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Monroe County BOCC - Florida Keys, Key West, FL (2026)

10/23/2026

OPERATION FLAMINGO: A HIDDEN GEM IN THE COUNTY’S MAINLAND EVERGLADES TERRITORY

Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, Emergency Management Director Cory Schwisow, Public Information Officer Kristen Livengood, Monroe County Sheriff's Office Capt. Spenser Bryan, Emergency Management Planner Josh Baer, and Keys Health Ready Coalition’s Megan Bosi, traded the Florida Keys for the Everglades on Thursday as part of "Operation Flamingo," a visit to one of the county's most unique destinations.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) provided transportation, giving the group an opportunity to experience the waterways connecting the Florida Keys and mainland Monroe County while learning more about the remote region.

Located within Everglades National Park, Flamingo is part of mainland Monroe County and offers a completely different side of the county from the Florida Keys most people associate with it. Flamingo has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years after reconstruction following the past decade of hurricanes. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Florida Bay and the Everglades, the remote destination features waterfront accommodations, a restaurant, a marina, wildlife viewing, and outdoor adventures.

“When people think of Monroe County, they naturally think of the Florida Keys, but Flamingo is another incredible part of our county that deserves to be discovered,” said Lincoln. “From the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife to the unique accommodations and waterfront dining, Flamingo really is a hidden gem. We are fortunate to have this special place right here in Monroe County.”

The visit also strengthened relationships between Monroe County, the National Park Service, FWC, and other public safety partners.

“Coordination is especially important in remote areas of the county, where marine transportation, emergency communications, and interagency cooperation play a critical role in public safety,” said Schwisow.

An unexpected reminder of marine safety importance came during the boat trip. FWC officers received a call about a vessel taking on water after its engine broke away from the transom. The group saw firsthand how FWC and other agencies work quickly together to keep boaters safe. Everyone aboard the distressed vessel was safe.

Monroe County appreciates FWC Lt. Jeremy Foell and Officers Jason Richards, Shawn Turner, and Alex Allen for their assistance with Operation Flamingo, as well as the National Park Service for welcoming the delegation and showcasing this special part of Monroe County.

To learn more about Flamingo, visit www.nps.gov/ever and www.FlamingoEverglades.com.

Pictured:

National Park Service’s Allyson Gantt shows a map located in the visitor’s center to the county delegation.

Deputy Park Superintendent Sabrina Diaz shows Mayor Lincoln around the visitor’s center. The visitor’s center offers interactive activities for all ages.

The county delegation with Everglades National Park Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife staff at the restaurant located at the lodge.

Right place, right time: FWC’s Jason Richards pulls up beside a distressed boat about 11 miles offshore of Everglades National Park Flamingo area.

Mayor Lincoln views one of several different options for accommodations offered at the park.

Glamping at the park is a major attraction. The Flamingo Lodge features waterfront studios and suites, while other overnight options include houseboats, eco-tents, RV hookups, and traditional camping.

10/21/2026

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed October 2026 as Keys Kids Health Month, alongside Keys Kids Health Centers and Keys Area Health Education Center (AHEC), to raise awareness of the importance of children's health, preventive healthcare, and dental hygiene throughout the Florida Keys.

The proclamation highlights the importance of regular medical and dental checkups, healthy habits, and early intervention in helping children grow, learn, and thrive.

For more than a decade, Keys AHEC's Keys Kids Health Centers program has provided essential medical and dental services to children throughout Monroe County through school-based healthcare programs. By bringing healthcare services directly to schools, the program helps remove barriers to care and makes preventive and comprehensive health services more accessible to local students and families.

"Healthy children are the foundation of a healthy community," said Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln. "By recognizing Keys Kids Health Month, we want to remind families of the importance of preventive care and thank the dedicated healthcare professionals who work every day to support the health and well-being of our children."

To learn more about AHEC, visit keysahec.org.

10/20/2026

Monroe County Artificial Reefs Director Hanna Koch, Ph.D., co-authored a scientific paper published in the international journal “Frontiers in Marine Science” that explores how strategically designed and placed artificial reef structures could help restore declining marine habitats, support marine life, and strengthen ecosystem resilience in the Florida Keys.

