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Advocacy For Residents, Education and Preservation

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  • The ABCs of Wastewater:

    25 Nov 2025 12:12 PM | Anonymous

    There are major wastewater concerns in Islamorada.  We will highlight concerns every week until there are none left to highlight!


    The wastewater system is operated as an enterprise fund… a self-supporting government fund that sells goods or services to the public for a fee intended to cover all costs… just like a business.  We question whether the Village Wastewater Enterprise fund is operating in a businesslike manner!  


    Self-supporting? No - they show major deficits year after year.


    This week’s concern:

    1. The special call wastewater meeting provided significant information about the FDEP Consent demands and the significant ongoing wastewater concerns. The  estimated fixes enumerated exceed $5.5 million over the budgeted operation and maintenance of the system…. yet little council direction resulted.  The Village Manager acknowledged the need to update EDU counts.


    More about the Nov 17 Special Call meeting in separate wastewater story.




    Note - In recent newsletters we have already questioned:

    1. Why isn’t Sun Community paying their fair share of wastewater costs?

    2. Why is the tiny 1947 trailer park near the Post Office paying more than their fair share?

    3. Why are the three breweries in the Village paying a minimal amount?

    4. Why does Village policy provide a volume discount for wastewater costs to the larger developments, resorts, marinas, restaurants with more than 10 EDUs?

    5. Need for public special call meeting about Wastewater FDEP consent order approval. (Special Call Wastewater meeting held Nov 17, 5:30 PM)

    6. Budget concernhighlighted in Nov 10 wastewater agenda item, Year-end (9/30/25) budget amendment shows a wastewater DEFICIT of $5,343,345 for the year just ended, 9/30/2025.

    7. The 2022 Wastewater Rate Study had critical recommendations approved almost 4 years ago but never implemented.


    We will continue to add/delete concerns until all have been resolved.
     

  • Experts provide wastewater information for Village at November 17 Council Wastewater Meeting

    25 Nov 2025 12:06 PM | Anonymous

    Tom Brzezinski, contract Village engineer with Wade Trim

    Peter Rosasco, General Manager Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District

    A. J. Engelmeyer, Village Director of Public Works and Wastewater

    We understand Wastewater is not fun to follow. Only two or three members of the public attended the special call wastewater meeting.


    Wastewater challenges significantly impact costs to Village property owners. And imagine the potential crisis to our environment if we don’t get this right.


    History: For five years, there have been periodic leaks, near MM92, in the wastewater pipeline that sends Islamorada raw sewage to the Key Largo Wastewater treatment facility at MM100. Engineers in Islamorada and Key Largo have had a difference of opinion on how to fix the problem, and so nothing was done and the leaks continued.


    Consent Agreement: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) stepped in a few weeks ago demanding a fix… or fines. Major daily fines.


    The Village was also mandated to create an Emergency Operations Manual to assure a plan in an emergency.  Doesn’t any raw sewage leak in our fragile environment create an enormous emergency?   Think about the possibility of a leak into the water - 7 bridges with the pipeline buried 45 feet below the channels.  


    Islamorada agreed to comply.  Key Largo agreed to work with the Village, to allow Islamorada to move forward with their fix, without continued alternative preferences from the Key Largo engineers.


    The Cost: At the meeting, Wade Trim engineer, Tom Brzezinski, outlined the proposed fix. The cost: at least $5.5 million, using 2-year-old estimates and ignoring potential payments to Key Largo resulting from the Islamorada changes. Brzezinski suggested the MM92 PVC pipes may have been installed improperly.  


    Key Largo: Peter Rosasco confirmed Key Largo and Islamorada are now on speaking terms and will work together.


    Funding: The current wastewater budget was approved in September with an anticipated $750,000 deficit.  The proposed $5.5 million fix was budgeted at $4,125,000 in September using grant funding already approved.  The Village has requested $750,000 from the Florida Legislature in a 2026 appropriation request. But it appears the wastewater budget deficit is likely to increase without added revenue.


    The recommendations in a 2022 wastewater rate study were never implemented.  As an enterprise fund, wastewater revenues are supposed to be sufficient to cover all costs.  


    The wastewater fund has been operating at a deficit every year.  Why?

    • The rates paid by some, or all property owners, are not enough to operate and maintain the system.

