Florida legislators approved a $117.5 billion budget to conclude a 60-day session in Tallahassee on March 8.
Funds for a number of Florida Keys projects were included in the state spending plan, but not all requests were granted for the southernmost county.
For the fourth straight year, the state legislature’s spending plan allocated $20 million for the Florida Keys Stewardship Act. Funds support water quality projects throughout the island chain, which include restoring Keys canals plagued by poor water quality. The Stewardship bill passed through the legislature in 2016 in an effort to protect the Keys’ nearshore waters and lands.
State legislators supported $5 million for Monroe County’s new artificial reef program. It’s the second consecutive year legislators included funding for the new program, which will establish a network of habitats, ranging from shallow to deeper depths, to support marine habitats and fish stocks. Last year, the legislature gave $10 million to the program. Recently, the county hired Hanna Koch as artificial reefs director. She previously worked at Mote Marine Laboratory as program manager for coral restoration.
The county is eyeing the use of 37 hollow power poles that are 50 feet high. They were acquired from the Florida Keys Electric Co-op’s Sea Oats Beach project in Islamorada.
Amid the recent fish deaths in the Florida Keys, the legislature said “yes” to inserting $2 million into the budget for the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to investigate in working with local fishing guides. Mote Marine Laboratory will get $1 million for ongoing coral restoration in the Keys.
Funds to the tune of $5 million were included for the Florida Keys Aqueduct’s reverse osmosis facility in the Middle Keys. The plant aims to increase emergency water supply capacity by 4 million gallons, ensuring uninterrupted service to citizens during disasters. It also addresses a pressing need for more water supply between population growth and restrictions on withdrawals from the Keys main water source in the Biscayne Aquifer.
A total of $1.1 million was successfully placed in the state budget for Monroe County to purchase marine vessels for a new response program on the water. Islamorada and Key Largo fire rescues each received $300,000 for response vessels, while Marathon Fire Rescue secured $150,000 for a marine emergency response vessel.
Funds for the Monroe County School District’s Bruce Hall renovation was axed from the budget. The school district originally asked for $18 million for the project. At one point, the project request was included in the budget, but it was slashed to $9 million. Florida Keys State Rep. Jim Mooney said the funding went down to the wire, “and like a lot of other things, didn’t make it to the finish line.”
Superintendent Theresa Axford remains hopeful the district will get funding next session for a project, which has support from the state’s education commissioner, Manny Diaz.
“The final list was dramatically reduced and several other school districts had projects completely wiped out,” Axford told the Keys Weekly. “The third time’s a charm, and with full support from Senator Rodriguez and Representative Mooney, we are going back for the money next year.”
Axford added that U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, whose district includes the Florida Keys, is helping the district request federal funds from Congress in the current budget cycle.
“We are not giving up on a project that would do so much good for so many people,” Axford said.
Last year, funds were excluded in the state budget to help three Keys Habitat for Humanity offices build homes for the local workforce. This go around, legislators supported $950,000 to support the Habitats in their missions to construct affordable places for working families and individuals.
A county vessel pump out program received $650,000. San Carlos Institute in Key West received $1 million for structural repairs, while the Harry S. Truman Little White House will obtain $125,000 for exterior shutters.
A total of $1 million will support construction of a new domestic violence shelter in the Middle Keys. The shelter was wiped out following Hurricane Irma in 2017.
A $975,000 ask by Florida Keys Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) was reduced to $355,110 by time legislators approved the budget. Funds were requested to help AHEC provide medical and oral care to medically vulnerable children.
Before the budget was approved, State Rep. Tom Leek, the Volusia County Republican who served as appropriations chairman, responded to concerns surrounding the exclusion of certain projects brought forward by legislators for their respective districts.
“When you go back to your constituents and they have great cause, ask if this is something the government should fund … or should it be done outside of that,” he said. “I believe most of the things that come before us, regardless of how great they may be, should be funded outside of the government.”
More than $1 billion was included for teacher salary increases across Florida. State legislators also allocated $1.7 billion for Everglades restoration and other water quality projects.
The spending plan, which would take effect July 1, will now go to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has the power to approve and veto line items. The legislatively approved budget is less than the current fiscal year spending plan of $119.1 billion.