The peer-reviewed paper, titled “The Potential for Habitat Support Structures to Address Habitat Deficits in a Declining Marine Ecosystem,” was published Oct. 15 and co-authored with William Sharp and John Hunt of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

The perspective piece examines how the decline of coral reefs, sponge communities, and other habitats in the Florida Keys contributes to the loss of important marine species and the physical structures that shelter, feed, and nurture fish, spiny lobsters, and other marine organisms.

“As corals and sponges die, once-complex underwater habitats become flatter and less structured, reducing the spaces fish and other marine invertebrates need to survive and reproduce,” said Koch. The paper proposes a complementary approach to traditional restoration efforts using specially designed, strategically placed habitat support structures that mimic the physical characteristics of natural marine habitats. “Since most organisms migrate across different habitats as they grow, strategically placed habitat support structures across interconnected habitat types may promote the production of key species by providing quality habitat for all life stages, from larvae to juvenile to reproductive adult.”

For example, shallow nearshore hardbottom habitats composed of diverse sponge communities throughout the Florida Keys historically sheltered juvenile spiny lobsters and fish before they matured and moved to deeper offshore reefs. Widespread sponge die-offs and other environmental changes have significantly reduced available habitat in these areas, threatening these vital sources of fish and lobster.

The paper discusses how well-designed structures could recreate the habitat space that some of the sponges and natural limestone cavities once provided. More complex structures, including those produced through emerging three-dimensional concrete printing technologies, could also mimic the structurally complex branching and habitat-forming features of coral reefs.

The authors stressed the need for small-scale pilot studies, careful site selection, regulatory coordination, and long-term monitoring to evaluate ecological benefits before larger projects are considered. They also said this approach is not meant to replace coral reef restoration and other conservation methods for protecting natural reefs.

“As we continue to rely on marine resources to sustain our livelihoods and drive our economy, we need to continue developing and implementing sustainable solutions to environmental challenges that also promote economic benefits,” said Koch.

The full scientific paper is available online at https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1980513.

To learn more about the county's artificial reef program, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/reefs.

10/19/2026

Monroe County Facilities Development and Monroe County Fire Rescue are preparing to demolish and replace the Sugarloaf Key Fire Station #10, with work scheduled to begin this week. The 8,320-square-foot two-story project will replace the existing facility with a new fire station designed to better serve the community and support emergency response operations.

The project will begin with interior preparations and equipment staging, followed by demolition of the existing structure. A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new fire station is anticipated in early December.

The existing fire station has experienced significant structural and maintenance issues and is no longer considered economically repairable. The replacement project will provide a modern facility designed to meet Monroe County Fire Rescue's operational needs and support long-term emergency services in the Lower Keys. At the community’s request, plans for the new station include a multipurpose room.

“The new Sugarloaf Key Fire Station represents Monroe County’s continued investment in public safety infrastructure and its commitment to providing reliable emergency services to residents and visitors throughout the Florida Keys,” said Fire Chief R.L. Colina.

Fire rescue services in the Sugarloaf Key area have remained uninterrupted despite the station’s closure. Firefighters are operating from a temporary location to maintain emergency response coverage until construction of the new station is complete.

Additional information regarding the ceremonial groundbreaking will be announced as plans are finalized. Construction is anticipated to be complete at the end of 2027.

10/19/2026

Attention Monroe County Voters - Update On the Big Pine key Early Voting Site

Read this Press Release:

Unlocked Door at Early Voting Site Prompts Voting Machine Swap Ahead of Early Voting which Starts Monday October 19th

KEY WEST, FL. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 18, 2026
Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies announced today that she swapped out the voting tabulator machines at the Big Pine Community Park early voting site after being informed that the door to that site was discovered unlocked. Hodies and her staff tested substitute tabulator machines prior to moving them to Big Pine to eliminate any question that the unlocked door affected the accuracy of the early voting results from the Big Pine site. Hodies also replaced the electronic voter identification systems used to register voters at Big Pine.

The Sheriff’s office is investigating the matter.

