Village Weekly Update


July 13, 2026

Message from the Manager

The Village Council met last Tuesday, July 7^th, for its monthly regular meeting at the Founders Park Community Center.

The Village Council got updates on a stormwater master plan and on what is happening with the FKAA waterline project.

There was a discussion about the preparation and consideration of the Village’s budget for the next fiscal year that starts on October 1.       

The Council approved a preliminary property tax rate of 2.8 mills, which would be an increase over the current 2.65 mills. The millage rate now cannot be increased but can be decreased by the Council. A resolution was approved to set the dates and times for budget workshops and hearings.

The Council passed a resolution approving an amendment to the Village’s agreement with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for police services for the next fiscal year. The request for $3.8 million during the next fiscal year is an increase from the current $3.6 million due to staff salary increases in the Sheriff’s Office.           

A resolution was also considered for approval of a contractor to perform the work on the NPK wastewater booster pump station upgrade at 286 Gardenia St. The Council selected Reynolds Construction, whose bid was approximately $7.3 million. State and federal grants are expected to cover much of the cost.

The Council discussed the latest version of a proposed baseball field license agreement with the Monroe County School Board for the Founders Park ball field. Several months ago, the Council unanimously passed a proposed license agreement. But the School Board approved changes to it. The Council agreed to seek a workshop meeting with the School Board prior to the next School Board meeting in Marathon on July 21 to see if both bodies can come to an agreement.

Four proposals approved by the Charter Review Committee were considered by the Council regarding changes in the terms and salaries of Village Council members, the method of filling Council vacancies, and requirements for supermajority votes.                   

The Council approved three of the four proposed Charter changes - extending Council terms from two to three years and staggering them, giving voters more authority in filling Council vacancies, and requiring a supermajority vote to buy or sell real property.                         

The Council rejected the fourth proposed change which would have proposed increasing the monthly pay for Council members from the current $1,000 per month to $1,500.                      

The Charter amendment recommendations will now be placed on the November 3^rd general election ballot for approval by Islamorada voters. 

On Thursday, the Village Council held its monthly Land Use meeting, which was also held at the Founders Park Community Center. A request for a long dock variance for 18 Avacado Street was approved. 

The Council also approved instituting a $2 fee per rider for people using the Freebee ride share program, beginning on July 20. 

Agendas and files for the meetings can be found on the Village website Agendas & Meetings Portal.

News You Can Use

At the July 9 meeting, Village Council directed staff to implement a $2 Freebee rider fare starting on July 20.

Freebee has shared their Communication Plan showing how they will let riders know about the new fare.

Islamorada Rider Fare Communication Plan

To ensure a smooth transition to the new rider fare, Freebee will implement a comprehensive, multi-channel communication strategy designed to notify existing riders well in advance of implementation while educating new users on the updated fare structure.

1. In-App Pop-Up Notification

Beginning prior to the fare implementation date, all users opening the Freebee app within the Islamorada service area will receive a full-screen pop-up notification announcing the upcoming fare.



The notification will include:

• Effective date of the new fare
• Fare amount
• Accepted payment methods

This ensures every active rider receives the information before booking a trip.

2. Push Notifications

Freebee will send multiple push notifications to all registered Islamorada riders who have enabled notifications.



Recommended schedule:

• 7 days prior to implementation
• 1 day prior to implementation
• Implementation Day

3. Email Campaign

Freebee will distribute an email campaign to all registered Islamorada users within our rider database.

The email will include:

• Effective date
• How to pay
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Customer Support contact information

4. Driver & Community Ambassador Outreach

Our Village Ambassadors interact with hundreds of riders each week and will play an important role in communicating the change.

Drivers will:

• Notify riders of the upcoming fare during trips
• Answer basic rider questions

5. Customer Support

Freebee's customer support team will be fully briefed on the new fare structure and prepared to assist riders with:

• Payment setup
• Prepaid payment options
• General fare questions
• Technical assistance

We currently have vacancies in several committees. Apply by August 10!

Historic Preservation Commission

Parks and Recreation Committee

Workforce/Affordable Housing Committee

Before diving into July's Hurricane Quiz, let's review last month’s Hurricane Quiz answers.

• Evacuation orders are about life safety. Do not assume your home is safe to stay in simply because it is new or built to current building code. Evacuation orders are issued based on expected storm conditions and risks to human life. If local officials order an evacuation, leave as soon as possible.

• Stay informed, not alarmed. Monitor trusted weather sources, review your hurricane plan, and ensure emergency supplies are stocked before a storm threatens.

• Use generators safely. Portable generators must always be operated outdoors and well away from doors, windows, and enclosed areas. Do not operate a generator in a flooded area or in any enclosed space.

• Know where to shelter. If sheltering at home, move to an interior room away from windows. Go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.

• X flood zones can still flood! Heavy rainfall, king tides, storm surge, and drainage issues can cause flooding even in areas designated as X flood zones.

• VE flood zones face the greatest flood risk. These areas are subject to coastal flooding with breaking waves of 3 feet or more during major storm events.



