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Village Weekly Update
October 5, 2026
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The second and final Village budget hearing was held last Monday September 28 at the Founders Park Community Center.
The Village Council unanimously approved a budget for the fiscal year which started on October 1 based on the current millage rate of 2.65 mills.
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That means that a property owner will not see a property tax increase for Islamorada’s share of the tax bill unless the property’s assessed value was increased by the Monroe County Property Appraiser.
Click here to view the resolution adopting a final millage rate and the proposed budget.
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The Village Council will meet twice this week. On Tuesday there will be a regular meeting beginning at 5:30pm at the Founders Park Community Center.
The Council will take up a proclamation recognizing Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Hull as she is retiring from the organization. Eagle Scout Calista Wittke will also be recognized.
The Council will consider a resolution accepting and approving a wastewater utility rate study and a resolution approving a work authorization for the design and permitting for Canal #119 backfilling restoration.
There will also be motions considered regarding improvements to the Founders Park boat ramp and parking improvement project and for proposed Freebee advertising.
On Thursday, the Council will hold a Land Use meeting to consider a request by Bonefish Holding, LLC for a Beneficial Use Determination for property located at approximately mile marker 83. The quasi-judicial hearing will begin at 5:30pm at the Founders Park Community Center.
Visit our Public Meeting Portal for meeting agendas and supplemental documentation.
| | FLC Committee Appointment | | |
The Florida League of Cities has appointed Mayor Don Horton to the 2026-2027 Development, Code Compliance, and Redevelopment Committee. The committee is tasked with helping to shape the League's policy direction for the 2027 Legislative Session. Members will collaborate to review and discuss key issues impacting Florida's municipalities.
Congratulations to Mayor Horton on his appointment.
| | Feed the Keys Food Drive - Donate at Village Hall | | |
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We currently have vacancies on the following citizens' advisory committees:
Historic Preservation Commission
Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee
Land Acquisition Committee
Please check out our Boards & Committees page for more information.
Apply by November 10!
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Islamorada Recycles Part 2: What to Recycle | |
What’s accepted:
Cardboard and Paper: office paper, newspaper, magazines, cereal boxes, shipping boxes, toilet paper rolls
- Staples? Tape? Letter windows? All are accepted.
- Shiny paper? As long as you can rip it.
- Metal spiral on a notebook? Not so much..
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New items in this category:
- Paper cups! These used to be a “no” due to the PET lining, but now it’s so thin it’s not a problem.
- Pizza boxes! Minimal to medium grease is fine. As long as you didn’t drop the whole pizza...
Plastics: plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and cups that are #1, #2, or #5 are accepted. Look for the triangle of chasing arrows with a number on the bottom of the material.
- Caps? Caps and labels are fine, but no pumps (those are a composite and unable to be processed).
- Does it have to be clean? No, just empty!
- What about clamshell to-go containers or store-bought containers, such as bakery goods or fruit? As long as it’s a #1 and empty, it’s good to go (careful there’s not too much organic matter remaining).
- What plastics aren’t accepted? Plastics #3, #4, #6, and #7: more commonly known as stretch plastics, Styrofoam, PVC, and other rigid plastics such as children’s toys.
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New items: cold to-go cups! Drink your iced coffee, discard the ice/straw, then recycle the cup and lid (#5’s)!
Metals: Non-ferrous (iron containing) metals including steel, tin and aluminum. Think mostly food and beverage cans.
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Common questions: No batteries. Spray cans are fine as long as its empty (and non-hazardous).
Aseptic containers: Milk and juice boxes (caps on or off, either is fine).
Glass: clear, green, and brown.
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Common questions: Food grade only (not the same as window glass). Just make sure to empty it. Metal lids are fine.
Educational videos available at: WM Recycle Right
Outside of single-stream recycling, there are local free resources to recycle common contaminants:
| Village Charter Amendments on November 3 Ballot | |
Earlier this year, the Village Council appointed a Charter Review Committee to review the Village Charter and make recommendations for potential Charter Amendments.
On July 7, the Village Council approved three Charter Amendments for the November 3 ballot.
In our last newsletter, Committee Chair Ty Harris shared information regarding the three-year staggered term proposal.
The second amendment relates to the procedure for filling Council Member vacancies exceeding half a term.
This would require the remaining Council Members to appoint a replacement by majority vote within 30 days.
In this scenario, the Council would then call for a special election within 6 months to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The Village Clerk would work with the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections to coordinate a special election after Council determines a date.
The third amendment would require a supermajority vote of the Council for the Village to convey or acquire fee simple title to real property.
The amendment also requires a supermajority vote to amend the Future Land Use Map designation or zoning of certain Village-owned property, or the use of Village-owned property used as a park to uses not permitted in the Recreation or Conservation districts.
A supermajority vote would require an affirmative vote by 4 of the 5 members of Council for these particular land-related actions.