    • There are inefficiencies and flaws that must be corrected

    • Possible design or installation errors


    What’s next?  No real decisions seemed to come out of the special call meeting.

    The Islamorada Community Alliance will continue to search for facts and suggest solutions.
     

  • The White Flags along U.S. One: MM75 to MM81 Bayside:

    25 Nov 2025 12:02 PM | Anonymous

    The white flags along the highway, bay side, are part of the $1.86 million FDOT Landscaping Project that is underway. Each flag marks the location and species of the tree or shrub to be planted in the FDOT Right of Way.


    We wonder what happens to these white flags when the Right of Way is mowed!


    The Village’s Public Works Department has maintained the U.S. Highway 1 right-of-way located within the Village’s municipal boundaries through an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (“FDOT”) in place since 2007.  


    The current 1-year agreement from July 11, 2025 to July 10, 2026 provides for FDOT to pay the Village $65,644/year to maintain the U.S. One Right of Way through Islamorada, approximately 18 miles, both sides of the highway.


    In 2007, when the Village took over the maintenance, FDOT had been mowing once a month.  The Village preferred to upgrade the maintenance and agreed to a $65,000 contract reimbursement from FDOT for the Village effort.


    The current Road Maintenance budget for Public Works is $784,813.  It is not known how much of that is spent for the Village’s upgraded U.S. One maintenance and how much is spent mowing along other Village owned roads.

  • Coral Shores Baseball News:

    25 Nov 2025 11:59 AM | Anonymous

    No Founders Park baseball controversy this time. Coral Shores senior standout, Donovan Thiery, signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Florida State University.  Thiery, whose fastball has been clocked at 97 MPH, is projected to contribute both as a pitcher and a potential DH/first baseman for the Seminoles. Thiery is the first player in Coral Shores baseball history to earn a full Division 1 scholarship.  Baseball games may be standing room only in 2026 to watch Donovan at Founders Park! Hopefully the grass field will be tip top.

    Congratulations Donovan!

  • What's Bugging You?

    25 Nov 2025 11:15 AM | Anonymous

    We get interesting email!  A variety of issues seem to really bother our readers.  Is there something that bothers you?  Maybe we can bring some attention to it!


    This bugs me:  

    Islamorada likes to say we are the Sportfishing Capital of the World.  Why in this world would we prohibit our own amazing back country guides from using the boat ramp at our community park!

  • Don’t miss the Christmas event on Historic Lignumvitae Key!

    25 Nov 2025 11:12 AM | Anonymous

    Tours of house and hammock, games, music, art and crafts, and so much more! Click here for details.

  • Please donate some toys so all kids here have the best Christmas possible!

    25 Nov 2025 11:09 AM | Anonymous


  • Quote of the Week:

    25 Nov 2025 11:07 AM | Anonymous


  • Photo of the Week:

    25 Nov 2025 11:03 AM | Anonymous

    Look who was seen strategizing last weekend!



  • From the Desk of Tom Raffanello, President of the Islamorada Community Alliance

    18 Nov 2025 11:18 AM | Anonymous

    We continue to work diligently to educate the public regarding local issues that impact quality of life, our fragile environment and our limited infrastructure.


    We continue to make rational suggestions. Is anyone in Village Hall listening?

    I am compelled to respond to the ridiculous assertions made at the baseball field discussion last Tuesday.

    To be clear, our position, from the beginning of this issue, has been asking council to adhere to the procedures and rules imposed by our Village.

    That request has been ignored.  The baseball preliminary design was in the agenda as a discussion item only.  Yet they broke with their own rules and voted to approve the design which included the controversial artificial turf.

    Our position on the “turf or grass” is simple — Have council and the public hear both positions, pro and con, and make the right decision consistent with the Villages’ mission statement.


    Additionally, to be clear, this newsletter has over several thousand readers, certainly not a small voice of loonies, considering only 3-4,000 residents vote in our elections.


    There is not a movement of people who would “be happy if the baseball field and other sports fields used by our entire community disappeared.”


    There is more nonsense in the actual quote from last Tuesday but this is the crux of the statement and I don’t want to bore you. Suffice it to say it was a stupid, insulting, ill advised statement that has zero factual basis.


    Shameful.

     

    Our position remains consistent. To ask Council to hear the people and ensure the correct decision is made. For some this is hard to do because many officials do not seek opposing opinions but rather operate in their own bubble.


