.

More Growth? Or Enough Already?

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:10:12 GMT

At the Council Land Use meeting last Thursday, Sue Miller, representing the Islamorada Community Alliance (ICA), spoke against adding 42 affordable housing units to a 1-acre oceanfront lot on Windley Key as being too dense, especially in a “Coastal High Hazard,” V Flood zone, location.

The applicant’s attorney commented at the podium that the ICA would be against anything the applicant wanted to develop there.

Perhaps so. The ICA has consistently pointed to evidence of “overbuilding.”

Windley Key is listed in the 2025 Traffic Study as a “D” classification - a segment that should be given particular attention when approving development applications.
Serious evacuation and safety concerns have been repeatedly mentioned for decades by various speakers like Captain Ed Davidson quoting flaws in the evacuation methodology.

The ICA does not appear to be alone in their concerns. And the State objected to the change after first reading as it conflicts with our Comp Plan.

At the County Commission meeting last week, a resolution was passed asking for help from South Florida Regional Planning as they review a planned project along Miami-Dade’s Krome Avenue (an important way out for the Keys during an evacuation): 954 acres of agricultural land along Krome Avenue would include 7,800 new residential units, more than 2 million square feet of office, retail and industrial space, and three new schools.

The Monroe County Commission is rightly worried. But they have no jurisdiction in Miami-Dade. (Click here for the story in the Keys Citizen Saturday)

Florida Keys elected officials do have jurisdiction in Monroe County. And the ICA has often voiced concerns when Keys elected officials find ways to ignore traffic studies and evacuation methodology, ignore limited water sources, upzone properties to add more building rights; ask the legislature for more ROGO building allocations. Silent on the tens of millions of annual TDC spending to bring in more tourists.

The ABCs of Wastewater:

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:08:09 GMT

There are major wastewater concerns in Islamorada. We will highlight concerns every week until there are none left to highlight!

Self-supporting? No - they show major deficits year after year.

Thank you Islamorada Council for finally scheduling a wastewater special call meeting Nov 17 at 5:30 PM. Now, let’s find solutions.

This week’s concern:

The 2022 Wastewater Rate Study is in the Nov 17 meeting agenda. In the study there are critical recommendations approved almost 4 years ago but never implemented. Hopefully those important suggestions can be used now to help eliminate the annual deficits the sewer system has been experiencing.

Note - In recent past newsletters we have already questioned:

Why isn’t Sun Community paying their fair share of wastewater costs?
Why is the tiny 1947 trailer park near the Post Office paying more than their fair share?
Why are the three breweries in the Village paying a minimal amount?
Why does Village policy provide a volume discount for wastewater costs to the larger developments, resorts, marinas, restaurants with more than 10 EDUs?
~~Need for public special call meeting about Wastewater FDEP consent order approval.~~ (Special Call Wastewater meeting now on the agenda for Nov 17, 5:30 PM)
Budget concernhighlighted in Nov 10 wastewater agenda item:
- Year-end (9/30/25) budget amendment shows a wastewater DEFICIT of $5,343,345 for the year just ended, 9/30/2025.

We will continue to add/delete concerns until all have been resolved.

County Legislative Delegation Meeting

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:04:48 GMT

with Representative Jim Mooney and Florida Senator Ana Marie Rodriguez.

Prior to legislative sessions, delegation meetings are held in counties throughout Florida. Local governments and citizens have an opportunity to discuss legislative proposals and concerns. On Nov 13 Representative Jim Mooney and Senator Ana Marie Rodriguez listened as the local governments listed their priorities.

The most common requests:

Fix SB180 that passed in 2025 and seriously restricts local government in addressing changes to Comprehensive Plans and Land Development Regulations.
Protect property tax revenues from efforts underway to let voters decided in November 2026 whether to eliminate or significantly reduce property taxes, particularly on homesteaded properties.
Approve funding for local governments, Stewardship funding for water quality at the top of the list for most Monroe County jurisdictions.

Mooney reminded the jurisdictions present that their specific requests for funding is due soon.

Islamorada Appropriations Request: While not discussed during a public meeting, Islamorada has submitted a list of four items they would like to have the Legislature approve for state funding in 2026.

$750,000 - North Plantation Key Wastewater Pump Station
$300,000 - Sea Oats Beach Breakwater
$350,000 - Schools to Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety
$350,000 - Enhancement of Public Transit

Click here for details regarding Islamorada’s request.

Don’t miss the Christmas event on Historic Lignumvitae Key!

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:59:48 GMT

Tours of house and hammock, games, music, art lessons by Pasta and so much more! Click here for details.

Please donate some toys so all kids here have the best Christmas possible!

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:52:23 GMT

Please donate new, unwrapped toys to the bins at all three fire stations. Also at the Holiday Fest at Founders Park, and at the yearly Islamorada Fire Department Santa Parade!

U.S. Mint stopped making pennies!

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:50:03 GMT

Experts say there is no need to stash away everyday pennies. Most will remain worth exactly what they were before production stopped. While 2025 pennies may become collector favorites, the average coin will continue its familiar role in jars, drawers, and cash registers nationwide.

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:41:18 GMT

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?

There was an important agenda item during the Nov 10th Council meeting regarding the Baseball field renovation.

