The State Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has rescinded its 17-year agreement with the City of Marathon concerning permit review. The change means that Marathon permit applicants may have to wait up to 75 days for DEO permit review on matters as simple as permission to build a fence.
The issue stems from the state’s control over Monroe County’s Area of Critical Concern designation. On Feb. 25, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) notified the city that it issued a notice of violation to the city concerning one development in Marathon, and terminated its existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement, which defines which development orders the city is required to submit to the state. (Development orders include Planning Department decisions and building permits.) Technically, under Florida Statutes and the Administrative Code, all development orders must be submitted to the state unless otherwise specified in an MOU agreement.
Over the past week, the city and DEO have been working jointly on a new MOU. The Marathon City Council unanimously approved the draft MOU at its meeting on March 8 to send to the state immediately.
“We are resolving the matter as quickly as we can,” said Marathon City Manager George Garrett. “In the meantime, the city is complying with the state directive and sending every Marathon development order for review in Tallahassee.”
