Monroe County BOCC - Florida Keys

Monroe County BOCC - Florida Keys This is the official government page of Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.

09/04/2026

September is Library Card Sign-up Month!

We'll be celebrating with a special pop-up at the start of the Monroe County BOCC meeting on Wednesday, Sept 9, at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway.

A library card is a passport to a universe of information, education and enrichment - with no ads or subscription fees.

Find out more about everything a Monroe County Public Library card can do for you at keyslibraries.org.

Monroe County government offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. Offices will reopen for reg...
09/04/2026

Monroe County government offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. Offices will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

Monroe County Fire Rescue, Fire Chief R.L. Colina, and Mayor Michelle Lincoln proudly welcomed 19 new firefighters durin...
09/03/2026

Monroe County Fire Rescue, Fire Chief R.L. Colina, and Mayor Michelle Lincoln proudly welcomed 19 new firefighters during a pinning ceremony held today at the Monroe County Emergency Operations Center on Thursday. Family and friends of the newly pinned firefighters also attended.

The ceremony marked an important milestone for the newest members of Monroe County Fire Rescue as they begin their careers dedicated to protecting the residents and visitors of the Florida Keys. Some of the new firefighters start their first shift on Friday.

Please welcome:

FF/EMT Blake Angulo
FF/EMT Inkhnaton Brown
FF/EMT Luis Cordova
FF/EMT Darryl Cozier
FF/EMT Emmanuel Fernandez
FF/EMT Mark Forman
FF/EMT Andrew Gallo
FF/EMT Mylan Henriquez
FF/EMT Nicholas Jimenez
FF/EMT Lucas Lezcano
FF/EMT Cristobal Martinez
FF/EMT Domenic Mata
FF/EMT Michael Rilo
FF/EMT Tyler Rodriguez
FF/EMT Sean Salazar
FF/EMT Giovanni Santiago
FF/EMT Brandon Shuman
FF/EMT George Sigler
FF/PM Timothy Sotomayor

The pinning ceremony recognizes the dedication, training, and commitment required to serve as a member of Monroe County Fire Rescue. These new firefighters and emergency medical professionals will join the department in providing fire suppression, emergency medical care, rescue services, and emergency response throughout Monroe County.

“Today represents more than receiving a badge and a pin,” said Colina. “It represents a commitment to serve our community, to be there for people during some of their most difficult moments, and to uphold the high standards expected of Monroe County Fire Rescue.”

Congratulations to the winners of Monroe County’s Fourth Annual Benefits Photo Contest! The theme was pets, celebrating ...
09/02/2026

Congratulations to the winners of Monroe County’s Fourth Annual Benefits Photo Contest! The theme was pets, celebrating America's 250th Anniversary, and Land, Air, and Sea.

County employees once again captured some incredible moments from throughout the Florida Keys, and choosing the winners was no easy task.

🏆 1st Place: James Hager, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
“American Flag Sunset on Tiki Cruise in Florida Bay, Key Largo”
🥈 2nd Place: Michael Zeiler, Monroe County Attorney’s Office
“Trauma Star with Water Spout Lower Keys Medical Center”
🥉 3rd Place: Melody Tuschel, Monroe County Solid Waste Department “Smitten and Melody Paddle Boarding”

⭐ Special Recognition: Alison Williams, Monroe County Building Department “Beware of the Tree Sharks”
⭐ Special Recognition: Kevin Kopp, Monroe County Solid Waste Department “From the Shallows to the Deep Blue”
⭐ Special Recognition: Cecelia Howersen, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office “Backyard in Bay Point”

The six winning photographs will be featured in the annual Monroe County Employee Benefits Guide and other Benefits and Health and Wellness materials.

Thank you to the employees who submitted photos showcasing the people, places, wildlife, and views that make Monroe County such a special place to live and work.

09/02/2026

Fidget doesn’t always beg… but when he does, he sure looks adorable. Waiting for his forever home !

09/02/2026

Free Pet Vaccines for Lower & Middle Keys Families!

The Florida Keys SPCA is proud to partner with the Banfield Foundation to provide FREE vaccinations for cats and dogs to pet owners who cannot afford preventive veterinary care.

Through Banfield Foundation's Community Care grant, local pet owners can receive lifesaving vaccines at Florida Keys SPCA wellness clinics from Key West to Marathon, including our mobile clinic locations.

Vaccines help protect pets against serious diseases like rabies, parvovirus, distemper, feline leukemia, and more.

In addition to free vaccines, we continue to offer services including microchipping, heartworm testing, and FIV/FeLV testing at a low-cost rate during our Banfield Vaccination Clinics.

If financial barriers have kept your pet from receiving routine vaccinations, we're here to help keep your furry family members healthy and protected.

For more information, contact the Florida Keys SPCA at 305-294-4857 or [email protected].

Together, we're making preventive care accessible and building a healthier community—one pet at a time!

Monroe County and Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park invite residents and visitors to celebrate America’s 2...
09/01/2026

Monroe County and Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park invite residents and visitors to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in true Florida Keys style at the America 250 Florida Keys Pennekamp Paddle Day on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.