Why is this important? Let me count the ways.

While the issue is not in the Council agenda for a decision, just a report, with no public comment, we have been led to believe that the Council may waive their meeting procedures so they can actually vote on this controversial issue, without appropriate public notification.

That is wrong on many levels.

This adds to the procedural missteps that have plagued this project since 2021.

We are prepared to list the procedural violations and are forwarding them in a letter to Village Council and Village Attorney.

It is incumbent on the VILLAGE ATTORNEY to opine on the legitimacy of these proceedings.

The failure to adhere to our own laws is a concern and we seek the Village legal opinion on the record. An immediate opinion is both appropriate and necessary.

If the Village Attorney needs more time, we understand. Then postpone the baseball ”discussion” until such time as the Attorney can provide his opinion.

Bottom line, the baseball field project needs to be resolved by adhering to all requirements of Village regulations, all in the Sunshine.

Did the Baseball Design Committee follow public notice requirements for meetings that have been taking place since at least 2021. It does not appear that they did.
Islamorada is a party to the proposed Design Build contract but has never signed the contract – yet the contracted designer is hard at work without a legally signed contract.

Consider these factors:

The Interlocal Agreement signed by the School District and Village, requires a Baseball License and Use Agreement. A first step.

The terms in that agreement need to be succinct and agreeable to all parties before a design can be determined. It must be carefully negotiated with School District approval with very specific terms as to the allowable uses as well as all capital costs, operational, maintenance, and replacement costs during baseball season as well as the remainder of the year. Who is entitled to use all of the facilities, when. Who does the maintenance.

The draft of the license document provided in tonight’s agenda needs significant improvement and school board agreement before design decisions are appropriate.

We do not think the public and Village Council have been provided all the facts and data regarding the use of our community park.

Have we heard all the pros and cons about artificial turf versus real grass?
Have we weighed the cost, safety and environmental concerns?

We’ve been told repeatedly that the costs are school board costs, not Village money. Isn’t the School Board funded by our taxes? Of course it is.

Check your tax bill – school taxes are listed. We pay both school and village taxes.

The Islamorada Taxpayers are entitled to a Voice!

And consider the fate of the Baseball Task Force:

Our Village Manager appointed 5 members of the community to a Baseball Task Force to help sort out the facts.

These community members put in significant time and energy.
A majority of task force members proposed the need for a community survey to assure the taxpayers of Islamorada have a voice.
There is no report from the Task Force in the agenda this week.
There is no discussion of a survey.

Why did we have a Task Force?

If we are incorrect with any of our assertions in any of this editorial, please help us correct the record.

Our goal is to report the facts and we will gladly correct any part of our assertions and publish the replies.

The taxpayers of Islamorada own Founders Park. We all deserve a very loud voice.

Hear us!

As a community we must do better. Remember, elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

The ABCs of Wastewater EDUs:

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:38:41 GMT

An EDU is an “Equivalent Dwelling Unit”assigning wastewater system usage based on the water consumption.

There are major wastewater concerns in Islamorada. We will continue to highlight concerns every week until there are none left to highlight!

The wastewater system is operated as an enterprise fund… a self-supporting government fund that sells goods and services to the public for a fee… just like a business. We question whether the Village Wastewater Enterprise fund is operating in a businesslike manner!

Self-supporting? No - they show major deficits year after year.

To address consistent deficits in the wastewater fund, when Greg Oravec was Village Manager, the council voted on 9/30/21 to approve a wastewater rate study at a cost of $42,820. The study was presented and approved by Council on 3/31/22. Oravec was no longer manager and the suggestions in the rate study were never implemented. The Wastewater Fund continues to operate at a significant deficit year after year.

The current council has now been in office a full year - a year which resulted in a $5 million wastewater deficit…. No longer able to blame the past.

Thank you Islamorada Council for finally scheduling a wastewater special call meeting Nov 17 at 5:30 PM. Now, let’s find solutions.

This week’s concern:

Several budget concerns highlighted by Nov 10 wastewater agenda items:

Year-end (9/30/25) budget amendment shows a wastewater DEFICIT of $5,343,345 for the year just ended.
Approval of work authorization with Wade Trim to fix MM92 force main raw sewage leaks at cost of engineering at $846,505, while only $370,00 is budgeted, potentially increasing the $775,128 wastewater deficit projected for current year by almost $500,000. Engineering costs are in addition to the $4,125,000 million projected for the actual construction.
Time to correct wastewater rate problems and inequities

These wastewater budget concerns should be moved to the Special Call Wastewater meeting Nov 17.

Note - In recent past newsletters we have already questioned:

Why isn’t Sun Community paying their fair share of wastewater costs?
Why is the tiny 1947 trailer park near the Post Office paying more than their fair share?
Why are the three breweries in the Village paying a minimal amount?
Why does Village policy provide a volume discount for wastewater costs to the larger developments, resorts, marinas, restaurants with more than 10 EDUs?
~~Need for public special call meeting about Wastewater FDEP consent order approval.~~ (Special Call Wastewater meeting now on the agenda for Nov 17, 5:30 PM)

We will continue to add/delete concerns until all have been resolved.

