Village Weekly Update


October 12, 2026

Message from the Manager

The Village Council met twice last week.

On Tuesday there was a regular meeting at the Founders Park Community Center.

The Council took up a proclamation recognizing Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Hull as she is retiring from the organization.

Eagle Scout Calista Webster was also recognized.

The Council approved a wastewater utility rate study and a resolution approving a work authorization for the design and permitting for Canal #119 backfilling restoration.

A motion was approved to authorize proposed Freebee advertising.    

On Thursday, the Council held 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 council unanimously denied the request.

Visit our Public Meeting Portal for video recordings of both meetings. 

News You Can Use

The Florida League of Cities has appointed Mayor Don Horton to the 2026-2027 Advocacy Committee.

The committee is charged with carrying out the duties outlined in the Advocacy Committee Mission Statement and with developing strategies and activities that strengthen Florida municipalities' collective voice with state policymakers.

Members are responsible for making direct contact with state elected officials on behalf of the policy issues and providing strategic direction on the League’s lobbying initiatives. The Advocacy Committee is appointed by the League president. 

Other key duties include building strong relationships with members of the state legislative delegation, helping League staff determine the impacts of legislative proposals on municipal operations and functions, and recruiting other municipal officers to participate in the League's advocacy program.

Congratulations to Mayor Horton on his appointment.

Village Manager Ron Saunders has been re-appointed to the Florida League of Cities Advocacy Committee. The Advocacy Committee is charged with developing strategies and activities that strengthen relationships with state legislators and other policymakers.

Saunders represented the Keys in the Florida Legislature for 14 years and was twice recognized by an independent panel as the most effective member of the 120 members of the Florida House of Representatives.

He chaired the Appropriations Committee in charge of the state’s multi-billion dollar budget and the Community Affairs Committee which oversaw all local government legislation.

Congratulations to Village Manager Saunders on his appointment.

In recognition of his outstanding leadership and support, Village Manager Ron Saunders was recently presented with a special token of appreciation by Islamorada Firefighters Local 4374.

The commemorative fire hydrant serves as a symbol of the strong partnership between the Village and its firefighters, reflecting cooperation, communication, and shared dedication to public service.

Manager Saunders proudly displays the hydrant in his office as a reminder of the meaningful relationship forged with Local 4374 and the collective commitment to keeping Islamorada safe.

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. 

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Sunday, October 11, through Saturday, October 17, 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 Sunday, October 11, through Thursday, October 15, 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:

• 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.

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.

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

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!

Local Planning Agency Meeting

October 12 | 5:30 p.m.

Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum

October 13 | 5:30 p.m.

Youth Council Meeting

October 14 | 4:00 p.m.

Code Compliance Hearing

October 20 | 10:00 a.m.

Near Shore Water Regulation Committee Meeting

October 20 | 5:15 p.m.

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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