Thanks to Florida State Parks, park admission will be free, giving the community an opportunity to enjoy one of the Florida Keys’ most treasured natural resources as part of the yearlong America 250 Florida Keys celebration. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event will feature:
• A Progressive Red, White, & Blue Paddleboard and Kayak Parade through the mangrove trail – kayaks and paddleboards provided
• Glass-bottom boat experiences (first come, first served)
• Snorkeling Experiences (fins and mask included; must buy or bring your own snorkel) (first come, first served)
• Hot dogs, chips, and a soda plus chocolate-dipped Key Lime Pie
• Live entertainment from local musicians
• Interactive activities from community partners

“America’s 250th birthday gives us a unique opportunity to celebrate our nation and our state's history throughout 2026, including the places, people, and experiences that make the Florida Keys so special,” said Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln. “This event brings our celebration to an incredible park and gives our community members a chance to be hands-on with our natural history.”

Pennekamp is known as the nation’s first undersea park and is home to mangrove forests, tropical hammocks, seagrass beds, and coral reefs.

“We are proud to welcome the community to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for this special America 250 Florida Keys celebration,” said Ann Helmers, president of the Friends group. “Pennekamp is an important part of our local history and identity, and there is no better place to celebrate than Pennekamp, a world-renowned destination and one of the Florida Keys’ most cherished treasures.”

The event is part of America 250 Florida Keys, which is Monroe County and the Tourist Development Council’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Events are being planned to highlight the islands’ history, culture, natural resources, and community spirit. On Oct. 10, a sunset celebration will be held at the Old 7-Mile Bridge in Marathon, and events in Big Pine Key and Islamorada are being planned for November.

More information and event updates will be available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/250.

09/01/2026

‼ SCAMMERS CONTINUE TO TARGET COUNTY BUILDING AND PLANNING APPLICANTS ‼

Monroe County is reminding residents and business owners to watch for a scam where an invoice appears to be from the Monroe County Building Department, Monroe County Planning Department, or Monroe County Planning Commission.

Monroe County and the Monroe County Planning Commission will NEVER ask anyone to make wire transfers to pay building permit fees.

The county will never send emails requesting anything related to wire transfer instructions. We will not ask for wire transfers, and we will never tell you that we can only communicate via email to ensure proper documentation, auditing, and inclusion on the Planning Commission’s agenda for review and discussion.

If you are ever in doubt, please call us at the numbers listed on the county’s website to verify any information: www.monroecounty-fl.gov. Do not open attachments or respond to emails or numbers listed in suspicious requests. Monroe County only sends emails that have this ending: ###@monroecounty-fl.gov or ###@monroecounty-fl.org.

Another 640 pounds of debris has been removed from conservation lands in Key Largo through the ongoing partnership betwe...
09/01/2026

Another 640 pounds of debris has been removed from conservation lands in Key Largo through the ongoing partnership between the Monroe County Land Authority and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

The latest cleanup targeted an illegal encampment located deep within a hardwood hammock, requiring crews to carry debris a considerable distance through the forest for removal. While the site contained less material than some previous cleanups, crews faced challenging conditions, including heat, humidity, and mosquitoes.

With the latest removal, the cleanups have now removed a cumulative 32,960 pounds of debris from conservation lands in the Upper Keys. Monroe County Solid Waste helps remove the bulk items that are collected.

“These cleanups take a tremendous amount of physical effort, especially when sites are located far into the conservation areas,” said Assistant Land Steward Lawrence Lopez. “Every cleanup helps restore these sensitive hardwood hammocks while also improving conditions for the surrounding community.”

If you see illegal dumping in action, call 9-1-1 to report the activity while it is in progress. It is a felony to dump household appliances, construction materials, boats, trailers, RVs, and vegetative debris on county-owned vacant land and county rights-of-way and streets.

To report illegal dumping that is not actively in progress, call the most appropriate Monroe County Sheriff substation for the area.

For bulk curbside collection, call the provider listed for your area. Provider contact information is available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/solidwaste.

Monroe County Employee Services hosts an annual wellness fair for employees of the Board of County Commissioners, Court ...
08/27/2026

Monroe County Employee Services hosts an annual wellness fair for employees of the Board of County Commissioners, Court Administration, Monroe County Land Authority, Monroe County Property Appraiser, and Monroe County Clerk of the Court.

Employees receive preventive health and biometric screenings, explore interactive exhibits, and meet with health care providers and community partners serving the Florida Keys.

This year, Mayor Michelle Lincoln and Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein joined the activities by pedaling a smoothie bicycle to blend beet and fruit drinks for attendees. Staff from Veterans Affairs, Social Services, Recycling, and other county departments also hosted informational tables.

“Preventive screenings offered at these fairs have identified several serious health conditions among our employees in the past,” said Monroe County Employee Services Director Bryan Cook. “Early detection can be lifesaving.”

The annual wellness fair is held at locations in Key West, Marathon, and Key Largo, making the event accessible to county employees throughout the Florida Keys.

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