Approval of Founders Park Master Plan, in consent agenda November 10: Our 42-acre cherished Village centerpiece and no discussion?

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:34:15 GMT

In June, 2024, the Village agreed to pay consultants, Miller Legg, $175,750, to create a master plan for the park.

According to the Nov 10 staff report “The finalized Master Plan reflects the desired vision and conceptual plans for Founders Park as determined by the citizens, appointed and elected officials, and other stakeholders through community participation.”

Does the plan reflect the community’s vision? Should specific unpopular suggestions be eliminated or at least listed as “need more public input?”

Storage in the hammock at the Hill

Portions that may be questionable: 35,000 sq ft two-story community center and parking expected to cost near $50 million? The storage area in the hardwood hammock on “The Hill” bayside of Village Hall, with large maintenance building and 50 paved parking spaces. Better to restore the hammock - not reward for damage done with fancy storage paid by taxpayers.

Cost of Living Troubling to Many Residents of Florida

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:30:04 GMT

According to a survey released last week by Florida Atlantic University nearly 50% of those questioned have considered leaving Florida.

90% of those surveyed are at least somewhat concerned about inflation; 56% are very concerned.

80% are concerned about housing affordability, with 49% very concerned.
Nearly 50% say they’ve considered moving out of Florida due to cost of living.

We wonder what the results would show if those who participated were residents of the Florida Keys, or of Islamorada?

In Monroe County the median income is now $118.000 per year - the highest of all 67 counties in Florida. Result - in Islamorada a single person making $127,820 qualifies for affordable housing; family of 3 - $164,220. These are not the incomes that are causing our valued workforce to head north. This is why “affordable housing” may be a misguided issue here. Click here for 2025 Village fact sheet.

Islamorada to receive Law Enforcement Refund

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:28:47 GMT

Sheriff Rick Ramsay announced he will be refunding $123,253 in excess operating funds to the Village. The Sheriff had estimated his costs for the Village Law Enforcement services would be $3,079,678, the amount then approved during Islamorada hearings for the budget ending 9/30/25.

According to the final budget amendment for 2024-2025, to be approved Nov 10, 2025, Ramsay billed the Village just $2,852,954, $211,623 less than projected.

The projected law enforcement cost for the current year, 2025-2026, is $3,474,321, an increase of $394,643 for the current year.

King Tides:

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:24:40 GMT

King tides were back this week, with full moon Nov 5. The full moon last Wed morning was the closest the moon has been to Earth since Feb 2019. The closer the moon is to Earth, the stronger its gravitational pull is on the oceans.

The photograph is the moon rising over the ocean in Islamorada last week… looking much like a sunrise!

King tides are exceptionally high tides that happen a few times a year when the moon and Earth align to strengthen the gravitational pull on the ocean, regularly during a full moon in spring or fall.

Quote of the Week:

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:21:53 GMT

Democracy means far more than the right to vote every two years. It means the right to participate in every aspect of community decision-making. People must believe that they can take part.

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:49:55 GMT

On Monday Nov 10 at 4PM our Village Council will be meeting in a private Executive Session to discuss litigation strategy for a lawsuit against the Village filed by a prior Village Manager – Ted Yates.

The nonsense has to stop. Yates came to Islamorada on with a one-year contractual term and served at the pleasure of the Village Council. Before the contract was to auto-renew, a 3-2 vote of Council (Jolin, Mahoney and Rosenthal, with Pinder and Gregg dissenting) chose not to allow the contract to renew.

Therefore, it expired at the end of its initial term.

Village council members had their reasons for non-renewal. Yates and his attorney came up with the ridiculous notion that anyone who had previously disagreed with Yates’ actions as manager should have recused him/herself. That’s ludicrous. As an example, Supreme Court Justice Kagan argued for ObamaCare, as solicitor general, in front of the Supreme Court. When appointed to the Supreme Court later on, Kagan voted for the approval of ObamaCare. Did she recuse herself because she argued in public to uphold the law? No. And there was no recourse, criticism or lawsuit.

The Yates lawsuit (filed 10 months after his separation) has no basis and claims “termination” circumstances that are simply not covered in the employment contract’s very specific “without cause” termination provision.

The contract spells out the circumstances – there are only four – in which Yates would be entitled to severance. Not allowing the contract to automatically renew is, of course, not one of them.

Our Village attorney’s associate commented that the case should be dismissed. After conferring with several of my attorney associates with employment law expertise, I strongly agree.

So after 18 months why hasn’t the Village:

- filed a motion to dismiss?

- filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings?

-filed a motion for summary judgment?

None of these legal maneuvers have been taken by our attorney. Yet they are the logical legal steps to be taken after acknowledging the legal weaknesses of a lawsuit such as this.

I am not going to detail various reasons that the council voted not to renew the Yates contract. Suffice it to say, they exist. Ask the council members serving then.

We have kicked this lawsuit down the road for 18 months. Some want to offer a cash settlement to make it go away. That is the easy way out.

When you are right, you must be strong and determined.

My final takes:

The law community has figured out that the Village will cave and pay, rather than stand behind their decisions.

This just invites more frivolous litigation, and ultimately more tax dollars spent and less respect accorded to Council’s resolutions.

We often pay opponents’ legal fees. This is wrong.

