​MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recently approved the county’s 2026 State Legislative agenda. Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson outlined Monroe County’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session, which will start Jan. 13, 2026.
 
This year’s legislative priorities reflect the county’s ongoing dedication to preserving the unique environment, economy, and quality of life in the Florida Keys, while also addressing challenges related to insurance affordability, property tax stability, and flood resilience.
 
Key highlights of the 2026 legislative agenda include:
 
• Property Tax Monitoring: Monitor any state or executive proposals that could reduce or eliminate property taxes, which serve as the county’s most reliable funding source for essential services like law enforcement, emergency response, and public health.
• Water Quality Protection: Advocate for a $20 million appropriation under the Florida Keys Stewardship Act and continued funding for Monroe County’s vessel pump-out program and other water quality projects that protect coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and canal systems vital to the Florida Keys’ tourism and fisheries economy.
• Land Acquisition (Florida Forever): Support the continuation of the $5 million Florida Forever set-aside through 2036 for land acquisition to retire development rights and protect environmentally sensitive areas. The county is also requesting $2.5 million in appropriations for targeted land acquisition to mitigate military encroachment and support affordable housing initiatives.
• Affordable and Workforce Housing: Pursue state legislation to exempt Habitat for Humanity from construction performance bond requirements on county-leased land and seek authorization for ad valorem tax relief for long-term workforce rental properties.
• Wind and Hurricane Insurance Affordability: Advocate for the restoration of the 10 percent annual rate cap on Citizens Property Insurance, an increase in coverage limits to $1.5 million, and the rollback of flood insurance mandates for properties outside designated flood zones.
• Resilience and Flooding: Continue to secure Resilient Florida Grant Program funding for county road elevation and flood mitigation projects that address tidal and storm-related flooding, which threatens homes, infrastructure, and public safety.
• School Readiness Program Eligibility: Support legislation to raise the income eligibility threshold for Monroe County families, allowing more working parents to access early education opportunities that prepare children for school success.
• Area of Critical State Concern and ROGO Protection: Advocate for exemptions to state land-use preemptions that could override Monroe County’s Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO), Comprehensive Plan, or environmental protections that safeguard the Florida Keys’ fragile ecosystem.
 
“Monroe County has benefitted greatly from the leadership of our delegation members, Senator Rodriguez and Representative Mooney, and the ongoing support from the legislature and the Governor’s office. Our successful collaboration with state leaders enables us to continue preserving the uniqueness of the Florida Keys and our unmatched environment,” said Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson. “This year’s agenda continues that partnership, addressing emerging issues and reinforcing our commitment to the sustainable future of the Florida Keys.”
 
More information about Monroe County’s legislative priorities can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/legislativeaffairs.

BIG PINE KEY, FL – Monroe County Parks and Beaches, along with the Lower Keys Rotary, will start a new tradition with the inaugural Big Pine Key Tree Lighting on Friday, Nov. 21, at Big Pine Key Community Park. The event begins at 6 p.m., and the official lighting of the 14-foot-tall holiday tree will take place at 7 p.m. The event is free.
 
Families are invited to ring in the holiday season with an evening full of festive fun, including games, a holiday hayride, live entertainment, s’mores, and hot cocoa. Young guests can visit Santa’s Village for holiday cheer and a chance to meet Santa Claus.
 
“This is a great opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the spirit of the season,” said Parks and Beaches Director John Allen. “We’re excited to start this new holiday tradition with our local families and neighbors.”
 
For more information about Monroe County Parks and Beaches events, visit www.ParksAndBeaches.Fun.

MARATHON, FL – America Recycles Day is Friday, Nov. 15. On Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monroe County Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel will host an educational outreach table at the Marathon Winn-Dixie to help shoppers learn how to properly recycle soft plastics and plastic shopping bags. While these items cannot be placed in curbside recycling bins, they can be recycled through the NexTrex collection program located at every Winn-Dixie store in Monroe County.
 
The goal of the event is to educate and remind residents that items such as plastic grocery bags, bubble wrap, plastic shipping sleeves, and other clean bags can be placed in the containers located at the shopping centers.
 
Giveaways will include magnets with recycling reminders, brochures outlining Monroe County’s recycling programs, and reusable shopping bags to encourage the reduction of single-use plastics.
 
“This is a quick, easy way for residents to make a difference,” said Tuschel. “If everyone took a second to bring soft plastics back to the store when they come to pick up their groceries, it would significantly reduce contamination in our recycling system.”
 