Islamorada's sample ballot is available on the Supervisor of Elections website.
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| General Election Signs Permitted as of September 19 | | |
ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
Sunday, October 4, through Saturday, October 10, 2026
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State Road (SR) 5/Overseas Highway Channel 5 Bridge (near MM 71)
Work continues under the Channel 5 Bridge.
Lane Closure/Detours:
- No lane closures or detours are scheduled.
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State Road (SR) 5/Overseas Highway Long Key Bridge (near MM 64)
Work continues under the Long Key Bridge.
Lane Closure/Detours:
- No lane closures or detours are scheduled.
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State Road (SR) 5/U.S. 1/Overseas Highway Seven Mile Bridge over Moser Channel Rehabilitation (MM 40 - MM 47)
Work continues under the bridge.
Lane Closure/Detours:
- No lane closures or detours are scheduled.
View the project webpage here
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State Road (SR) 5/U.S. 1/Overseas Highway on Bahia Honda Bridge (near MM 36)
Work continues under the Bahia Honda Bridge.
Lane Closure/Detours:
- No lane closures or detours are scheduled.
View the project webpage here
| | | For real-time traffic and lane closure information, drivers are encouraged to log onto www.FL511.com, or download the FL511 app. |
| Plantation Key Transmission Main Replacement Project Traffic and Access Update | | |
Your new drinking water pipeline is now fully connected and flowing! Crews have completed connecting the 34,362 feet of new drinking water pipe from Snake Creek Bridge to Julep Road in Plantation Key, including all SIX connection points linking the new pipeline to the existing system.
As a reminder, crews will be paving overnight roughly 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays along Overseas Highway/U.S. 1 from Snake Creek Bridge to Julep Road.
Paving and restoration is expected to be completed in October 2026.
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Here's what to expect during the overnight paving operation:
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A rolling lane shift will be in effect along U.S. 1 from Snake Creek Bridge to Julep Road.
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From Snake Creek Bridge to Woods Avenue, one northbound lane and one southbound lane will remain open.
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From Woods Ave to Julep Road, one northbound lane and two southbound lanes will remain open.
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Access to homes and businesses will remain open. However, entrances and exits may be temporarily impacted in some areas during the overnight work to allow for proper asphalt curing.
- Drivers should use caution, follow posted signs, and allow extra travel time while crews are working.
| | Sign up for Islamorada Emergency Alert Emails | | Witches Paddle & Halloween Costume Swap October 17 | | |
Witches, Warlocks and Families, Let’s Paddle!
Wear your witchiest attire for the Islamorada Witches Paddle on Saturday, October 17th, from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve.
Launch your kayak or paddleboard at the Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve – from there, you can hang out in Little Basin with your new water-borne coven or take a ¾ mile paddle adventure through the mangroves. You can also shop co-host Surfrider's costume swap eco-shop! Bring a costume to donate and shop the swap for a free, new-to-you Halloween look for this year’s spooky season. Kid, teen, and adult costumes welcome.
Register for the event here: https://x.gldn.io/e/KgrkcH18I6b
We recommend bringing your own paddle board or kayak. Don't have one? Paddle the Florida Keys will be on site at the Green Turtle Hammock with a limited number of boards available — first come first served!
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Trunk or Treat is Back - Register a Trunk! |
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Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee
October 5 | 5:00 p.m.
Regular Village Council Meeting
October 6 | 5:30 p.m.
Land Use Village Council Meeting
October 8 | 5:30 p.m.
Local Planning Agency Meeting
October 12 | 5:30 p.m.
Youth Council Meeting
October 14 | 4:00 p.m.
| | Visit the Islamorada Cultural Arts Calendar | | |
Islamorada, the Village of Islands, is seeking submissions of works of art from local artists for temporary display in the Village's public spaces in Village Hall and Founders Park. These works of art will be part of the third exhibition in Islamorada’s Art in Public Buildings series, on display from November 2026 through March 2027.
Submit your artwork by filling out this form by October 19, 2026. It only takes 10 minutes!
There is no fee to submit artwork for consideration. Artists of selected artworks can choose to make their artwork available for sale; the Village will not take a commission or percentage.
Eligibility: Artists must have an address in Islamorada (residence or business)
When: Selected art must be available for delivery to Village Hall the week of November 9, 2026. The exhibition will end in March 2027.
Where: Village Hall, Founders Park Community Center, and Ron Levy Aquatic Center Lobby
What: approximately 15-25 artworks
• 1 sculpture, up to 16in diameter and 30in tall
• Up to 24 wall-based works. The total number of artworks selected will depend on the size of each work. Wall-based artworks up to 72in diameter may be accepted.
Islamorada Art in Public Buildings is a program administered by the Cultural Arts Coordinator for Islamorada, the Village of Islands. For more information about the program, review the Loan Agreement. To contact the coordinator call 786-522-6905 or e-mail emily.rother@islamorada.fl.us
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