From his arrival April 21, new Islamorada Manager Ron Saunders went to work addressing some of the larger issues within the village.
Unanimously selected by the village council on April 10, the former Florida state representative is no stranger to Islamorada — his legislative office was located on Plantation Key.
Since the selection, Saunders secured housing within the village, visited with several organizations and members of the public while keeping residents informed on all the latest happenings through a village newsletter. He’s also keeping some of the major topics at the forefront, as witnessed during a village council meeting earlier in the month when he provided updates on the Fills, the ballfield at Founders Park and the status of village-owned properties.
Saunders brought village public works director A.J. Engelmeyer to the podium for a brief update on the latest surrounding the Fills, the three small islands connecting Upper and Lower Matecumbe that were once the scene of chaos and immense trashing by visitors. Issues surrounding the Fills aren’t new to locals; the state, which owns the property; or the village, which for many years has leased the property to gain better control over the once-popular hangout spot for daytrippers.
Since 2020, public works employees have been stationed along Tea Table Key, Indian Key Fill and Lignumvitae Key Fill to ensure compliance with the available parking spots. The village has budgeted overtime for staff to monitor the Fills for five years. Orange cones have also been stationed to better delineate where cars can park.
A survey in 2023 revealed members of the public wanted the Fills to maintain its natural state as nothing more than a road with no additional amenities. An overwhelming majority stated they didn’t want taxpayer dollars supporting any additional improvements or maintenance.
Fast forward to May 6. Engelmeyer told council members the village removed asphalt from the parking areas along the Fills. With sodding around the bike path and striping the next steps, Engelmeyer said, the project should be done by the end of the month. But public works staff will continue to monitor the Fills through the summer until the Florida Department of Transportation begins a landscaping project spanning the length of the Fills to a rest stop at MM 81 later this fall.
According to FDOT’s website, a landscaping project from MM 75 to MM 81 in Islamorada includes the installation of native trees and palms to improve the road aesthetics, the addition of a landscaping buffer along the roadways and the removal and replacement of diseased and damaged trees. The $1.2 million project is expected to begin this August. Installation is expected to take six months.
“The cones and barriers will remain in until DOT’s project is done,” Engelmeyer added.
Parking spots will remain in two areas where the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is working to bring kayak launches in order to access Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key state parks.
As for any ballfield upgrades, Saunders said no actions will be taken by the school board without the village’s input. Saunders said he spoke to the five school board members individually, as well as Pat Lefere, school district director of operations. Saunders relayed that the village doesn’t want to see any trees come down at the park. Joint use of the facility was also among the discussion.
“We own the property. We want joint use,” Saunders said. “That’ll be in the written agreement so there are not going to be any misunderstandings. We’re going to know exactly how much the school board wants and how much we (the village) want. They can’t keep us off our own field.”
Located at the front of the park, the field was constructed under an agreement between the two governments in 2001. In March 2024, school district officials met with village residents to discuss their desires to spend $5 million for upgrades to the ballfield at Founders Park — the home of Coral Shores baseball. The school board voted 4-1 in November 2023 to award a request for qualification for the design build contract to Chris-Tel Construction.
Saunders told council members he plans to stay involved from the beginning and not in the middle or end as it has been the case in recent years.
“No discussions, no agreements and no proposal will come out without us having input at the beginning,” he said.
Saunders also presented the council with a list of village-owned properties, everything from vacant land to the former Island Community Church and former Island Silver & Spice properties. Saunders suggested the village hold a town meeting to show residents the list of properties and come up with ideas for potential use. Saunders noted suggestions related to high-profile properties, like the church and Island Silver & Spice, are limited per village code. In addition, the firm tasked with updating the comprehensive plan, Able City East, will be incorporating the high-profile properties.
Saunders said he will keep the council and public updated on what the village is doing with the properties.
