![]() MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County has focused on informing the public about the Rate of Growth Ordinance, or ROGO, also known as BPAS in some municipalities, for the last few months. Strategic Planning is on track to give a total of 28 presentations in addition to hosting several public town hall meetings to be scheduled at the end of August throughout the Florida Keys and on Monroe County TV to allow everyone to participate in this process. Two public ROGO surveys have also been distributed so far. Survey #1 focused on determining where our community receives its information and received over 1850 responses. Survey #2 is currently live, and as of the July 17 BOCC meeting, it has received 1577 responses and will be available until Sunday, July 28 at 5 p.m. “These results signal an uptick in public interest, which is important,” says Senior Director of Strategic Planning Kimberly Matthews. “We want to ensure we have a kaleidoscope of information from our community to address the nuances of these decisions and how they will affect the Florida Keys.” Survey #2 focuses on housing, commuting, livability, and getting a multidimensional view of citizen life. All residents are encouraged to participate in the surveys. The survey can be found directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCROGOSurvey2 or at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/rogo2024. Additional surveys will be made available throughout the process to focus on other concerns regarding the hurricane evacuation modeling. The Dept. of Commerce’s hurricane evacuation modeling is based on a Florida Statute requiring that Monroe County residents be able to evacuate the Florida Keys within 24 hours before a storm. Any ROGO/BPAS allocations awarded could be issued over the next 10 to 30 years or at a rate that does not lead to unbalanced growth or additional takings liability. To learn more about these terms, why they are important, to view the process, or to see upcoming meetings, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/rogo2024. The results of Survey #1 are also available on the website.
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MONROE COUNTY, FL – Today, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners discussed potential grant applications for road adaptation projects and other projects to be submitted for funding under year four of the Resilient Florida program, which was signed into law by the State of Florida in 2021 (Section 380.093, F.S.).
The goal of the Resilient Florida program focuses on evaluating local assets, assessing their vulnerability, and providing grants to support long-term resilience needs. This year, County staff proposed three project applications to be submitted by the Sept. 1, 2024 deadline:
Since the start of the Resilient Florida program, Monroe County has been awarded $45.2 million for projects like the Stillwright Point road elevation design, Twin Lakes road elevation and stormwater, Harry Harris Park resilience redesign, road elevation projects in Winston Waterways, Conch Key, and Big Coppitt, and living shoreline adaptations on Long Key and Duck Key. An additional $12.2 million award for Sands neighborhood road elevation may be pending. “These grant awards represent the culmination of a decade of planning work by County staff,” said Monroe County Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. “Additional awards may be more challenging due to limited funding and increased competition.” Monroe County staff have obtained more than $200 million in federal and state awards for Florida Keys resilience projects. CONCH CONNECT RIDESHARE SERVICE (POWERED BY FREEBEE) BEGINS JULY 15 IN STOCK ISLAND AND KEY WEST7/10/2024 STOCK ISLAND & KEY WEST, FL— Conch Connect (powered by Freebee) is a new, on-demand rideshare service in Stock Island and Key West using all-electric Teslas. Monroe County and a grant from the Florida Dept. of Transportation bring Conch Connect to you.
Starting July 15, Conch Connect will operate 7 days a week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Rides will cost $2 per rider and can be paid via the Freebee app or by calling 855-918-3733. Cash is not accepted. Users can download the app by searching "Ride Freebee" on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Please request rides at least 20 minutes in advance. For more information, visit ConchConnect.org, or scan the QR code below (or attached) to download the app. MONROE COUNTY, FL--The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is committed to a robust public participation process regarding the state-mandated hurricane evacuation modeling discussions that will continue through January 2025. In survey #1, more than 1,850 people replied, which helped us learn how people receive their information and their basic knowledge of ROGO and BPAS. Today, survey #2 is available with a focus on housing, commuting, and the livability of the Florida Keys. The survey is available until Saturday, July 28 at 5 p.m.
Monroe County community members are invited to take this survey, which is the second of several. The survey can be found directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCROGOSurvey2. The 14-question survey shouldn’t take too long (approximately four minutes). Additional surveys will be available in August to help gauge what the community wants to see moving forward. “The goal of these surveys is to learn and understand more about the issues and challenges our residents encounter in their daily life concerning housing, essential services, quality of life, and more,” said Kimberly Matthews, Monroe County Strategic Planner. “We will also be asking for your opinions, ideas, and desires for the future of our community in upcoming surveys.” Monroe County continues to host workshops and updates during regularly scheduled BOCC meetings and began meeting with nonprofit and civic groups throughout the Florida Keys regarding the Dept. of Commerce’s hurricane evacuation modeling to gauge public opinions on everything that affects evacuation timing and the number of additional ROGO/BPAS allocations, if any, the County and municipalities should request from the State. The hurricane evacuation modeling is based on a Florida Statute requiring that Monroe County residents be able to evacuate the Florida Keys within 24 hours before a storm. Any allocations awarded could be issued over the next 10 to 30 years or at a rate that does not lead to unbalanced growth or additional takings liability. To learn more about these terms, why they are important, to view the process, or to see upcoming meetings, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/rogo2024. MONROE COUNTY, FL — Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein was reelected to the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Board of Directors on June 28 during the Annual Conference and Educational Exhibition in Orlando. Raschein was also appointed as Chair of FAC’s Water and Environmental Sustainability policy committee.