We also need to reassess how we enter into contracts and their content. I have not been impressed:

Contract content should be based on the best interest of the Village residents and the environment.
At this point that has rarely happened.

We must do better. Remember, elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

The ABCs of Wastewater EDUs:

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:47:31 GMT

An EDU is an “Equivalent Dwelling Unit” assigning wastewater system usage based on the water consumption.

In recent newsletters we have already questioned:

Is Sun Communities paying their fair share of wastewater costs?
Is the tiny 1947 trailer park near the Islamorada Post Office paying too much?
What about the three breweries in the Village paying a minimal amount?
Why does Village policy provide a volume discount for wastewater costs to the larger developments, resorts, marinas, restaurants with more than 10 EDUs?

This week’s concern:

On Oct 30, the Village agreed to the consent order from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to address MM92 issues and the raw sewage leaks. There was no public discussion and vote by Village Council before agreeing to a fix estimated to cost $4.5 million. The twenty-day time limit for response to FDEP seemed to allow time for a special call public meeting… not just phone calls to council members for approval.

The Islamorada wastewater department is required to be self-supporting. When is the last time the Village established updated EDU counts and reviewed the billing policies? Now there is an urgent need with an FDEP mandate for costly fix.

Property Tax Debate:

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:42:32 GMT

Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez, both Republicans, are at odds over proposals to slash or eliminate property taxes as the 2026 legislative session approaches.

Here's the list of eight proposed resolutions to date, which must be approved by three-fifths of the Legislature before appearing on the ballot:

HJR 201 — Eliminates non-school homestead property taxes.
HJR 203 — Phases out non-school homestead property taxes over a decade.
HJR 205 — Exempts residents 65 and older from paying non-school homestead property taxes.
HJR 207 — Creates a non-school property tax homestead exemption equal to 25% of the assessed value of the house.
HJR 209 — Creates a $100,000 non-school homestead tax exemption for residences with property insurance.
HJR 211 — Eliminates the cap on portability, which lets homeowners transfer tax savings from their previous place to a new one. This means a homeowner can transfer their Save Our Homes tax cap benefit to a new home.
HJR 213 — Limits how much the assessed non-school property tax can grow for a home, from 3% every three years instead of 3% annually for homestead property, and 15% over three years for non-homestead property instead of 10% per year.
HB 215, which would make various changes including requiring a supermajority vote from a local government to pass a property tax increase and allowing newly married couples to combine their Save our Homes tax cap benefit.

According to Perez, "It is our position that the House does not need to limit itself in presenting one single plan, but instead allow the people of Florida the ability to choose some, all, or none of the proposals on the 2026 ballot,"

Governor DeSantis disagrees and believes a single issue should be on the ballot in November 2026 to simplify the process for voters. DeSantis has called for the homestead property tax to be eliminated.

There is a Legislative Delegation meeting November 13 for local governments and taxpayers to tell their Tallahassee representatives about wishes for the 2026 legislative session. Property tax is likely a controversy to be addressed.

Nov 13: 10 AM Monroe County Legislative Delegation Meeting; password:500812

Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:40:14 GMT

DOGE, may hold the answer as to how property taxes can be reduced. CFO Blaise Ingoglia and his team are focused on three priorities to boost affordability for Floridians and business owners: government waste, property taxes and insurance.

He’s constantly looking for ways to balance Florida’s business-friendly environment with making the state an affordable place for families.

“Traditionally, the places that have the highest cost of living are the places that have the most coastline and the most sunshine. It is very, very difficult to make ends meet there.” Ingoglia said.

“The fact of the matter is, many people from more expensive states are moving here to the state of Florida to experience the American dream. We are almost a victim of our own success because we are attracting people from all the other states now.”

Ingoglia criticized local governments for expanding their reach at taxpayers’ expense.

“Your local governments are not being good partners with you guys. They’re not being good partners for your family, they’re not being good partners with your business, because they are taking your property tax dollars and they are expanding the scope and the size of the government,” he said.

Ingoglia said his focus remains squarely on keeping Florida affordable.

Mosquito Questions?

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:37:04 GMT

A program at the Islamorada History and Discovery Center next week may be a chance to learn what our tax dollars do to keep the mosquito population in check… 2025 has been a bad mosquito year.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dubbed mosquitoes the "world's deadliest animal" due to the diseases they spread, causing over 700,000 deaths globally each year.

In Broward County, they are now using drones to control mosquito populations, enhancing precision and effectiveness in combating mosquitoes. Will drones be a feasible way to reduce the use of mosquito spraying helicopters here?

November 12th - Social Hour 5pm, Lecture 6pm

Affordable Housing Available!

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:34:46 GMT

Are We just Too Old to Get It?

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:31:45 GMT

Dictionary.com has announced its 2025 Word of the Year, and if you're not up to speed on this year's slang, you may be puzzled by the outcome.

On Oct 29, Dictionary.com announced its Word of the Year is "6-7." To younger folks, the phrase means "so-so" or "maybe this, maybe that," according to the news release.

We also have trouble understanding the expression “Ghosting.” It is a relatively new term that refers to abruptly cutting off contact with someone without giving that person any warning or explanation for doing so. We think perhaps that is what happens to folks providing public comment that the Council doesn’t want to hear.