On Saturday, October 17th, Supervisor Hodies was alerted by a citizen that the citizen had found the door to the early voting site at the Big Pine Community Park unlocked with the voting equipment inside, unattended. That equipment had been placed there in preparation for early voting, which starts on Monday October 19th.

The citizen also alerted a Monroe County Park staff member who immediately secured the door. The Supervisor went to the site to confirm that the polling location was secured and that the machines had not been tampered with.

Later in the day, Hodies met with Sheriff’s deputies who are investigating the incident. Hodies also met with County staff to add additional security to the polling location.

On Sunday, October 18th, Supervisor Hodies and her staff, under the Supervision of the Monroe County Canvassing Board, conducted logic and accuracy testing on voting tabulator machines that had been held in reserve at her Key West office.

The substitute machines were then transported by Monroe County Facilities staff to the Big Pine Community Center early voting site under the supervision of Hodies.

Supervisor Hodies commented on this weekend’s events, “Once alerted to the problem, we took immediate steps to secure the room and replace the tabulator machines and electronic voter identification systems at Big Pine Community Park to eliminate any question about the results from that location. While the election equipment was not compromised, we acted to ensure voter confidence in the election results.

I want to thank Sheriff Ramsay, his deputies, Canvassing Board Members Judge Al Kelley, Judge Derek Lewis, and Tax Collector Sam Steele, and county staff for their efforts to ensure that voters can cast their vote with confidence at the Big Pine Community Park starting Monday, October 19th.”

Early voting starts Monday, October 19th and runs until Saturday October 31st - which includes 2 Saturdays and 1 Sunday - from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at five locations in Monroe County:

1. Supervisor of Elections Headquarters,
5200 College Road, Key West;

2. Big Pine Community Park,
31009 Atlantis Drive, Big Pine Key;

3. Supervisor of Election’s Branch Office,
10015 Overseas Hwy, Marathon;

4. Community Center in Old Courthouse,
88820 Overseas Hwy., Plantation Key;

5. Supervisor of Election’s Branch Office,
Murray Nelson Government Center,
102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo.

For more information contact Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies at 305-292- 3416. 30

10/16/2026

Monroe County will continue its celebration of America's 250th anniversary with two special community events in November featuring the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit, the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team, and a patriotic drone show.

The events will take place Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Founders Park in Islamorada, and Friday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Big Pine Key Community Park. Both events will give residents and visitors a chance to come together to honor America's history, remember the victims of 9/11, and celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.

The featured attraction is the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit, a traveling memorial and educational experience commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The 83-foot tractor-trailer transforms into a 1,100-square-foot museum featuring multimedia presentations, tributes, and authentic artifacts recovered from Ground Zero, including World Trade Center steel, pieces of the marble lobby floor and sections of the building's aluminum facade.

Retired New York City firefighters and first responders who served at Ground Zero lead guided tours, offering visitors a personal perspective on that day and the weeks that followed.

Adding to the patriotic celebrations, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will bring an 18-person aerial demonstration to the Florida Keys, showcasing the skill and precision of military parachutists. The festivities will conclude with a patriotic drone show that will illuminate the night sky in celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

"As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we also have an opportunity to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that have shaped our nation," said Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln. "These events bring our community together to celebrate our country, honor our military and first responders, and help younger generations understand why we must never forget the events of Sept. 11."

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council proudly sponsors the events. Special thanks also to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Islamorada for supporting the events.

EVENT DETAILS
Islamorada America 250 Celebration
Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Founders Park, Islamorada
The exhibit will be open to the public Tuesday, Nov. 17 and Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 2 to 5:30 p.m.

Big Pine Key America 250 Celebration
Friday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Big Pine Key Community Park
The exhibit will be open to the public Friday, Nov. 20, from 2 to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tunnel to Towers Run: Nov. 21, 8 a.m.

Monroe County School District middle schools will also tour the exhibit.

For more information about Monroe County's America 250 celebrations, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/250. As the event timeline is updated, details will be shared on the website.

