|
Village Weekly Update
September 2, 2025
| | | | |
During the Village Council’s recent budget workshops, I worked with staff and Council to propose a budget which would maintain the current year’s property tax millage rate of 2.65 mills, despite large mandatory contractual cost increases in our public safety budget.
That means if there is no increase in your property’s assessed value as determined by the Monroe County Property Appraiser, you will see no increase in the real property taxes you pay to the Village for all the services we provide, even those with increased costs.
| | Changes can still be made to this 2.65 mill proposed budget which will be presented to the Council at the first public budget hearing this Thursday, September 4 at 5:30 at the Founders Park Community Center. The second and final public budget hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 16. | | This past Wednesday, I conducted a public workshop to receive input on Village-owned properties. We presented information on the history and potential uses of currently owned properties, with a specific focus on the Island Community Church (83250 Overseas Hwy), Island Silver & Spice (81981 Overseas Hwy) and the Machado lots (MM 88). There was a lively interactive discussion between the public and Village staff. There was a general agreement that more discussion was needed. As always, we welcome any public input on how we should use properties our Village has purchased. | | As we work on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, we want to bring you along for the journey. There’s a lot that goes into the process, some of it might not be noticeable at first glance. Each week leading to the budget hearings, we'll highlight different components through our "Budget Breakdowns" series. Some questions were brought up at the Public Information Session which we will address in this and future editions of the newsletter. | | |
Understanding Statutory Budget Deadlines
Florida’s municipal budget process is governed primarily by Chapter 166.241 of the Florida Statutes, along with Section 200.065, which outlines the procedures for setting millage rates and conducting public hearings. Here's a breakdown of the key statutorily required dates and timelines:
Fiscal Year Timeline
Fiscal Year Start: October 1
Fiscal Year End: September 30 of the following year
Budget Adoption Requirements
Tentative Budget Posting: Must be posted on the municipality’s official website at least 2 days before the first public budget hearing.
First Public Hearing: Scheduled according to Section 200.065, typically held in September, after the Property Appraiser certifies the taxable value (usually in July). This hearing sets the tentative millage rate and budget and will be held on Thursday, September 4. The agenda and budget materials can be viewed here.
Final Budget Hearing: Must be held at least 2 days after the first hearing. The final millage rate and budget are adopted here. This hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 16.
Final Budget Posting: Must be posted on the municipality’s website within 30 days after adoption and remain available for at least 2 years
Reporting Deadline
By October 15: The municipal budget officer must electronically submit detailed budget and economic data to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, including:
- Government spending and debt per resident (last 5 years)
- Average municipal employee salary
- Median income
- Number of special taxing districts
- Percent of budget spent on salaries and benefits
These deadlines ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility, and public participation in the budget process.
In addition to the statutorily required deadlines and opportunities for public input, the Village also held three budget workshops on August 5-7. Furthermore, Village Manager Saunders invited five Islamorada residents to serve as a Budget Review Task Force, which met twice in meetings that were held live, being televised, streamed, and open to the public.
| | Check out our budget calendar to review the next steps in our budget process. We welcome community feedback and hope to see you all at our public meetings and workshops. | | We Hope Everyone Had A Safe and Fun Labor Day Holiday! | | | | |
Yesterday, Council Member Anna Richards and Village Manager Ron Saunders attended an event at The Protect Center in Islamorada where a name change was announced.
The Protect Center at MM 82 will now be known as Dolphin Life and serves as a marine mammal hospital and education facility which offers interactive experiences such as a marine conservation museum.
Richards and Saunders, as well as Vice Mayor Don Horton, also attended a Labor Day ceremony yesterday at the Islamorada Hurricane Monument at MM 81.5 honoring the civilians and war veterans who perished in the 1935 hurricane. The event was hosted by the Matecumbe Historical Trust.
| | Test Your Hurricane Know-How! | | | | |
Hurricane season is here, and knowledge is one of our community’s strongest defenses. To help everyone stay storm-ready, we’re launching a multi-part Hurricane Facts Quiz series in our newsletter. Each edition will feature a short set of questions to test your storm preparedness know-how, covering topics like evacuation zones, storm surge safety, supply kits, and more.
Whether you ace the quiz or learn something new, each round will give you valuable information to help protect your family, your home, and our village when a storm approaches.
Click on the button below to take the second quiz!
| | Pet Hurricane Evacuation List | | | | |
Our pets depend on us during emergencies. Hurricane season is here, and it’s important to make sure your furry (and feathered!) family members are part of your evacuation plan.
This Pet Hurricane Evacuation List highlights:
- Vaccinations, microchips, and vet records
- Pet-friendly hotels & shelters
- Two weeks of food, water, and medications
- Comfort items, kennels, leashes, litter, and more
Remember: If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. Don’t leave them behind.
Stay prepared, stay safe, and keep your pets protected this hurricane season.
| | Did You Know That Monroe County Shelters Are Pet-Friendly? | | | | |
All Monroe County shelters are pet-friendly, but it's best to pre-register your pets before a storm threatens.
Learn how to pre-register your pet at www.monroecountyem.com/petsheltering.
| | Coming Soon - Dog Park to be Dedicated to "Mangrove" Mike Forster | | |
| |
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 this fall, 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.
| | |
Household Hazardous Waste Collection – September 12 and 13
Our next hazardous waste collection will take place between 9 am and 12 pm at Founders Park on Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13. This service is free to Islamorada residents. Household waste materials include:
- Used motor oil, antifreeze
- Hydraulic fluids, paints, stains, strippers, wood preservatives
- Roof and tar patching compounds
A full list of qualifying household waste materials can be found here.
| | |
|
Deb Gillis
Council Member
| | |
Our Village staff has done an excellent job preparing this year’s budget, keeping the millage rate at 2.65 — the same as last year. We all feel the impact of rising costs, and government is no exception. Staff worked hard to balance expenses while setting aside as much as possible for reserves.
Even with those efforts, our hurricane reserves and unassigned funds are about $1 million lower than in past years — and given today’s economic climate, they need to be higher than before.
Our Manager has arranged a line of credit, and Chief Abel secured participation in a FEMA program that could advance up to 60% of estimated damages after a storm. These tools help, but they won’t fully cover our needs. FEMA reimbursements are harder to qualify for, and there is even discussion of the elimination of FEMA.
| | I will continue working to strengthen our reserves while keeping taxes reasonable. My priority is ensuring Islamorada recovers quickly, remains resilient, and stays financially stable. Together, we can keep Islamorada strong. | | |
Angy Rivas
Planning Coordinator
| | |
Angy Rivas recently joined the Village’s Planning Department serving as the Planning Coordinator, where she provides technical and administrative support to the Planning Director and Department staff.
In her role, she manages special permit license applications, preparing meeting materials, coordinating public hearings, and responding to public records requests. She also serves as a key point of contact for residents and applicants, helping to resolve inquiries and keep processes moving smoothly.
With a background in administrative support and operations, she brings strong organizational skills and attention to detail to every project.
| | Fun Fact: Outside of work, she enjoys boating with her husband, Max, and their adventurous dog, Stitch. | | | | |