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:06:04 GMT

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

In America we have a Representative Democracy. I assume that applies to the Village of Islamorada.

Voters elect members of Congress and Village Council to make decisions on our behalf based on our input.

Any decision by a representative to ignore their pledge to represent the will of voters, is a risk. Some are anesthetized by their perceived power and fail to express the will of the people.

A few years ago a Councilman insisted the voters had elected him to make decisions, sometimes disregarding their input. He was not reelected.

Founders Park, Baseball Field, Artificial turf: The council has an important decision to make impacting our much-loved community park.

The Founders Park purchase in 1998 has often been referred to as the smartest thing the Village has done (I concur), creating a much-loved centerpiece for the community owned 100% by Islamorada and its residents.

We elect 5 members of Council – and they have the final say in what happens at the community park.

Will they be strong representatives of the voters who care deeply about the park?

The baseball field is used by the Coral Shores High School baseball team, January through May via an agreement with the School Board. The School Board wants to upgrade the baseball field at taxpayer expense. Islamorada property owners all pay school taxes as well as Islamorada taxes. Ergo, it is our money.

Artificial or Real

The School Board’s planned design for the Village Park includes artificial turf. There is also a tremendous case to be made for “God’s green grass.”

Last week a Baseball Task Force met, made up of 5 local residents, formed to help the council with decisions related to the baseball field at the park.

Choosing between artificial turf and real grass involves many factors:

Costs, maintenance, aesthetics, durability, playability, environmental impact are all important factors

The task force heard from a scientist favoring real grass with scientific reasons and a salesman who sells artificial turf. Do we listen to the dynamic salesman? Or do we want the scientific facts? It seems like there is more research to do.

Will there be a survey of residents?

The task force recommended that a survey be conducted to find out whether the property owners/taxpayers want real grass or artificial turf at the park.

Will our council want to hear from the voters?

Will our elected representatives choose to ignore their campaign promises to represent us, safe in the knowledge that their position is secure until the next election and perhaps forgotten by then.

Many residents have long memories and will vote accordingly.

The baseball coaches think the decision needs to be made immediately so there will be artificial turf installed by the 2027 season.

The real grass will be what they play on in 2026 (and what Coral Shore players have played baseball on for generations).

If we don’t have all the answers, we should continue to gather the facts.

There is sufficient time to hear from the Islamorada residents. The residents own the park and their will should be the litmus test.

Waiting another year will only reflect a better decision… and the continued improvement of the artificial turf product.

We have artificial turf at the dog park. And we are getting artificial turf at the new playground at Founders Park.

I say - Ignore self-imposed deadlines and make good decisions.

The council owes the residents the ability to weigh in. We urge our Council to commission a survey of the residents of Islamorada. Let’s make the right decision.

Another topic: WE HAVE A WASTEWATER EMERGENCY!

While we thankRon Saunders for making wastewater a high priority, proper wastewater decisions are at a critical stage. What does it take to convene the council to explain our problem to residents and lay out the solutions and taxpayer costs?

It is undoubtedly the NUMBER ONE health and safety issue we have. Raw sewage is known to contain harmful disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites. If we continue to slow walk, we can destroy the environment that makes us special.

Anybody listening?

A maintenance plan and review of the 7 water crossings that contain buried sewer pipes should be regularly assessed for functionality and longevity. Foresight and prevention will prevent another wastewater calamity.

We urge a special public meeting to be conducted outlining problems, solutions and costs. It is what local governments are required to do for their constituents.

Elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

20 years ago Hurricane Wilma destroyed Village Hall at Founders Park:

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:04:07 GMT

Coastal flooding damaged beyond repair the old restaurant at Plantation Yacht Harbor that had been serving as Islamorada’s Village Hall. Many public record documents were stacked on the floor. Numerous homes on the bay side of town were also badly damaged by storm surge.

On Oct 18, 2005, Wilma transformed from a tropical storm to a Category Five hurricane in less than 24 hours. Oct 24 was the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Wilma plowing through Islamorada with 4-8 foot storm surge.

Wastewater: Last week we asked “can it get any worse?”

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:59:24 GMT

Perhaps now there is reason for just a touch of optimism.

But first the latest news: FDEP, Florida’s environmental regulators, have ordered the Village to fix Islamorada’s wastewater pipeline to Key Largo and pay $11,320 in fines for the repeated sewage spills that violated state clean-water rules. There have been six overflows from May 2021 to March 2025 with a total of 430,000 gal of raw sewage leaking from pipe ruptures.

On 12/23/23, FDEP authorized the Village plan to remedy the problem by replacing the pump facility on Gardenia St. But nothing has been done since then - almost two years and no action. And so the letter, dated October 15, 2025, from FDEP asks for the Village “Consent” to proceed with the changes the Village requested, with deadlines and stated penalties for pipeline failures - up to $15,000 per day.

Click here for the Consent Order draft to the Village from the Department of Environmental Protection detailing the issues, deadlines and possible fines they are asking Islamorada to agree to.

The Village has allocated $4.5 million in their current budget for the fix. It is unknown whether that will be the actual cost.

