Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the county.
The county is beginning to explore a long-term plan to consolidate several government services on Big Pine Key while also preparing for additional budget challenges and a busy slate of community events.
A potential government complex on Big Pine Key could be in the future.
Lincoln said the county currently rents considerable space in the Winn-Dixie shopping plaza for county operations, including the tax collector’s office and permitting department. Her commission office was also located there for a time, and the community center, formerly the senior center, is currently being used in the shopping center as well.
Across the way, near the fire station and the site of the former senior center, is a parcel of state-owned property that is expected to become available.
Lincoln said the county is considering purchasing that property.
If the county is able to acquire it, she said the property could create what would essentially be a larger, centralized Big Pine government complex.
The proposed complex could include the tax collector’s office, a commissioner’s office, the community center or senior center, permitting services and potentially enough space for a library.
Lincoln emphasized that the proposal is still in its very early stages and could be years away from becoming reality.
“This is still many years away, but we want to start the discussions now to see if we can’t get things moving in this direction,” she said.
The county is also interested in the potential financial benefits of owning its facilities rather than continuing to lease them.
Lincoln said the county’s rental costs for facilities come from ad valorem tax revenue. If the county owns the property and constructs its own buildings, those expenses would instead come from the general fund, which is supported by sales tax revenue.
Lincoln noted that approximately 60% of Monroe County’s sales tax revenue comes from visitors.
She said that makes the proposal one way for visitors to help offset the cost of facilities and services that the county is required to provide.
“We have to have a tax collector’s office. We have to have a community center. We need a place for permitting,” Lincoln said.
She said bringing those operations together could save money on property taxes while also making services more convenient for residents.
Lincoln also pointed to potential federal funding that could help with the project.
She said U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez previously sought approximately $3 million in funding for the former senior center site to help with rebuilding.
That means there are already potential grants and commitments that could be available as the county examines its options.
Lincoln said the proposal will be discussed at the upcoming Monroe County Commission meeting Oct. 21 in Marathon.
The county’s calendar also lists an Oct. 20 tax reform workshop and informational session in Marathon, followed by the regular commission meeting Oct. 21.
Lincoln said she also plans to schedule a separate community meeting on Big Pine. She wants residents to have an opportunity to discuss the proposal, ask questions and offer their opinions before the county moves any further.
“I definitely want the input from the Big Pine community,” Lincoln said.
She encouraged residents to attend the October commission meeting, either in person or through Zoom, and to participate in the future Big Pine community meeting.
The county also recently finalized the budget and preparations for the next fiscal year.
The budget discussed during the interview had been proposed at approximately $695.8 million. The county subsequently finalized a FY27 budget of about $690.2 million while maintaining the countywide millage rate at 2.6929. The county says that rate is likely to remain the lowest countywide millage rate in Florida.
Lincoln said commissioners worked to make necessary cuts without compromising public safety.
“Without compromising on our safety of our residents, which was, I think, paramount in everyone’s mind this year,” she said.
But she said county officials are already looking ahead to the next round of reductions.
Lincoln said she recently spent four hours in a meeting with county staff examining where additional cuts could be made.
A new state requirement calls for local governments to conduct a 10% budget reduction exercise as they prepare their next budgets.
“We’re already working on it,” Lincoln said. “We’re already looking at ways in which we can be more efficient.”
She said the county will have to determine which services it wants to maintain and how those services can be funded.
Lincoln also praised Monroe County employees, saying the commissioners represent only a small portion of the people required to operate the county.
She pointed to employees in the building, permitting and planning departments, fleet management, roads, public works, parks, libraries and human services.
“I just don’t think people understand that until they dive into it,” Lincoln said. “And it takes talented, dedicated staff members.”
She said Monroe County is fortunate to have the quality of employees it does.
The county’s budget documents similarly emphasize maintaining core services and public safety while looking for greater government efficiency.
Lincoln also discussed the current makeup of the Monroe County Commission and what she described as a strong working relationship among commissioners.
She said residents frequently approach her and say they believe the current commission is one of the best-functioning commissions they have seen.
Lincoln acknowledged that commissioners do not always agree, but said they maintain respect for one another even when debates become heated.
She said the commissioners bring very different backgrounds and areas of expertise to the dais.
Lincoln pointed to Commissioner Jim Scholl’s military background, Craig Cates’ history in Key West, Commissioner David Rice’s historical knowledge and background as a psychologist, and Commissioner Holly Raschein’s experience with the state of Florida.
She said each commissioner brings a different perspective to discussions.
“One of my models has always been when you step on the dais, you put your ego down, you move it aside,” Lincoln said.
She said commissioners need to remain open to what their fellow commissioners, county staff and members of the public have to say before making decisions.
“You have to be open-minded to not just what your other commissioners are saying and what staff is saying to you, but what the people in the community are saying,” she said.
Lincoln said that willingness to listen is one of the reasons she believes the current commission is strong.
Lincoln also discussed Hurricane Isaias and the threat posed by the storm to Florida’s Panhandle.
Although the storm was not expected to directly impact the Keys, Lincoln urged residents not to become complacent.
She said residents should continue to have their preparations and emergency supplies ready.
“We’re not out of the thick of it yet,” Lincoln said.
She said county officials remain prepared to provide information and assistance and are continuing to monitor the situation.
Lincoln also said she remains in communication with officials elsewhere in Florida as they prepare for the storm.
She recently completed her term as president of the Florida Association of Counties. She now serves as the organization’s immediate past president and remains on its executive board for another year.
Lincoln said serving as president required considerable time, travel and work, but she enjoyed the experience.
The association’s executive board includes five members representing different areas of Florida.
She said members are currently communicating about the storm and are prepared to help communities after it passes.
“We’re all here and ready to help after the storm passes for the people who are in its path,” Lincoln said.
Lincoln also highlighted several upcoming community events.
Monroe County and the Tourism Development Council, along with the City of Marathon, are continuing events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
One of those events is planned for Saturday, Oct. 10, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Lincoln said the event will recreate the spirit of the original Old Seven Mile Bridge party as part of the county’s semiquincentennial celebration.
She described the event as free and encouraged residents to attend.
Lincoln also noted several other activities taking place throughout the community.
The local high school was preparing for its homecoming parade, while Big Pine was preparing for its annual haunted house hosted by the Big Pine Rotary.
The haunted house has expanded to run Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Lincoln said she is looking forward to participating.
She also noted that the Keys’ traditionally quieter season has been unusually busy, with her calendar filled with events almost every weekend even though the winter visitors have not yet returned.
“It’s amazing,” Lincoln said. “It used to be this was the quiet season, and my calendar is overflowing with events every weekend.”
Amendment 3 is scheduled to be decided by voters.
She said the county will work with whatever decision voters make.
She encouraged residents to participate in the election and research the candidates and amendment questions before voting.
“Everyone needs to get out and vote and go vote with education,” Lincoln said. “Do your research on all the candidates, on all the amendment issues, and please vote.”
The potential effects of Amendment 3 have been a significant issue for Monroe County officials. Current county analysis indicates the proposal could affect local revenues and the funding available for government services, although the exact impact depends on the final tax values and implementation.
Lincoln said the county will continue preparing for whatever voters ultimately decide.
For now, she said the county’s focus remains on maintaining essential services, controlling costs, preparing for future financial challenges and listening to residents as new projects—including the potential Big Pine government complex—are considered.