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About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation: Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to "do good" by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. The Foundation also works to eradicate veteran homelessness and preserve the memory of Sept. 11, 2001, through educational initiatives, including the 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit. Learn more at T2T.org.

10/13/2026

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners will host an Amendment 3 Property Tax Reform Workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m. at the Marathon Government Center, with Zoom participation also available. Zoom details are available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar. The workshop will provide residents and business owners with information about Amendment 3, a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot, and its potential impacts on property taxes, local government funding, and county services.

If voters approve Amendment 3 by a 60% majority, the constitutional homestead exemption on non-school property taxes will increase to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with annual inflation adjustments beginning in 2029. The amendment also calls for the legislature to develop a schedule to fully eliminate homesteaded property assessed value. The amendment would also reduce the annual assessment increase cap for non-homesteaded properties, including businesses and rental properties, from 10% to 5%.

During the workshop, county staff will provide an overview of the proposed amendment and discuss:

• Impacts on local homestead vs. non-homesteaded property owners
• Monroe County budget impacts
• Potential tax shifts
• Future budget considerations

The workshop is for informational purposes only and will provide factual information intended to help voters better understand the proposed changes and their potential effects before heading to the polls. Monroe County does not support or oppose any ballot measures.

Additional information will be available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/taxreform.

10/13/2026

LET’S TALK COMPOST! 🪱 Turn Food Scraps into Black Gold!

Join Monroe County for a fun, educational, and hands-on Composting Workshop hosted by the Big Pine Key Botanical Club on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Big Pine Key Community Center, 179 Key Deer Blvd.

What You'll Learn:
🍎 Surprising food waste facts and simple prevention tips
♻️ How reducing food waste protects our environment, conserves resources, and reduces landfill dependence
🌱 Different composting methods for turning food scraps into nutrient-rich soil amendments
🪱 LIVE DEMONSTRATION: Learn how to build your own worm composting (vermicomposting) bin! We'll raffle off the completed worm composting bin to one lucky attendee!

Questions? [email protected] or 305-509-0325.

10/13/2026

In recognition of Veterans Day, Monroe County will illuminate the Harvey Government Center and the Historic Gato Building in Key West, the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo, the Monroe County Emergency Operations Center in Marathon, and the Public Library System’s Marathon branch in green from Nov. 4-11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans. Operation Green Light is a nationwide initiative led by the National Association of Counties that brings communities together to honor and support military Veterans and raise awareness of the many challenges they face. Veterans Day is observed on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

This marks Monroe County's fifth year participating in Operation Green Light, joining counties across the country in creating a visible display of appreciation and support for those who have served.

Monroe County residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to participate by changing one light bulb at home or at their place of business to a green bulb during the week leading up to Veterans Day. The simple gesture helps create a communitywide display of gratitude for local Veterans and their service.

“Lighting our county facilities green gives our community a meaningful way to recognize the service and sacrifice of our Veterans,” said Cathy Crane, Director of Community Services. “We hope residents, businesses, and organizations throughout the Florida Keys will join us in this effort. Together, these small acts of recognition can send a powerful message that our Veterans are valued, remembered, and supported by the community they served.”

For more information about the initiative, visit www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans.

To learn more about Monroe County Veterans Affairs and the services available to Veterans and their families, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va.

10/11/2026

Calling all retirees and homebodies, because we have the dog for you! Meet Toby. Toby is a 9-year-old, stage 5 clinger. This sweet boy wants to be in your lap at all times, or cuddled up to you on the couch. In fact, right now he's sitting in my lap with his head rested on my arm as I write this. Toby is the perfect companion for someone in need of a best friend to keep you company and comfort you all day long.

Thanks to The Grey Muzzle Organization, our sweet senior Toby is a member of our Golden Paw program, which means his adoption comes with some incredible perks:

• Adoption fee WAIVED
• Senior bloodwork panel before going home
• Complimentary wellness exam + vaccines at our Dogwood Clinic one year after adoption
• 10% off future wellness services

You can meet Toby at our Marathon Campus or visit us online at https://fkspca.org/adopt/adopt-a-dog/ to apply today!

Monroe County BOCC - Florida Keys

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