Since 2021, the Village engineers and Key Largo engineers have disagreed on the best approach, delaying work and resulting in more ruptures. Now Key Largo has agreed to accept the Village solution and will no longer object. Islamorada can now move forward. Whether Key Largo engineers had a better solution is still possible, but a stalemate resulting in doing nothing is not an option.

Since the first leak in 2021, Islamorada has had 4 Village Managers and 4 Interim Managers. Finally current Village Manager, Ron Saunders, is treating wastewater problems as a very high priority concern. And Saunders has brought in Peter Rosasco to help straighten out financial issues and EDU inconsistencies with our Wastewater Fund.

Best news: Saunders is being transparent about Village concerns and the impact on taxpayers. He provided the details of the FDEP demands in a Village newsletter last Friday. He acknowledges the wastewater concerns and is determined to clean things up.

The ABCs of Wastewater EDUs:

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:57:21 GMT

An EDU is an “Equivalent Dwelling Unit”assigning wastewater system usage based on the water consumption of properties compared to a typical single-family home. (157 gal/day = 1 EDU, approximating water in = wastewater out.

We have highlighted several specific concerns about whether the wastewater charges to Village property owners are fair and equitable.

In recent newsletters we have already questioned:

Is Sun Communities paying their fair share of wastewater costs?
Is the tiny 1947 trailer park near the Islamorada Post Office paying too much?
What about the three breweries in the Village paying a minimal amount?

Another concern:

Why does Village policy provide a volume discount for wastewater costs to the larger developments, resorts, marinas, restaurants with more than 10 EDUs? Shouldn’t they pay based on the volume of wastewater that goes into the central system? The wastewater fund has had million-dollar deficits - why would there be any discounts?

Wastewater is required to be self-supporting. When is the last time the Village established updated EDU counts and reviewed the billing policies?

Saving Alligator Lighthouse

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:50:00 GMT

In 2019, Friends of the Pool applied to acquire the 150-year-old Alligator Light. In 2021, Secretary of the Interior notified them that they would be deeded Alligator Light, no longer in use by the Coast Guard. But with the deed came a promise to restore Alligator Light, estimated cost: $9 million.

Those who love the iconic Light are invited to an annual fundraising gala on Tea Table Key, part of the Restore, Reignite and Reimagine campaign. Click Here for details.

Operation round up:

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:48:09 GMT

FKEC monthly electric bills have been rounded up to the nearest dollar, as members donate up to 99 cents per month to Operation Round Up.

Since 1994, the pennies collected have allowed the FKEC Members Charitable Trust to distribute almost $4 million to help local individuals or families with special needs.

Each application for funds is carefully reviewed and verified by the volunteer board of FKEC Members Charitable Trust.

MONROE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:43:23 GMT

MONROE COUNTY DELEGATION MEETING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81229342524...

password:500812

Florida’s lawmakers are hosting legislative delegation meetings in each of the 67 counties— a vital opportunity for citizens to speak directly to their state lawmakers. These annual meetings give legislators a chance to hear local concerns and priorities before the next legislative session begins, and public comment can help shape what issues they focus on in Tallahassee.

Florida Chamber of Commerce graded each elected representative in Tallahassee for the 2025 legislative session. This organization addresses key issues facing Florida’s business community working to unite those businesses, to fighting for economic opportunities and grow private-sector jobs. Of the 120 House representatives, Mooney was in the top 5 with a grade of 96% on their report card.

Progress Florida and Florida Watch graded each state legislator based on their voting record on issues they believe matter most to Floridians: affordability, the economy, our health, public schools, clean air and water, and more.

Mooney was near the bottom in their judgement, scoring an “F.”

Perhaps Islamorada is lucky. Jim Mooney is extremely knowledgeable about the Village, having lived here for decades and served on the Village Council. Islamorada has opportunities to interact with Mooney and get help on issues of significance locally. The local government certainly should work closely with Mooney on legislative issues that impact the community.

The Monroe County Delegation Meeting on November 13th is one of those opportunities.

Islamorada should communicate local concerns to Mooney so that he has an opportunity to assist - and to get an A+ on the Village report card.

Disposing of old American Flags

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:41:39 GMT

Did you know: blue flag collection boxes created by local Eagle Scout Brian L. Neuzil in 2017 are located at the three Islamorada Fire Stations and the lobby of Village Hall.

One Pole, 2 Conflicting Signs Back to Back?

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:37:51 GMT

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance - Divided Community

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:22:07 GMT

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?

While running for office last year, all of the candidates for Village Council pledged to protect our environment, our quiet enjoyment of life, and our limited infrastructure.

All seemed opposed to those who want to keep building, and to the unfettered establishment of businesses and tourism.

It is no secret the Village is deeply divided on these issues. I believe that the majority of residents want to preserve our lifestyle and environment. And all the candidates last fall seemed to support that philosophy.

Once in office did things change? I always judge people on what they do, not what they pledged in order to get elected.

At the very first Village Council meeting last November, the newly elected Council waived their Meeting Rules in order to reconsider the number of additional BPAS building allocations Islamorada would request from the state of Florida. The limit has always been based on assuring all residents can be evacuated within 24 hours in case of a major hurricane. But perhaps adding a half hour, 24 1/2 hours, would be safe.

