A DOGE report last week indicated many local governments they have audited demonstrate there is an “absence of budgetary discipline.”
Is that Islamorada’s problem?
We live in a representative democracy.
This is the concept. Residents vote to elect members of Council and the Council makes decisions that directly affect our lives and our environment. These members are expected to follow the will of the voters when making decisions.
The challenge to this concept is that when Council members forge a disconnect between their constituents and their decisions, the concept does not work as intended.
The lure of political influence, monetary gain, favored treatment for friends and business associates can corrupt the integrity of a representative government.
Several members of council and staff will be in Tallahassee this week, at taxpayers’ expense, attempting to present the needs and will of their constituents.
Taxpayers also fund trips to the League of City conferences. I assume, at these conferences the agenda of the residents is voiced to the other members of the League.
Residents also contract lobbyists to support and implement the Village agenda with our elected officials in Tallahassee. We have been doing this for over a decade. What are the tangible results of these meetings for local taxpayers? We have received generic reports on common issues shared by Marathon and Monroe County.
The residents expect Islamorada staff and council, the League of Cities, Village lobbyists, Monroe County officials, are all onboard with Village 2026 legislative priorities and will be influencing the Florida legislature and producing results for Village residents.
Are the will and agenda of the residents being presented? Do we ever get a detailed trip report specifying what was accomplished, discussed and what initiatives are proceeding?
Networking is essential but at some point it needs to bear fruit.
Property Taxes! Florida legislature is finally having the conversation homeowners have been begging for: tax relief. The state seems ready to direct the effort toward the phasing out of non-school property taxes on homesteaded homes.
This is extremely important for working families, seniors, and long-time residents who are being taxed out of their own homes.
Some folks have characterized the Village as “a Village of rich people.” This insults those residents who work hard to put their children through school and pay the high cost of living we have fallen into with poor decision-making.
Tax relief only works if government spending is brought under control. That means reducing expenses to balance tax reductions.
Will the Islamorada elected officials and staff members be fighting for their citizens this week? Or will they be fighting against tax reform in order to ignore the “reducing expenses” part of the tax relief effort?
If property taxes are reduced, will our elected officials simply find replacement revenue sources without any real attempt to reduce unnecessary expenses?
We need to conduct real operational audits on programs and personnel costs. Numerous programs or positions have been overcome by events. They have achieved their goals or have failed. It’s called “good money after bad.” That is where any meaningful cost savings starts.
You cannot promise lower taxes while continuing business as usual. We cannot continue to give our local government a blank check. We deserve fair taxes, honest budgets, competitive bidding, public participation, and responsible government.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) came about to help eliminate wasteful spending. In our newsletters, we have repeatedly suggested they should head our way. The Village has resisted? Why?
Last week DOGE put out a report showing their findings in a dozen Florida communities. They concluded that there were unreasonable increases in taxes without any corresponding increase in population.
DOGE auditors would have a field day here. Islamorada property taxes have increased from $11.5 million to $18.3 million in the last 5 years while the population has decreased slightly, now a population of about 7,200 with a hefty property tax total.
Does the League of Cities get the point of tax relief? Their 2026 Legislative Platform: “Reducing or eliminating this revenue (homestead property tax) without a reasonable replacement would destabilize city budgets, threaten city creditworthiness, and undermine local priorities.”
We do not agree and I question their logic.
The League should perhaps concentrate on showing cities how to reduce inefficiencies and waste by supporting Florida DOGE efforts.
On another note, are critical issues being addressed currently overwhelming needed oversight?
The Village should encourage substantial and meaningful public engagement with all of the issues that are currently in the works – charter revisions, comp plan upgrades, wastewater EDU count adjustments. The budget season is coming as well.
Our guiding documents are crucial to our long-term vision for the Village. In essence, shouldn’t the community want to feel like we are being represented aggressively relative to our agenda and needs.
We should, undoubtedly favor the proposed tax relief… and work to cut expenses.
Talk to us? Should the Village do surveys relevant to taxes and our local budget, the community’s critical needs, growth, affordability? Make an effort to take the pulse of the community.
We need to steer this ship in the right direction.
Let’s be leaders!
Tom Raffanello
