Village Weekly Update

October 17, 2025

Message from the Manager

We will be holding a meeting on Monday, October 20, 2025, of the Citizens Baseball Field Task Force.

I will ask the Task Force members for input on the latest preliminary design site plan for the baseball field at Founders Park, which the Monroe County School Board approved at their October 7 meeting in Key West.

We will also discuss proposed Baseball Field License and Use Agreements, which I am negotiating with the School District.

I have asked advocates for natural grass and for artificial turf to make presentations and answer questions. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Founders Park Community Center, and the public is invited to attend and participate in person or via Zoom. Information on the meeting can be found on the Village’s website at www.islamorada.fl.us. Click on the Agendas & Meetings tab and then on the October 20 meeting tab. 



Breaking News

Nominations have been announced for the 2025 Best of Upper Keys awards sponsored by the Keys Weekly newspaper, and the Village of Islamorada is well-represented!

Our fabulous Founders Park received 3 nominations: Best Park/Nature Preserve, Best Place to Take the Kids, and Best Place to Swim.

Chief Terry Abel is a nominee for Best Local Celebrity. Vice Mayor Don Horton is one of 3 nominees for Best Elected Official.



To see a complete list of nominees and to vote for your choices, go online to www.keysweekly.com, and click on the VOTING UNDERWAY banner. You can vote daily through November 2nd. Good luck to all the nominees!

News You Can Use

The Village Council approved the FY 2025–2026 budget on September 16, and we want to keep residents updated on how their tax dollars are being used to support our community.

Just Value v. Taxable Value*

This graph represents the difference between the total in just value versus the taxable value for property within the Village of Islamorada.

This graph shows the effect of how Save Our Homes compounds over time.

As residents continue to stay in their homes and have their annual assessed rates capped, the gap between the just value and taxable value of properties has increased.

The introduction of more exemptions over time has also caused this increase in the gap between the just value and taxable value of properties.

▸ Just value is the fair market value of the home, while the taxable value is the value of the home exclusive of all qualifying exemptions and assessment limitations for the

property.

*Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Municipal Ad Valorem.

The Village of Islamorada extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of Casey Watkins, a valued and active member of the community.

Casey was well known for his enthusiastic spirit and dedication to local organizations and events, especially as the PA Announcer for Coral Shores High School Football. His kindness, energy, and joyful presence touched the lives of many throughout Islamorada.

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor on Tuesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Coral Shores Football Field. All who knew Casey are welcome to join in remembering his life and the positive impact he had on our community.

Pursuant to Village Code Chapter 30, Article VI, Division 6, all Vacation Rental Licenses shall be renewed annually. 

The Village of Islamorada requires that all renewal requirements, including the annual Life Safety Inspection, be completed by December 31^st. 

All renewal forms must be submitted electronically through the CityView Portal https://cvportal.us/cityviewportal.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Anita Muxo, Planning & Zoning Technician at (305)664-6498 or via email at:anita.muxo@islamorada.fl.us

Islamorada, 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 first exhibition in Islamorada’s new Art in Public Buildings series; the exhibition will be on display from November 2025 through March 2026 in Village buildings.

Submit your artwork by filling out this form by November 1.

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: Artwork selected for exhibition must be dropped off at Village Hall the week of November 10, 2025. The exhibition will be on display from November 2025 - March 2026.

Where: Village Hall, Founders Park Community Center, and Ron Levy Aquatic Center Lobby

What: 10-15 artworks

• 1 sculpture, up to 16in diameter and 30in height
• Up to 14 wall-based works:

up to 7 "small" artworks 14-20in wide x 24-30in tall, and

up to 7 "large" artworks 30-36in wide x 30-40in tall

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

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, 2025, 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 Streets will become one-way streets, allowing turns only on to Royal Poinciana Boulevard towards US-1. 

Jasmine Streets 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.  

Recreation & Events

Earlier this spring, the Council discussed dedicating the dog park at Founders Park in honor of the late Mike Forster. Following a public poll, the park will officially be named the "Mangrove" Mike Forster Dog Park.

Mayor Mahoney and Village staff are now planning a special dedication ceremony in January, which will include a commemorative plaque and bench to celebrate Mike’s legacy.

To make this tribute truly special, we’re inviting the community to help bring the celebration to life.

Donations will directly support the ceremony and memorial features.

If you’d like to contribute, visit Centennial Bank and ask to donate to the “Mangrove Mike Dedication” account, or contact Mayor Mahoney for more information.

Lifeguard Training Course: Blended Learning Format (online + in person) approximately 30-hour course.

Must be 15 years of age.

Mandatory Pre-Skills Test October 23rd.

Course dates: November 7-9, 2025.

$275 Course Fee.

Register by October 22nd.



Contact Instructor Anna Capps at Lifeguards@islamorada.fl.us.

We invite you to be part of the 7th Annual Trunk or Treat Halloween Party & Haunted Trail — one of Islamorada’s favorite family traditions!

We’re looking for creative and spirited Trunk and Spooky Spot participants to help make this event frightfully fun for all ages!



🚗 Trunks: Decorate your vehicle, dress up, and hand out candy to eager trunk-or-treaters!

🌲 Spooky Spots: Bring your imagination (and a little creepiness!) to decorate a section of the Haunted Trail and thrill hayride guests.

It’s a great way to showcase your business or organization, connect with the community, and help create magical Halloween memories.

🕸️ Join the fun! Find event details and registration information here:

👉 https://www.islamorada.fl.us/498/Trunk-or-Treat-Halloween-Event

Let’s make this Halloween the spookiest (and sweetest) one yet! 🎃🕷️

Baseball Task Force Meeting

October 20 | 5:30 pm

Parks and Recreation Citizens' Advisory Committee Meeting

October 23| 5:00 pm

Near Shore Water Regulation Citizens' Advisory Committee Meeting

October 28, 2025 | 5:15 pm

Interim Committee Weeks:

Week of November 3

Week of November 17

Week of December 1

Week of December 8

◆ November 21

House final deadline to file Appropriation Project Request Forms

◆ November 21

Member Bill Submission Deadline

◆ January 7

Member Bill Final Draft Deadline 

◆ January 13

Day 1 ~ First Day of the 2026 Regular Session 

◆ January 16

House Attestation Forms Due for Appropriations Projects

◆ March 13

Day 60 ~ Last Day of the 2026 Regular Session

Christian Owens was born and raised in Islamorada. Prior to working for the Village, he was a technical diving instructor and an owner, operator and captain for a commercial aquaculture company that specialized in native soft coral species, tropical fish, and anemones.

Christian joined the Village in June of 2024 as a Code Compliance Officer and has been proud to serve his community every day since.

Because of his close ties to the community, he prioritizes open communication and education over enforcement.

He is certified through the Florida Association of Code Enforcement as a level 1 Code Enforcement Officer and certified in safe turtle lighting practices through the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Devin Hughes is a local with 10 years of public service experience.

Prior to working for the village, he spent 4 years in the United States Air Force as a Munitions Systems Journeyman.

After his service, Devin returned home to the Keys and spent 3 years working for the Florida Park Service as a Park Ranger. He then spent a few more years working at Mariner’s hospital during the COVID pandemic.

Devin is a new addition to the Village’s Code Compliance team and just began working for the Village in September of this year.

In his role, Devin is responsible for handling official code complaints and interfacing directly with the community on other code related issues.

He looks forward to reconnecting with his childhood community and assisting the residents of Islamorada.

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