Our prior council, after months of workshops, studies and input from residents, requested 104 additional BPAS units. Council Member Steve Friedman expressed concerns about overdevelopment and the environment and noted his displeasure at the effort to overthrow the past council’s decision of adding another 104 homes.

In a 3-2 vote, with Friedman and Sharon Mahoney dissenting, the newly elected council nearly doubled the prior request for 104 permits. They voted to ask for 199.

Why? Who demanded this? The prior number of 104 was derived by ceding middle ground, a staple of good governance. The revised number of 199 was strictly a display of power by the new council and their intention to use it.

Middle ground be damned! Our politicians focus on defeating their political enemies, not governance for all.

Too many residents refuse to speak up no matter how strongly they feel. By not calling attention to themselves, residents don’t face the contempt from those who wield political and commercial power. And these are real fears.

Those council members who support middle ground are voted down. Residents who disagree with the elected officials in power are considered political enemies, not simply citizens of Islamorada with a different point of view.

I think that the mark of a leader is one who encourages the public, listens to their concerns and reaches middle ground.

We have seen what demonizing one’s opponents can do. It creates deeper divides.

Of great concern to all is the effort to silence those who disagree, instead of reaching compromise and uniting a fractured village.

Another indication of eliminating minority opinion: the Council changed the selection process for Village citizen committees.

In the past, each member of council could select someone from the community to serve on the committees. Now committee selection is by majority vote of Council. Three votes rule. No minority opinions allowed!

That means that those in the majority on Council control everything, including the voices of some residents who’d like to serve on a committee, but have differing philosophies from the majority on Council. This further weakens our village government processes.

Polarization isn’t just an obstacle to tackling serious problems, it’s preventing our community members from seeing their partisan rivals as friends and equals.

We pledge, at the ICA, to educate voters on the issues and call out those who do not perform and try to hoodwink voters.

You can count on us.

Elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello

Emily Rother, new Village employee:

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:18:57 GMT

“Emily is a new beam of light in our Village” according to local artist Beth Kamenstein.

One of Emily’s initial projects is showing art from local artists on temporary display at Village Hall and Founders Park.

Emily’s goal as the Village’s new Cultural Arts Coordinator, in her own words, is to “enhance the richness and accessibility of Islamorada’s culture. The Art in Public Buildings program is a perfect example: supporting our local artists with the opportunity to sell their artwork and also making our public spaces more creative.”

The exhibition will be on display from November 2025 through March 2026 in Village buildings. Click here for more details.

Emily is also working with the Florida Keys Council of the Arts to bring an interactive sculpture, “Hourglass,” to Southwinds Park as part of the county Sculpture Trail.

The ABC’s of Wastewater EDUs:

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:16:02 GMT

An EDU is an “Equivalent Dwelling Unit”assigning wastewater system usage based on the water consumption of properties compared to a typical single-family home. (157 gal/day = 1 EDU)

Last week we questioned why the Sun Community development at MM87.5 (55 stilt homes, 90 RV spaces and a huge community center) pays an annual wastewater assessment for just 50 EDUs, $7,523.48, while the tiny 1947 Trailer Park at MM82.9 pays $4,405.76 for 17.21 EDUs. Where is the fairness? We got no answer. Are small properties and single family dwellings subsidizing wastewater for the big guys?

This week we noticed an oddity in the EDU numbers for local breweries:

The two breweries on Upper Matecumbe are listed as having 1 EDU each, though one even has a vacation rental on the second floor.
The MM90 Brewpub/Restaurant/Distillery has a maximum seating for 160 customers and has 7 apartments on the second floor. They have 7 EDUs (1 for each apartment), none for a 160-seat Brewpub/Restaurant/Distillery facility?

Bars and restaurants typically have multiple EDUs as they use so much more water than a single-family home. Islamorada needs to fix this EDU issue.

Islamorada should review all EDU counts immediately. Huge wastewater deficits year after year should not continue. Wastewater is required to be self-supporting.

Baseball Task Force meeting lasted nearly 4 hours.

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:13:36 GMT

The group met October 20 to discuss the revised design plans approved by the School District Oct 7, the use and license agreements that spell out when the field will be available to the school and who will be responsible for costs, maintenance and replacement of capital portions of the field.

Presentations were made to educate the task force and public about the pros and cons of artificial turf and real grass. One presentation was made by a representative of AstroTurf, a company that will be bidding to provide their company’s artificial turf at the park. Via Zoom, a research analyst from the University of Florida detailed the benefits of real grass.

With four members of the Task Force present, that group, appointed by Manager Ron Saunders, made it clear that a majority felt strongly that a survey of Islamorada residents and taxpayers should be done before the final decisions are made regarding the design plans, surface of the field, and the shared use of the high school baseball field at Founders Park.

The task force members and those members of the public in attendance should be congratulated on the time spent and the extensive research they did. If an informal vote of those in attendance had occurred after the presentations, it seemed clear that real grass would have won easily.

A video of the meeting can be viewed from the Village website.

New Business in Islamorada

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:10:20 GMT

At the old Lions Lair building south of the Wendys on Upper Matecumbe, Patti and Brian Lindback, Jr. will be opening a new business next month…. Ocean Drive Indoor Golf! Both Lindbacks were high school and college athletes and wanted to find a business that they loved. And so the creative couple came up with a fascinating business plan.