NexTrex processes the recycled items to create construction materials.
 
For more information about Monroe County’s recycling programs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/recycle.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – In advance of Veterans Day, Monroe County is illuminating the Harvey Government Center and the Historic Gato Building in Key West and the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo green from Nov. 3 through Nov. 11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military Veterans. Veterans Day is Nov. 11. The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties, raises awareness about the unique challenges many Veterans face and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist Veterans and their families. This is the fourth year Monroe County has participated in the initiative.
 
Residents, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to participate by changing one light bulb at their home to a green one.
 
“Lighting up Monroe County in green is a small gesture that carries a big message: we see our Veterans, we thank them, and we are here to support them,” said Cathy Crane, Director of Community Services. “As we mark our fourth year participating in Operation Green Light, we invite the entire community to join us in this unified display of gratitude.”
 
For more information on Operation Green Light, visit https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans. To learn more about Monroe County Veterans Affairs and the services offered, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va. 

​STOCK ISLAND, FL – Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez met with Mayor Jim Scholl, District 1 County Commissioner Craig Cates, and Marine Resources Administrator Brittany Burtner today to present $1.65 million for funding the construction of the shoreside facility needed at the Boca Chica Mooring Field project. The county also thanks Representative Jim Mooney, the state legislature, and Gov. Ron DeSantis for the funding. The facilities will include restrooms, a dockmaster’s office, a sewage pump-out station, and recycling areas.
 
“This project is a game-changer for the lower Florida Keys,” said Cates, who has been championing the mooring field in his district. “By managing this harbor, we’re taking a huge step forward in protecting our marine environment, improving public safety, and supporting our liveaboard community.”
 
The project supports Florida’s statutory requirements for creating a designated, regulated anchorage under Section 327.4108, and it will help protect sensitive marine habitats by reducing damage from unmanaged anchoring, enhancing public safety, and providing needed shoreside infrastructure to support the boating community.
 
Monroe County has worked for over two decades to create a managed mooring field in the harbor. The harbor has long served as an unmanaged anchorage, resulting in significant environmental damage to coral, seagrass, and water quality. It is also home to numerous derelict vessels and has been plagued by improper waste disposal.
 
“The mooring field and facility will also help decrease the risk of vessel groundings, which can lead to fuel, oil, and sewage leaks in sensitive habitats and enable better regulation of vessel activity, including monitoring of vessel condition, proper sewage discharge, and use of pump-out services,” said Burtner.
 
It has been over 23 years since a public mooring field was established in the Florida Keys.
 
The mooring field will implement environmentally friendly anchoring systems that prevent damage to the harbor’s seafloor, enabling seagrasses and other marine ecosystems to recover and thrive. Additionally, the shoreside facilities will provide regulated access for boaters, enhancing safety and cleanliness in the area.
 
For more information, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/marineresources.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County, in partnership with SoilMate Composting and sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida, is launching a pilot Food Waste Collection Program to help Upper Keys residents divert organic material from landfills and turn it into nutrient-rich compost.
 
The three-month pilot program will start Nov. 17 and will run through Feb. 6, 2026, with three drop-off locations where residents can bring their food scraps for composting. The community is also invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean Studies Charter School site in Key Largo. The ceremony will be held behind the playground.
 
Biodegradable bags are available at all collection locations. Residents can drop off food waste free of charge at any of the following Upper Keys locations during the pilot project:

• Ocean Studies Charter School – 11-27 Rock Harbor Drive, Key Largo (behind playground)
• Atlantic Trash and Transfer – 300 Atlantic Drive, Key Largo
• Coral Isles Church – 90001 Overseas Highway, Tavernier (behind fellowship hall)

 
To ensure high-quality compost and prevent contamination, only food scraps will be accepted. No yard waste, paper, unapproved compostable bags, or foodware (plastics) of any kind will be accepted.
 
“This program gives residents a simple, convenient way to be part of a solution,” said Monroe County Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel. “Every pound of food waste diverted is one less pound ending up in the landfill.”
 
Residents can fill out an interest form at www.your-soilmate.com/pages/monroe to receive the registration link in November. Registration includes a brief education session, followed by a unique access code for the drop-off sites.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Community Services continues its support of the Guidance/Care Center, Inc. (GCC)’s transportation services for eligible riders throughout the Florida Keys.
 
Eligible riders include Monroe County residents aged 60 and older, residents with disabilities, residents with limited income, and those who need assistance with essential or priority transportation.
 
