The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 31 will hear an update on their plan to ask voters to switch the form of government across the Florida Keys to a charter system, which would allow them to create a new tax to fund the enormous costs of fixing bridges and raising roads across the island chain.
The Jan. 31 meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Marathon Government Center and via Zoom.
County Attorney Bob Shillinger will ask commissioners whether they want to update the draft of the charter to include establishing a charter review commission, which in Florida is typically assigned to propose amendments or revisions to what’s essentially a county constitution.
Any changes to the charter would still require voters’ approval via a referendum at a general election.
In Florida, 17 of the 20 county charters provide for charter review commissions. The exceptions are the larger charter counties: Duval, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.
In the Keys, none of the charters for the municipalities have the review commissions, but some, including Key West, have the option to convene a charter review commission.
Another issue with the charter plan is whether county commissioners elected to succeed the current seated officials could meddle with the power previously given to city ordinances.
Shillinger’s most recent memo to the BOCC says the current draft “preserves the priority of conflicting municipal ordinances over county ordinances.” It also says that any amendments would require a unanimous county commission vote to even place such a question on the ballot for voters to consider.
At an October workshop, commissioners said they wanted to check with city leaders and residents to learn if the draft’s language sufficiently addressed any worries that a future county commission may want to amend the charter to preempt city ordinances, meaning the county would have the power to supersede municipalities.
BOCC likes the sound of Buffett Highway
County Mayor Holly Raschein wants the BOCC to support proposed state legislation to rename state road A1A the “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.”
Bills pending in the state legislature ask for the tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter, who found his musical voice in 1970s Key West, and went on to build a fortune with his Margaritaville brand.
Buffett died Sept. 1, 2023, at 76 after a four-year struggle with a rare form of skin cancer.
The idea of seeking federal approval to name the Key West International Airport after Buffett appears to have been scrapped in favor of the A1A christening.
It’s not an airport, but A1A is considered a Florida legend and national treasure, just like Buffett, who named one of his albums after the state road.
The bill designates the entire stretch of A1A that runs along Florida’s entire eastern coast, touching 11 counties from Monroe through Nassau, and from Key West to Fernandina Beach.
How slow should Tavernier Creek go?
At the same meeting, county commissioners will also consider a proposal to expand the existing slow-speed minimum wake zone in Tavernier Creek, based on safety concerns raised by the Village of Islamorada.
The existing wake zone covers 70% of Tavernier Creek. The village has asked the county to cover the remainder of the creek by extending the zone to include two blind bends and two blind corners.
The county’s recent survey showed the navigable portion of the waterway in this area is about 100 feet wide.
Challenging conditions at Tavernier Creek – swift currents, limited visibility and increased vessel traffic – indicate a potential safety hazard, county staff said.
“We saw multiple kayaks, two boats fishing at anchor, a 50-foot charter vessel, and various pleasure craft in just a short transit of the creek,” said Brittany Burtner, Monroe County marine resources senior administrator. “The safety concerns are evident, and the village’s proposal aligns with the need for reduced vessel speed in this area.”
The existing caution buoys marking the blind bends in the area emphasize the need for caution.
The village’s request is grounded in safety considerations and aligns with the criteria outlined in Florida state regulations that cover bends or obstructions affecting visibility in narrow channels.
If the BOCC directs staff to move forward, county staff will pursue permitting a zone to cover the remainder of the creek. It would require a local ordinance and a review by state officials.To read the BOCC agenda and watch the meeting live, visit the county’s website, www.monroecounty-fl.gov/meetings.
