Village Weekly Update


May 26, 2026

Message from the Manager

The Village began an on-demand ridesharing services program in 2018.

The agreement with the current provider, Beefree LLC d/b/a Freebee is nearing completion. On March 12, 2026, the Village issued a Request for Proposals to solicit new proposals.

Two submittals were received from Beefee LLC and Circuit Transit Inc. The proposals were evaluated by a staff committee which recommended the selection of Beefree LLC.

A resolution approving the recommendation for on demand ride sharing services from Beefree LLC d/b/a Freebee was discussed at the May 12 Council meeting. The Village Council decided to defer consideration of the rideshare proposal. A public workshop will be held this Thursday, May 28, at 5:30pm at the Founders Park Community Center to receive public input and discuss the two rideshare proposals which were submitted.

The Village has instituted a Fix It Now online program on the Village’s website to help residents identify a problem and get it fixed fast.

There is a list of problems that can be identified such as potholes, litter, hazardous parking, damaged curbs and sidewalks, road signs, and water leaks, as well as a blank space for any other issues. The problem will then be forwarded to our Public Works Department to be fixed. 

To use the program, go to the Village’s website at www.islamorada.fl.us, click the “HOW DO I…” tab, and then click the “Submit FixItNow Request” tab. 

News You Can Use

The Village has officially launched Doc Access, a new software feature designed to increase digital transparency and accessibility across our website. With nearly 1 in 5 Americans living with a disability—and almost half of those individuals managing multiple conditions—ensuring equal access to community information is a top priority.

Key Features You Can Use Today:

• Accessible Transcripts: Residents can now easily view clean, text-based transcripts of PDF documents directly on our website.
• Live Assistance via Aira: To support our sight-impaired and hard-of-hearing communities, we are offering 30 minutes of free, live assistance through Aira Video Remote Interpreting. Simply click the Disability Access feature on our site for connection details.
• Multi-Language Translation: To serve our diverse community, the platform includes a translation tool supporting over 140 languages.

How It Works:

The initial PDF view of documents on our website now highlights several accessibility options.

Users can seamlessly switch from the standard layout to a high-contrast format to view accessible transcripts.

Additionally, the translation tool prioritizes commonly used regional languages, allowing residents to quickly translate documents into Spanish, Haitian Creole, and many other languages with just a click.

The Village hosted the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce After Hours networking event last Tuesday at its beautiful Green Turtle Hammock Nature Preserve on Upper Matecumbe Key. 

The event provided chamber members and the wider community with an opportunity to network in a relaxed outdoor setting while enjoying the preserve’s new bayfront pavilion and historic Russell Cottage.

Those in attendance enjoyed an evening celebrating local connections, conservation, and community partnerships.

Several local nonprofit environmental organizations connected to the Village's new Environmental Resource Center at the Green Turtle Preserve were featured during the event; thank you to MOTE, the Wild Bird Center, I.CARE, CRF, UF/IFAS extension program, Islamorada State Parks, and Florida Bay Forever!

The recently constructed two-story pavilion at the Green Turtle Hammock, which overlooks Florida Bay, has recently been opened for rentals through the Village.

Contact emily.rother@islamorada.fl.us for pavilion rentals. 

This past week, in partnership with the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA), the Village submitted a grant application to the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

This is a federally funded, FloridaCommerce‑run program that helps small cities and counties pay for projects that improve basic living conditions in their communities.

The grant request seeks $3 million in CDBG funding to help the FKAA construct a potable water transmission main at Channel #2, with the FKAA providing an additional $1.8 million local match.

The project addresses a critical vulnerability in the Florida Keys’ sole potable water transmission backbone, which currently relies on a 44-year-old bridge-mounted steel pipeline exposed to corrosion, storms, debris impacts, and other hazards.

Recent pipeline failures in and around Islamorada caused water outages, boil-water notices, and loss of water pressure affecting residents, businesses, and emergency services throughout the Keys.

The proposed project would install approximately 3,300 feet of 42-inch pipeline beneath the seabed using horizontal directional drilling, while retaining the existing line as a backup to create redundancy and reduce the risk of service disruptions.

The project would protect drinking water access for tens of thousands of residents and critical facilities, including hospitals, schools, wastewater plants, and military installations. Construction is expected to begin following permitting and grant approval.  

Hurricane season begins in just one month.

The time to prepare is now, rather than when the storm is on the way!

Step 1: Sign up for AlertMonroe to receive critical storm updates, evacuation notices, and local emergency information:

https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/1324/Emergency-Management

Step 2: Know your flood risk.

Do you know your flood zone? Visit Forerunner to view your flood zone and access important property documents, including elevation certificates: https://islamoradafl.withforerunner.com/

Step 3: Make a plan.

Create a hurricane evacuation go bag essential list and safe evacuation destination before a storm is en route. Visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/ to build your family disaster plan.

Step 4: Protect your property.

Here are actions you can take to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season:

• Remove furniture and valuables from lower enclosures
• Install proper flood openings to equalize floodwater pressure
• Elevate mechanical and utility equipment above required flood levels
• Protect mangroves and native vegetation as natural storm buffers
• Document your property with photos, videos, and inventories, especially areas below flood
• Store insurance documents, medications, and valuable papers in a secure location
• Visit https://www.noaa.gov/prepare-before-hurricane-season for more tips.

Test Your Hurricane Knowledge

Hurricane 101 Quiz: 8 questions every Islamoradian should know!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QRRKMSN

On April 29, the Village hosted a public workshop to present the draft Comprehensive Plan. Consultants from Able City East shared an overview of the plan, followed by a productive Q&A session with attendees.

The meeting was well attended, and we appreciate the thoughtful feedback received from the community.

Missed the workshop? You can watch the full presentation on the Village’s YouTube page: https://youtu.be/H59JRkdRpSw

We want to hear from you. The public comment period is open through June 1, 2026.

Please submit your written comments to Planning Director Jennifer DeBoisbriand at Jennifer.deboisbriand@islamorada.fl.us by Monday, June 1, 2026.

After the comment period closes and all feedback is reviewed, the next public meeting date will be announced.

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Sunday, May 24, through Saturday, May 30, 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:

• Nighttime, single-lane closures are scheduled Tuesday, May 26, through Thursday, May 28, 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/Overseas Highway from MM 75.02 to MM 81.44 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 Tuesday, May 26, through Thursday, May 28, 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.
• Please follow all posted signs and instructions from on-site personnel.

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 Tuesday, May 26, through Thursday, May 28, from 9:30 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.
• Please follow all posted signs and instructions from on-site personnel.

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 markings continues. Nighttime lane closures are scheduled.

Lane Closure/Detours:

• Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled Tuesday, May 26, through Thursday, May 28, 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

Rideshare Workshop

May 28 | 5:30 p.m.

Workforce/Affordable Housing Citizens' Advisory Committee Meeting

June 1 | 5:00 p.m.

Regular Village Council Meeting

June 9 |5:30 p.m.

Land Use Village Council Meeting

June 11 | 5:30 p.m.

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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