Priority trips include medical and health appointments, meal sites, public assistance, grocery shopping, employment, and other approved programs.
 
APPLY TODAY!
 
Monroe County Community Services encourages residents who think they may qualify to contact them for referrals and additional information on other programs. For more information, email [email protected] or call 305-292-4408.
 
Residents may also contact the Guidance/Care Center directly at 305-434-7660 option #2 or visit www.guidancecarecenter.org.

MONROE COUNTY – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners recognizes its long-term employees for their contributions to the citizens of the county. See below those celebrating milestones this month.
 
25 Years

• Tamara Lamarche, Executive Aide to Commissioner David Rice

 
15 Years

• Reynaldo Ortiz, Assistant Building Official

 
10 Years

• John Guieb, Monroe County Fire Rescue
• Alan MacEachern, Information Technology Director

 
5 Years

• Andre Castro, Monroe County Fire Rescue
• Sam Farfan, Monroe County Fire Rescue
• Jesus Miranda, Monroe County Fire Rescue

​BOCA CHICA, FL -- At the Oct. 15 meeting, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved adding the Boca Chica Mooring Field project to the list of eligible projects in the county’s RESTORE Act Multi-Year Implementation Plan (MYIP).
 
The RESTORE (Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies) Act of the Gulf Coast States of 2012 was enacted in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The act directs Clean Water Act civil penalties from the oil spill into the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund to support environmental and economic recovery projects in the Gulf Coast region. Monroe County’s MYIP, first approved in 2015 and accepted by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 2016, outlines how the county uses its share of funds to implement projects that restore and protect natural resources, improve water quality, and strengthen local communities.
 
The Boca Chica Mooring Field project supports Florida’s statutory requirements for creating a designated, regulated anchorage under Section 327.4108, and it will help protect sensitive marine habitats by reducing damage from unmanaged anchoring, enhancing public safety, and providing needed shoreside infrastructure to support the boating community.
 
“The mooring field will prevent anchor-related damage to seagrass beds and coral reefs caused by traditional anchoring methods,” said Marine Resources Administrator Brittany Burtner. “It will also help decrease the risk of vessel groundings, which can lead to fuel, oil, and sewage leaks in sensitive habitats and enable better regulation of vessel activity, including monitoring of vessel condition, proper sewage discharge, and use of pump-out services.”
 
The amendment will enable the county to use $3.5 million in RESTORE Act funding, combined with a $1.65 million state legislative appropriation, to construct the shoreside facility needed for the mooring field.
 
The public is invited to comment on the proposed amendment for 45 days from Oct. 16 to Dec. 2, 2025, by emailing [email protected]. Comments received during the public review period will be considered before the amendment is finalized and submitted to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for approval.
 
For more information about the RESTORE Act and Monroe County’s MYIP, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/restoreact.

​MONROE COUNTY, FL – Last week, Monroe County Planning Growth Management staff met with representatives from Florida Commerce and the Governor’s office in Tallahassee. The meeting was to discuss the process for incorporating additional Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) units approved in the past legislative session into the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan for building permits. State of Florida staff indicated that the required updated modeling is complete; however, they are still finalizing the exact method by which the state will confirm and approve the number of units to be distributed to each jurisdiction.
 
The newly adopted statutory requirements include the following:

• The permit allocations must be distributed to counties and municipalities based on the number of vacant buildable lots within each jurisdiction.
• The permit allocations must be distributed over a period of at least 10 years.
• The permit allocations may not exceed 900 total Keyswide permit allocations.
• All permits must be issued for vacant, buildable parcels.
• Only one permit may be awarded for any individual parcel.
• The distribution must prioritize allocations for owner-occupied residences, affordable housing, and workforce housing.

 
Both state offices indicated a potential requirement for approval by the Governor and Cabinet through the Administration Commission. The next Cabinet meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16, but it is unknown if ROGO allocations will be included on that agenda at this time.
 
“Monroe County’s current ROGO allocations run out in July 2026,” said Growth Management Director Emily Schemper. “This makes the need to move forward on the lengthy process for a comprehensive plan amendment to add or redistribute units urgent.”
 
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners will discuss the topic at their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at approximately 11:30 a.m., at the Marathon Government Center. Until the state provides further guidance, staff is recommending using 62 of the county’s existing set-aside ROGO allocations known as “administrative relief” for building permit awards through July 2027. This ensures the county can continue issuing building permits after July 2026, when the existing ROGO allocations expire.
 
Additional information and meeting details can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/meetings. The item is J6.