Customers will swing real golf clubs and hit real golf balls into challenging golf courses on huge electronic screens that reproduce true-to-life golf simulation. A great way to learn golf or improve your skills or just for a social opportunity to spend fun time with friends.

The business will have three large screens where up to 18 customers at a time can hone their golfing skills. They have even hired golf pro, Dillon Fay, to provide golf lessons!

The Lindbacks expect to open in November. Golf simulation technology is now being used by championship golfers around the globe to improve their game. You can too!

Remember Bernie LaPira?

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:09:13 GMT

Bernie was employed by the Village from Jan 2000 until he retired in Jan 2006. The last few years of employment, he was the Village Manager. Bernie has often been described as the only manager in Village history who was not either fired or pressured to resign. Bernie retired! Bernie, still retired, is back in the Keys! He was greeted with much love and admiration when he attended the Oct Council meeting.

Photo of the Week:

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:06:38 GMT

Coral Shores senior, Layne Smith (to the right of Mayor Mahoney) receives an award at last Village Council meeting for her first-place finish in the grueling annual 8-mile Alligator Lighthouse Swim. Congratulations Layne!

Photo of the Week:

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:12:14 GMT

Residents in a large part of the Village were treated to a spectacular double rainbow over the ocean last week, many hoping there was a pot of gold at the end that could help bail out the wastewater deficit!

Did you notice the order of the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet) are in reverse order on the top dimmer rainbow. And we hear there is no pot of gold at the end of the second rainbow.

Keys-wide retreat for Christian men: make a positive difference

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:09:02 GMT

History of the Dive Museum Program

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:02:34 GMT

Orange Cones on the Fills are gone!

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:56:45 GMT

Do you remember the June 2022 article in an Islamorada Community Alliance newsletter about the need to get rid of the ugly orange cones on the Fills? Guess what! Three years, two new councils, and a few Village Managers later and they are finally gone. And Sue Miller didn’t have to volunteer her day to remove them. Click here to read the story.

In 2019 the Village leased the Fills from FDOT for 5 years to control the crowds, the trash, and the haphazard parking and picnicking every weekend. The lease has expired and FDOT recently asked the Village to remove the orange cones so they can proceed with a landscaping project from MM75 to MM81.4 including the Fills.

It will be interesting to see if the simple “No Parking” signs that have lined the Fills for years will now be as effective as the Village’s employees sitting along the highway every weekend costing taxpayers well over half a million dollars in overtime pay for the last 5 years.

Baseball Task Force meeting Oct 20, 5:30 PM.

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:51:04 GMT

The Task Force appointed by Village Manager Ron Saunders will meet next week to discuss the $6 Million design plans approved by the School District. Also on the agenda: a use agreement and license agreement to spell out when the field will be available to the school and who will be responsible for costs, maintenance and replacement of capital portions of the field.

The plans approved by the school district include artificial turf, an 800 sq ft concession stand with four restrooms and public address facility, new bleachers, and dugouts. No native trees are to be impacted. A new 2200 sq ft building was eliminated.

The restrooms and locker rooms down the first base line near the park entrance will be rehabilitated by the school district prior to the upcoming 2026 baseball season.

Draft of License Agreement

Draft of Use Agreement

Senate Bill 180, More BPAS Allocations on the Way:

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:48:45 GMT

Senate Bill 180 passed the 2025 legislative session and included an increase in the required hurricane evacuation clearance time for Monroe County from 24 hours to 24.5 hours and allows up to 900 additional ROGO/BPAS allocations Keys-wide.

The allocations are to be distributed based on the proportion of vacant buildable lots in each jurisdiction. The 900 must be spread over at least 10 years.

All new permits must be issued for vacant, buildable parcels, only one per individual lot, and allocations for owner-occupied residences, affordable housing, and workforce housing must be prioritized.

While it has not been confirmed, it is believed the table below reflects the distribution.

A Comp Plan amendment will be needed to distribute the Village allocations according to the restrictions approved by the state.

BUT there’s a catch: The same legislation, SB 180, created a complication. It does not allow local governments to adopt amendments to their land development code or comp plan that are more restrictive than current code. And the same SB 180 requires more restrictive ROGO/BPAS distribution requirements.

The portion of SB 180 that doesn’t allow more restrictive changes to regulations until July 2027 is already being challenged by numerous local governments throughout the state. The 2025 Legislative Session will address this issue.

Critical to Islamorada: The fact SB 180 prohibits any changes to local land use law that would be considered “more restrictive,” the $125,000 contract with Able City East comes into question. Considering the traffic congestion, environmental damage, limited infrastructure, it would seem likely that amendments to the Village Comp Plan being developed currently by Able City may be in jeopardy as “more restrictive.”

Note: Islamorada still has 292 affordable BPAS allocations the state gave the Village following Hurricane Irma. They are also restricted - multi-family with onsite management. Referred to as “early out” allocations, occupants of these units must evacuate before other local residents. Why aren’t they being used?

Tues Oct 7 Council Meeting -

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:46:37 GMT

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.

From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance:

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 18:12:15 GMT

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

Beautification is arriving!

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:25:24 GMT

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.