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Village Weekly Update
July 20, 2026
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The Village Council and Monroe County School Board will hold a joint special meeting tomorrow, July 21, at 1:30 p.m. in the Media Center at Marathon Middle High School, 350 Sombrero Beach Road, Marathon.
The topic of discussion will be a proposed License Agreement for the use of the Founders Park baseball field. A copy of the meeting agenda can be found by going to the District’s website.
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Interested parties may appear and speak at the meeting. If unable to attend, written comments can be directed to Maria.Allen@KeysSchools.com and will be entered into the record.
Once the meeting begins at 1:30 PM, the public livestream link will be available on the District webpage alongside the meeting information:
https://monroe-k12.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
Please feel free to access the page at that time to view the meeting live.
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The Village was successful in obtaining $1,375,000 in state funding this legislative session:
$375,000 for the Islamorada North Plantation Key Pump Station Wastewater Capital Project
$300,000 for an erosion control project to protect Sea Oats Beach in Lower Matecumbe
$350,000 for the Village’s public transit system to help alleviate traffic congestion on US1
$350,000 to extend student pedestrian buffers or paths beyond school property
The Legislature also approved $20,000,000 for the Florida Stewardship program which will distribute funds to local governments in the Keys to help finance wastewater or canal restoration projects. The Village will be requesting $2,000,000 this year pursuant to a proposed interlocal agreement.
These appropriations were received due to the efforts of Monroe County’s legislative delegation, State Representative Jim Mooney and Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, and the Village’s state lobbying team, Gray Robinson and the Southern Group.
| | Freebee $2 Rider Fare Starts Monday, July 20 | | | |
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.
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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
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.
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
| | Planting Project Completed at Founders Park | | |
Last week, the Village completed a successful native planting project at Founders Park, enhancing open areas adjacent to the park frontage road along Overseas Highway.
The project improves the property's open space while creating a more effective buffer of native vegetation between the highway and the park's many amenities.
Approximately 500 native trees and shrubs representing 16 different species were planted throughout the area.
In accordance with its Comprehensive Plan, the Village continues to restore public lands and hammock habitat, preserve and enhance open space and natural landscapes, and improve community appearance.
As the new plantings mature, they will greatly enhance the appearance of the Founders Park frontage while providing an even better vegetative buffer between Overseas Highway and the park's recreational facilities.
The new landscaping will continue to grow over the coming years, providing lasting aesthetic, environmental, and habitat benefits for residents and visitors alike.
| | Fire Prevention Annual Restaurant Inspections | | July 2026: Mid-Summer Hurricane Readiness
New Month, New Hurricane Quiz! | | |
Before diving into July's Hurricane Quiz, let's review last month’s Hurricane Quiz answers.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
| | Keys Weekly's Islamorada 2026 Hurricane Guide | | Pet Friendly Hurricane Shelter | | 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. | | Important Notice of Polling Location Changes | | |
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.
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| Political Signage Permitting Now Done in CityView | | |
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 at 305-664-6429.
Susan can help walk you through the process if you need assistance.
| | Primary Election Political Signs Permitted as of July 3 | | |
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.
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ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
Sunday, July 19, through Saturday, July 25, 2026
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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:
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No lane closures or detours are scheduled
View the project webpage here
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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:
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Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled to begin Sunday, July 19, through Thursday, July 23, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
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- 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
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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 19, through Thursday, July 23, from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
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- 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
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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:
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Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled Monday, July 20, through Thursday, July 23, 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
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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. |
| Plantation Key Transmission Main Replacement Project Traffic and Access Update | | Sign up for Islamorada Emergency Alert Emails | | July Lifeguard of the Month
Laira Gomer | | |
Join us in celebrating our Lifeguard of the Month – Laira Gomer!
Laira has been a huge help with pool reopening projects and busy summer days. Her positive attitude, professionalism, and leadership initiative are noticed by everyone on deck!
We’re so happy to have her back for summer!
Also, July 31st is National Lifeguard Appreciation Day!
Be sure to drop by the Founders Park Office any time during the month of July to leave a "thank you" note or compliment card in the big red box.
We'll read them aloud with our team and post them in the Lifeguard Station so guards can see your affirmations and words of encouragement throughout the year!
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Canceled: Code Compliance Hearing
July 21 | 10 a.m.
Joint Workshop of the Village Council and Monroe County School Board at Marathon High School
July 21 | 1:30 p.m.
Near Shore Water Regulation Committee
July 21 | 5:15 p.m.
Ron Levy Aquatic Center History & Records Wall Task Force Workshop
July 21 | 6:00 p.m.
Evaluation Committee Meeting RFP 26-06 Canal 145 Organic Removal & Backfill Restoration Project
July 22 | 2:00 p.m.
Special Call Village Council Meeting regarding Baseball Field License Agreement
July 27 | 5:30 p.m.
Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting RFP 26-09 Professional Service Repairs & Exterior Painting of Fire Station 20
July 29 | 10:00 a.m.
| | Submit Your Local Nature Photos for
Islamorada’s Environmental Resource Center | | |
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.
| | 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.
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