I guess we are supposed to be thankful that Village Council meetings have been much shorter in duration lately (last Tuesday, 2 hours 3 minutes; Thursday 1 hour and 3 minutes).

Here’s the rub. We have dozens of pending issues that need to be resolved. And we just worry about the length of meetings?

We will give you a taste of efforts not completed :

• Decision on status of a couple properties that cost over 8 million dollars, purchased in the last 5 year, i.e.

1.        The Machado Property-purchased in 2021 for $1.8 million

2.        Island Sugar and Spice, the eye sore in the middle of town, purchased in 2021 for $2.75 million.

3.        And another White Elephant, the old church property, purchased in 2024 for purpose unknown, for $3,995,000.

• What is the status of the Green Turtle Hammock situation, ending management agreement with Florida Bay Forever?

• The decades long search to find a storage place away from Founders Park for Public Works equipment?

• The Contract to maintain 18 miles of FDOT right of way for $65,000 per year ($300/month/mile- both sides of highway)

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

• Food truck regulations

• Vessel exclusion zones

• Noise ordinance

• The Wastewater EDU counts and accounting to assure it is self-funded as an enterprise fund

• The Marina enterprise fund – do they pay to utilize Village owned property to create revenue for Village funds

• Ongoing Budget concerns – making Islamorada more affordable to working residents and fixed income retirees

• Parking issues everywhere in the Village, on U.S. One and Village right of way – need overall plan to make the scenic highway scenic again

• Implementation status of recently approved Founders Park master plan

• Status of 2017 - 2023 Village Strategic Plan

Had enough?

What happened to the After Action Status Report – used to remind council and residents what actions are pending!  It would be constant reminder of things needing attention. We thought it was coming back.

Based on recent updates - the Village Planning Department had the initial Comprehensive Plan draft from Able City since Sep 2025.  Five months later, Feb 2026, the staff sent recommendations for changes without any public involvement. 

Couldn’t we have used that 5 months to discuss the draft publicly – a few workshops.  Why did the staff keep it so private?

Now Able City has sent an updated draft received last week. But it will be about 6 weeks before a workshop is held – and that may be the only workshop for public involvement. 

Remember, this contract with Able City was approved October 2024. The Constitution of the United Staes took less time to be drafted - just 116 days!  With no email and internet.

Since the end of January 2026, the Charter Review Committee has already met 5 times so far to discuss extending the Council term of office from 2 years and increasing council compensation.  These changes have been consistently rejected by voters in past elections. Sounds like another Village Council member wish list.

Cheers for the Youth Council!

We heard from the Youth Council at Tuesday’s Village Council meeting. It appears that these teenagers have figured out how to be creative and productive in helping our community be a better place while still attending school 7 hours a day. Their recommendations were the results of their enthusiasm and hard work. 

None of the issues that we mentioned in our aforementioned list are impossible to resolve. It will just take some “enthusiasm and hard work”.

Village Council- step it up!

Elections have consequences.

Tom Raffanello