    Example:

    A  Baseball Field Task Force  of residents, authorized by our Village manager, made the recommendation to do a survey of residents to address the baseball field controversies. The task force request was ignored by Council who did not want to “kick the ball down the road.”


    It would not take a great length of time or effort to settle this issue by hearing from  constituents.


    Unfortunately, many residents are afraid to comment publicly. They fear both personal and commercial reprisals. This has been expressed by many readers.  


    Power, bully politics, with occasional name calling in public, is now the norm in the village council meetings and other forums. We reject childish behavior.


    Real public servants adjust their positions when given additional information. Not in this Village. Some council members were predisposed and made campaign promises.


    We will never shrink from reporting issues as we see them.


    As always, we welcome rational discussion in whatever forum is appropriate.


    The “Will of the People” is more than a slogan.  It is the basis for political decision-making, underscoring the belief that our government should act while considering the wishes of its citizens. 


    As a community we must do better. Remember, elections have consequences.


    Tom Raffanello

Your Chance to Speak Up!  


Attend a Meeting - It's fun!

Monday, March 30, 2026 5:30 PM

Charter Review Committee Meeting

Where: Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, Florida

Thursday, April 2, 2026 9:00 AM

Evaluation Committee Meeting RFQ 26-01 AFFORDABLE/WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Where: Islamorada Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, 86800 Overseas Hwy, 3rd Floor Conference Room, Islamorada, Florida

*cancelled*Monday, April 6, 2026 5:00 PM*cancelled*

Workforce/Affordable Housing Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

Where: Islamorada Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, Third Floor Conference Room, 86800 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, Florida

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 4:00 PM

Village Council Executive Session

Where: Adminstrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, 2nd Floor Conference Room, located at 86800 Overseas Highway Islamorada, Florida

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 5:30 PM

Regular Village Council Meeting

Where: Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 5:00 PM

Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

Where: Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida

Monday, April 13, 2026 5:30 PM

Local Planning Agency Meeting

Where: Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 10:00 AM

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Where: Islamorada Administrative Center & Public Safety Headquarters, 86800 Overseas Hwy, 3rd Floor Conference Room, Islamorada, Florida

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Plates & Plans - Hosted by Planning & Development Services Department

Where: Founder’s Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, Florida

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 10:00 AM

Code Compliance

Where: Zoom

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 5:15 PM

Near Shore Water Regulation Citizens' Advisory Committee Meeting

Where: Islamorada Administrative Center and Public Safety Headquarters, 86800 Overseas Highway, 3rd Floor, Islamorada, Florida

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 5:30 PM

Comprehensive Plan Update Public Workshop

Where: Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, Florida

Meet the Islamorada Community Alliance

We are working on updating this website.  Check back soon to see how we are doing.  If you have suggestions about what you'd like to see and information that is important to you, please let us know.

Our vision

To enhance the community of Islamorada by preserving the quality of life of the residents as well as the beauty and vitality of the native ecosystems and to stop any further degradation of our community from over-development.

Mission statement

To provide the Islamorada residents with information about events occurring in our community that will impact our quality of life, preservation of our native ecosystems, land development, lawful and transparent governance.


CONTACT US

ICA.in.Keys@gmail.com
 Islamorada Community Alliance

P.O. Box 1507

Tavernier, FL  33070-1507


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS

You can also keep up with the local news about Islamorada by subscribing to our newsletters.  Send us a note at 

ICA.in.Keys@gmail.com


Go to our Newsletter Archives:

Islamorada Community Alliance Newsletters

The Village of Islamorada's Newsletter Archive:

The Village Weekly Updates


 

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Our vision

To enhance the community of Islamorada by preserving the quality of life of the residents as well as the beauty and vitality of the native ecosystems and to stop any further degradation of our community from over-development.

Mission statement

To provide the Islamorada residents with information about events occurring in our community that will impact our quality of life, preservation of our native ecosystems, land development, lawful and transparent governance.

DONATE TO THE ICA

Your tax deductible donations allows the ICA to keep you informed about important events that will impact and help protect our quality of life, our neighborhoods, property values and native ecosystems. Your donations make this possible and are most appreciated.

 DONATE

Contact Us

ICA.in.Keys@gmail.com

Islamorada Community Alliance

P.O. Box 1507

Tavernier, FL  33070-1507




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