Village Weekly Update


October 19, 2026

Message from the Manager

Property taxes are calculated by multiplying a millage rate times the assessed value of the property.

The millage rate for the Village of Islamorada is set by the Village Council and the assessed value is determined by the Monroe County Property Appraiser, an elected county constitutional officer.

For the past 3 years, Islamorada’s millage rate has been set at 2.65 mills.

The current Village Council has not raised Islamorada’s millage rate despite rising costs such as raises for Fire Rescue personnel which were set by a collective bargaining agreement, raises for law enforcement personnel which were set by a contract with the Sheriff’s Office, and other increased expenses such as fuel and insurance costs.  

Real estate taxes owed for Islamorada’s share of the tax bill for the past 2 years have not increased unless the property’s assessed value was increased by the Property Appraiser.

The largest part of the Village’s operating budget is spent on personnel costs.

While those costs have increased over the past few years, such as the collectively bargained 16% raises for Fire Rescue over the past two years, the number of personnel has not risen significantly.

In the fiscal year 2020-2021, the Village had 110.5 full-time positions. In the current 2026-2027 fiscal year which began on October 1, there are 120.5 budgeted full-time positions. 

News You Can Use

Subject: Temporary traffic pattern change. 

To all residents and motorists,

This announcement serves to inform you about upcoming changes to traffic flow in the Plantation Key Colony neighborhood on October 31, 2026, Halloween night. 

The changes are scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM and are expected to last until 10:00 PM. 

The purpose of these changes is to reduce congestion in the neighborhood and provide a safe environment for our Trick or Treaters. 

All vehicles will remain to the right of all cones. All pedestrians will remain on the left of all cones.     

All vehicles entering Plantation Key Colony will utilize Royal Poinciana Boulevard. At Coconut Palm Boulevards, vehicles will be directed to turn right or left depending on their destination.

North Coconut Palm Boulevard will become a one-way street. South Coconut Palm Boulevard will become a one-way street from the intersection of Royal Poinciana Boulevard to the intersection of Bougainvillea Street.

Hibiscus Street will become one-way streets, allowing turns only on to Royal Poinciana Boulevard towards US-1. 

Jasmine Street will become one-way streets, allowing turns only on to Royal Poinciana Boulevard towards US-1.

Bougainvillea Street will become a one-way street between South Coconut Palm Boulevard and Royal Poinciana Boulevard, allowing turns on to Royal Poinciana Boulevard towards US-1. 

Royal Poinciana Boulevard will be the only way out of Plantation Key Colony as a one-way street. 

All vehicles leaving the area will utilize Royal Poinciana Boulevard only. 

Plantation Key Colony will have residential parking only. Non-residents will park at Plantation Key School, Coral Shores High School and the Old Road. 

Please follow all posted signage and directions for your safety and the safety of all participants. Please avoid distractions and exercise caution while navigating the area. 

For further information or questions regarding this traffic change, please contact:



Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Cpt. Lissette Quintero

305-619-0779 or Lquintero@keysso.net

Thank you for your patience and understanding.  

The Village conducts quarterly meetings with our rideshare vendor, Freebee, to stay updated on service components, including ridership, customer satisfaction, operational issues or concerns, vehicles, and service-related updates, as well as any other concerns.

Even with the implementation of $2 per rider fare, ridership has remained comparable to previous years.

The last quarter saw an overall customer satisfaction boost from a 4.85 to a 4.92 out of 5 from riders.

The Village maintains a goal to increase ridership and will be working closely with the Freebee team over the next quarter to boost advertising for the service and workshop options to reduce wait times during peak periods. 

FAQ: 

• Why do I see vehicles parked at chargers during the day?

• In order to keep 3 operational vehicles on the road, Freebee keeps 2 spare vehicles charging (and sometimes a third taking a 30-minute lunch break). 

• Where can I see ridership data?

• On the Village’s Rideshare Services page you can find monthly ridership reports from this last quarter. 

Are you looking for a way to contribute to the community? Join a Village committee!

Work collaboratively with other residents to discuss the issues affecting Islamorada and help make advisory recommendations to the Village Council.

We currently have vacancies for the Historical Preservation Commission, Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee, and Land Acquisition Advisory Committee. Apply by November 10.

Join Monroe County and community partners for several upcoming composting workshops to learn about at-home composting, as well as Monroe County’s free, volunteer-run food waste drop-off sites throughout the Florida Keys.

This is a chance to connect with neighbors and expand your environmental knowledge. 

Early Voting starts today and runs through October 31.



Early Voting provides a more convenient alternative to traditional Election Day voting.

Early Voting allows you to cast your ballot in person just as you would on Election Day, but at a time, day, and/or location that may be more convenient.

The closest Early Voting site is at the Plantation Key Community Center in the old courthouse at 88820 Overseas Highway.

Vote-by-Mail (formerly known as Absentee Voting). Any registered voter can choose to receive a ballot delivered to them by mail. 

Election Day voting can only be done in your registered precinct on Election Day between 7:00am - 7:00pm.

Check out the Supervisor of Elections website from the button below for more information.

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Sunday, October 18, through Saturday, October 24, 2026

State Road (SR) 5/Overseas Highway Channel 5 Bridge (near MM 71)

Work continues under the Channel 5 Bridge. 
Nightime lane closures are scheduled.

Lane Closure/Detours:

• Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled to begin Monday, October 11, through Thursday, October 22, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. 
• Flaggers will periodically stop traffic in one direction to allow vehicles from the opposite direction to pass safely.
• Motorists should be prepared to stop and proceed only when directed by the construction team. 

View the project webpage here

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.

View the project webpage here

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

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:

• Single-lane closures are scheduled Monday, October 19, through Friday, October 23, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• One lane in each direction will be open at all times.

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.

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.

Crews are more than 50% completed with the paving and restoration work for the drinking water pipe replacement project and expected to be completed by end of October 2026.

Paving and restoration work takes place 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.

Here's what to expect during the overnight paving operation:

• A rolling lane shift will be in effect along U.S. 1 from Snake Creek Bridge to Julep Road.
  
• From Snake Creek Bridge to Woods Avenue, one northbound lane and one southbound lane will remain open.
  
• From Woods Ave to Julep Road, one northbound lane and two southbound lanes will remain open.
  
• 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.

Maps of the project, timelines and progress reports are updated regularly and available from the FKAA at: FKAA Plantation Key Transmission Replacement Project

Questions? Email community@fkaa.com. After-hours support is available at (305) 296-2454.

·        Click here to follow the FKAA on Facebook

·        Click here to follow the FKAA on X

·        Click here to sign up for CodeRED emergency notifications from the FKAA

Recreation & Events

The witches enjoyed beautiful weather for this year's Witches Paddle at the Green Turtle Hammock Preserve.

Now in its second year, the event was organized by the Village in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation. Several Village employees donned witchy apparel to participate in the event.

A special thanks to Paddle the Florida Keys for providing paddleboards and kayaks, ensuring that even landbound witches and warlocks could join in the fun on the water.

Code Compliance Hearing

October 20 | 10:00 a.m.

Near Shore Water Regulation Committee Meeting

October 20 | 5:15 p.m.

The Village of Islamorada is a cultural hub.

With many local art galleries, two museums, and live music nearly every night at various venues, the arts abound!

Check out the calendar to find out what's going on any day of the week. 

For even more local events, we recommend the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce's Community Calendar and the Monroe County Tourism Development Council's Events Calendar. 

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