• Never drive, swim or walk through floodwater. Floodwater may conceal debris, contamination, wildlife, damaged roads, or electrical hazards. Even shallow moving water can be dangerous.

Test Your Hurricane Knowledge

Take Mid-Summer July Hurricane Readiness Quiz: Do you know all the hurricane terms?

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/953FGSP

We'll review July's quiz answers in next month's newsletter!

Monroe County offers a pet-friendly Category 1 & 2 hurricane shelter at Coral Shores High School. In the event a hurricane is Category 3+ evacuation becomes mandatory. The E. Darwin Fuchs Pavillion at Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition allows pets.

Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies has notified the Village that the Precinct 24 polling location, which was housed at the Islamorada Library, has moved to the Founders Park Community Center at 87000 Overseas Highway.

Early Voting begins August 3 and will now take place at the Plantation Key Community Center (Old Courthouse) at 88820 Overseas Highway.

Political signage applications are now handled exclusively through CityView.

Step-by-step instructions are available on our website.                  

You will need to create an account if you don’t already have one. 

CityView Customer Support is available by contacting Susan McLaughlin at 305-664-6429.

Susan can help walk you through the process if you need assistance.

Political signs may be erected no earlier than 30 days before the start of early voting. Early voting for the August 18 Primary Election begins August 3, therefore permitted political signs can be displayed starting July 3.

Islamorada Council candidate signs are not yet allowed because those offices are not on the August 18 ballot.

Signs must comply with Code and FDOT's regulations. Election sign ordinance:

• All election signs shall be erected no earlier than 30 days prior to an election and shall be removed within seven days following the election to which the sign pertains. Note: We've received clarification that political signs may be erected no earlier than 30 days before the start of early voting, rather than election day.

• Election signs shall not exceed six square feet per face and four feet in height and are limited to one sign per candidate or issue, per each road frontage of the individual property.

• Election signs shall not be located within five feet of any side property yard.

• The candidate or campaign shall receive approval of the property owner prior to erecting any sign on private property.

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Sunday, July 12, through Saturday, July 18, 2026

State Road (SR) 5/U.S. 1/Overseas Highway from MM 108.426 to MM 112.593 Landscaping

Contractor to continue roadside work.

Lane Closure/Detours:

• No lane closures or detours are scheduled

View the project webpage here

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

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

Lane Closure/Detours:

• Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled to begin Sunday, July 12, through Thursday, July 16, 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. Nighttime lane closures are scheduled.

Lane Closure/Detours:

• Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled to begin Sunday, July 12, through Thursday, July 16, from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. 

• Temporary traffic signals will be used to control alternating one-way traffic through the work zone.

• Motorists should be prepared to stop and proceed only when directed by the traffic signal.

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)

Installation of pavement marking is ongoing. Work continues under the bridge.

Lane Closure/Detours:

• Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled Monday, July 13, through Thursday, July 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. 
• Flaggers will periodically stop traffic in one direction to allow vehicles from the opposite direction to pass safely. 

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.

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

It was a star-spangled celebration at Founders Park on July 4th! Council and the community commemorated our country's 250th anniversary with food, fun, and fireworks.

Laira has been a member of the aquatic safety team at Founders Park for just over five years.

Having recently graduated from Florida State University, she joined us on deck as a Level 2 Lifeguard for the Summer 2026 season.

Laira was instrumental in getting the aquatic facility "ship-shape" following the renovations.

Her confident leadership skills, kind demeanor, and quick-thinking on deck make her an inspiration to her peers.

Her fellow lifeguards unanimously nominated her as Lifeguard of the Month for July.

If you see Laira at the aquatic center, be sure to congratulate her!

July 31^st is National Lifeguard Appreciation Day! There is a comment box in the pool office where folks can leave words of encouragement and thanks for the guards.

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

July 15 | 10:00 a.m.

Evaluation Committee Meeting RFP 26-07 Council Chamber Audio/Video Refresh

July 15 | 1:00 p.m.

Ron Levy Aquatic Center History & Records Wall Task Force Meeting

July 15 | 2:30 p.m.

Canceled: Code Compliance Hearing

July 21 | 10 a.m.

Near Shore Water Regulation Committee

July 21 | 5:15 p.m.

Evaluation Committee Meeting RFP 26-06 Canal 145 Organic Removal & Backfill Restoration Project

July 22 | 2:00 p.m.

The Village of Islamorada is looking for digital images of our natural environment to feature in the new Islamorada Environmental Resource Center.

We are looking for photographs taken in Islamorada of our local flora, fauna, and landscapes. If you would like to have your work featured, send up to three high resolution photos to us through this form.

Make sure to include a short description, such as where the photo was taken.



If selected for use, images may be used by the Village in print or digital format and may be cropped to fit displays. The artist’s name will be attributed to the image.

Looking for something to do? Check out the Village’s new Arts and Culture Calendar to find out about all of the concerts, theater, art exhibitions, classes, and lectures in Islamorada!

Events are subject to change; always confirm with the event location or host. Want to see your event on the Cultural Arts Calendar? Complete this form

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