“There is nothing more important than our water and environment when it comes to the Florida Keys and our entire state,” said Raschein. “It is an honor to continue to serve on this policy committee and be reelected to the board to make sure that the issues we face here in the Florida Keys are known statewide while we champion for all Florida counties in the process.” During her two-year term on the FAC Board of Directors, Raschein will represent her community’s local interests by overseeing the association’s efforts and initiatives. As chair of the policy committee, she will lead advocacy efforts focused on developing policies related to water and the environment in Florida’s counties. “Commissioner Raschein’s extensive knowledge and experience make her an exceptional choice for these positions,” said FAC President and Okeechobee County Commissioner Terry Burroughs. “Coming from Monroe County, she deeply understands water and environmental concerns and will ensure our local interests are represented to help develop policies to protect Florida’s natural resources.” FAC is governed by five executive officers, six county commissioners appointed at-large, and the past presidents of FAC. MONROE COUNTY, FL — Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Jim Scholl was presented with the Certified County Commissioner (CCC) designation from the Institute for County Government (ICG) at an award ceremony held at the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Annual Conference and Educational Exhibition in Orlando.
The CCC designation is a voluntary program of study designed for county commissioners to learn information and enhance skills relevant to their duties and responsibilities as elected officials. "The amount of knowledge exchanged in this program is vast," Scholl said. "I've had the opportunity to make numerous connections with commissioners across the state, which will benefit the well-being of our county." The CCC educational program is an initiative comprising of 45 hours of coursework. This program's curriculum encompasses a diverse range of courses, such as growth management, financial management, and ethics, as well as elective courses such as affordable housing, emergency management, and resiliency. "The CCC program highlights the quality of local leaders we have in the state of Florida," said Eric Poole, Executive Director of ICG. "For them to invest their time into completing coursework to benefit their constituents and community, they demonstrate their dedication to going above and beyond the expected duties of a county commissioner." The CCC program is made possible through a continuing partnership with the University of Florida/IFAS Extension. To learn more about ICG and the CCC designation, please visit flicg.org. MONROE COUNTY, FL — Last Thursday, nine mayors from across South Florida met for the Florida League of Mayors Regional Roundtable Discussion on Mental Health and Veterans Issues in Islamorada. Monroe County Veterans Affairs Director Cathy Crane and Village of Islamorada Mayor Buddy Pinder helped facilitate the meeting. Florida League of Mayors President Scott Brook of Coral Springs led the meeting.
Those in attendance discussed initiatives to help support Veterans, such as mentorship, employment programs, and free meal or discount services. Eleven Florida Keys Veterans shared their input, pointing out difficulties regarding Veterans' healthcare and requesting mental and physical health services. The Veterans also wanted local officials to help promote current veteran resources, such as local facilities and crisis hotlines. "The roundtable discussion gave veterans in Monroe County an opportunity to engage in a productive dialogue with the region's mayors," said Crane. "They addressed important issues such as mental health and suicide, access to healthcare, employment, and mentorship programs, and the need for support for veterans transitioning into civilian life." Monroe County has two Veteran Affairs offices, one in Key West (305-295-5150) and one in Key Largo (305-453-8777), and hosts a satellite office in Marathon (305-295-5150) on the second Wednesday of each month. The department can help with a variety of services for Veterans, including:
The department also assists 100 percent service-connected in obtaining state benefits, such as free car tags and fishing licenses. To reach the Veterans crisis hotline, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. There are more than 8,000 Veterans in Monroe County. For more information on Veterans Affairs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va. MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln was chosen as president-elect of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) on Friday. She was elected at the association's annual business meeting hosted during FAC's Annual Conference & Educational Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.
Commissioner Lincoln has served on FAC's executive committee for two years, most recently as first vice president. She also actively participates in FAC's policy committees, including the Select Committee for Preemption and the Water and Environmental Sustainability Committee. "I love serving Monroe County and my position on FAC's executive committee provides a platform to advocate for my community at a statewide level," said Lincoln. "I am grateful to my peers for advancing me to this position and allowing me to ensure that all 67 counties are represented, including those with unique needs like my own." In addition to her leadership positions at FAC, Lincoln has also earned her Advanced County Commissioner II designation, the highest level of commissioner education offered by the association. "Commissioner Lincoln exceeds the usual responsibilities of a commissioner, relentlessly advancing her expertise to enhance her growth as a public servant," said Ginger Delegal, Executive Director of FAC. "She approaches every challenge with fairness and consideration for all counties, and I look forward to what she will accomplish this year." As president-elect, Lincoln will oversee the association's policy and advocacy efforts and will chair the finance and audit committee. Lincoln is joined on the FAC executive committee by President Terry Burroughs of Okeechobee County, First Vice President Rene Flowers of Pinellas County, Second Vice President John Meeks of Levy County, and Immediate Past President Bill Truex of Charlotte County. KEY WEST, FL – Last week, the newly renovated restrooms at Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach in Key West opened to the public, one week ahead of schedule.
Overseen by Monroe County Project Management, the project was fully funded by the Tourist Development Council. Through Monroe County’s bidding process, the restrooms were constructed by Barracuda Builders of Key West and designed by Bender and Associates. These new restrooms are structurally sound concrete buildings with stucco and beautiful coral stone cladding designed to withstand hurricane wind and surge. The facility also includes:
![]() KEY LARGO, FL--Monroe County has issued a July 8, 2024, notice to proceed to the contractor for the Key Largo III Roadway and Drainage project. The project area includes certain roads in the Harris Ocean Park Estates, Ocean Park Village, Palma Sola, and Burton’s Yacht Basin subdivisions and includes drainage improvements, milling and resurfacing, establishing roadway crowns, with minor widening on Burton, Planter, and First Street in order to create compliant bicycle lanes. The County obtained two Florida Department of Transportation Small County Outreach grants to fund 75 percent of the project cost. Project completion is scheduled for July 2025. Information on County road projects can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/roadprojects. |
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