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Village Weekly Update
May 4, 2026
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The Village hosted a public workshop to unveil the draft Comprehensive Plan last Wednesday, April 29, at the Founders Park Community Center.
The Village’s plan consultant, Able City East, gave a presentation on the draft plan to many residents in person and online, followed by a question-and-answer session with the public.
| | A copy of the draft plan can be found on the Village’s website at https://islamorada.fl.us/DocumentCenter/View/5321/Blueprint-for-Balance-031126 | | |
As we move forward with the Village’s budget process for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on October 1, 2026, I will include a few budget questions to help inform the public.
Last week's question was:
How much of the Village of Islamorada’s approved budget for the current fiscal year is derived from property taxes?
a. 80%
b. 66%
c. 50%
d. 20%
The correct answer was 20%.
| The Village of Islamorada’s current budget is $92,592,300. Of that amount, $18,264,500 is derived from property taxes, which is 19.73% of the total budget. | | |
This week’s question:
The Village’s current budget derives $18,264,500 from property taxes.
How much is the Village currently budgeted to spend this year on Public Safety-Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue?
a. $7,000,000
b. $9,000,000
c. $11,000,000
d. $13,000,000
The answer is at the end of today’s newsletter.
| | 2026 Hurricane Season Starts Soon - Are You Ready? | | |
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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
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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
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Draft Comprehensive Plan Workshop
Recap & Public Comment Period Open
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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.
| | New Environmental FAQ & Resources Now Available | | |
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The Planning Department has launched a new Environmental FAQ and Resource section on the Village website.
This section provides answers to common questions related to topics such as tree removal and trimming, sea turtle nesting, and other environmental concerns.
In addition, the page includes helpful resources for property owners, including the landscape manual, tree pruning standards, a mangrove trimming information sheet, and an invasive species identification guide.
These materials are intended to support residents in addressing everyday environmental issues responsibly and in compliance with local regulations.
The new page is available here:
https://www.islamorada.fl.us/420/Planning-References
For more information or assistance, please contact Daniel Parobok, Assistant Planning Director/Village Biologist, at Daniel.parobok@islamorada.fl.us.
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| Professional Municipal Clerks Week - May 3 - 9 | | | | |
Professional Municipal Clerks Week, officially established by presidential proclamations in 1984 and 1994, honors the critical contributions of municipal clerks to local government each year during the first week of May.
Although the position is one of the oldest in government, the vital work of Municipal and Deputy Clerks often goes unseen. They manage core functions such as maintaining public records, administering elections, preparing meeting agendas, recording minutes, preserving resolutions and ordinances, and ensuring transparency and accountability in government.
In Islamorada, the Clerks’ Office handles these key administrative responsibilities with professionalism and integrity.
We recognize and celebrate the essential work performed by municipal clerks during the 57th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week, observed May 3–9.
| | Celebrate Arbor Day by Planting Native Trees | | |
Arbor Day is a reminder of the important role trees play in keeping our community healthy, beautiful, and resilient.
In the Florida Keys, trees provide shade, improve air quality, reduce erosion, and help protect our islands from storm impacts. They also create critical habitat for native birds, butterflies, and other wildlife that depend on healthy natural spaces.
The tropical hardwood trees in the Keys are of Caribbean origin and are found nowhere else in North America.
When choosing trees for your property, planting native species is one of the best ways to support the local environment.
Native trees are naturally adapted to the Florida Keys’ climate, soils, salt exposure, and weather conditions, making them more resilient and often easier to maintain than non-native species. They also provide food and shelter for local wildlife in ways that many ornamental or invasive trees cannot.
Before planting, be sure to choose the right tree for the right location by considering available space, proximity to structures and power lines, and the tree’s long-term growth needs.
This Arbor Day, consider planting a native tree and investing in the future of our islands. Small actions today can help preserve the natural beauty and environmental health of the Florida Keys for generations to come.
| | Sheriff Ramsay Public Service Announcement | | |
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Village Staff collaborated with Sheriff Ramsay and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office to produce a public service announcement regarding the installation of slow speed markers at Starck's Wheel Ditch, Mile Marker 77.
This narrow mangrove waterway has been the site of numerous high-speed boating incidents, and the new markers represent an important measure to improve navigational safety in the area.
We encourage all boaters to familiarize themselves with the updated regulations.
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The construction schedule may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
For more information on District Six FDOT projects, please visit our website:
SouthFLRoads.com
You may also contact Community Outreach Specialist, Julie Brown,
at 305-927-1479 or Julie.Brown@dot.state.fl.us
| | 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 | | |
Thank You Letter to Fire Rescue | |
Hello:
I am the President of the Bay Harbour Condominium Association, about a block from Station 19.
On behalf of our Association, I want to express our extreme thanks to Jeremy Kimes, Steve Pollock, Tom Booth, and Michael Mayes.
On April 26th, they came to the aid of one of our condominium owners, who is in her early 90s and was having a medical incident.
Their response time was super, but their collective care and kindness, while conducting a thorough analysis of the owner’s condition, would have made a great film for how to put a patient at ease during a stressful medical situation.
As a result, our owner is currently doing well and staying with her son while recovering.
Again, our appreciation for your team’s efforts would be an understatement.
My best, not only to the people I cited in this email, but to your entire organization for developing this culture of care.
President, Bay Harbour Condominium
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| Sign up for Islamorada Emergency Alert Emails | |
The new Founders Park
Inclusive Playground is coming soon!
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The existing playground will be demolished beginning Monday, May 4th, 2026 to make way for the new inclusive play elements.
Construction of the playground and adjacent volleyball court area is expected to take approximately three weeks.
Please be advised that the sand volleyball court, existing playground area and surrounding tiki huts will be unavailable, and other areas of the beach and picnic area may be closed intermittently during this process.
Here are the renderings of the new playground system.
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Founders Park Pool Resurfacing and
Facility Improvement Project Update
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We are pleased with the progress of the project and are happy to share that we remain on schedule for an anticipated reopening at the end of May.
The pool surface has been completed. Windows are currently being installed for the new lifeguard first aid station and break area, while work continues behind the scenes with the installation of the pool pumps and filtration system, as well as new perimeter fencing for the mechanical area. Progress is also ongoing in the locker rooms, including the installation of flooring and fixtures.
Still to come is the installation of key pool features and elements, including railings and ADA chair lifts, scoreboard, and custom dive platform stairs, and more.
We will continue to provide updates in the coming weeks, along with details regarding reopening plans. Stay tuned!
| | 2026 Summer Camps Are Coming Soon! | | |
Bid Opening RFP-26-04 Grant Writing, Consulting, and Support Services
May 4 | 3:00 p.m.
Workforce/Affordable Housing Citizens Advisory Committee
May 4 | 5:00 p.m.
Land Acquisition Citizens Advisory Committee
May 6 | 9:30 a.m.
Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting RFP 26-05 NPK Booster Pump Station Upgrade Project
May 11 | 11:00 a.m.
Regular Village Council Meeting
May 12 |5:30 p.m.
CANCELLED: Land Use Village Council Meeting (Land Use Items on May 12 Agenda)
May 14 | 5:30 p.m.
| | Visit the Islamorada Cultural Arts Calendar | | |
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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Please let us know your feedback on the newsletter. Ideas for new features will be discussed and may be incorporated into future editions.
To ensure it doesn't get missed, be sure to title your email - Newsletter Feedback
| | Answer to the Village Manager's Budget Question | | |
Answer to today’s budget question is: c. $11,000,000
The Village is budgeted this year to spend $3,059,080 on Law Enforcement and $7,966,983 on Fire Rescue, for a total of $11,026,063.
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