Monroe County has several major projects and community events on the calendar, including the groundbreaking for a new Sugarloaf Fire Station, an upcoming 9/11 memorial exhibit and a major roadway and stormwater improvement project in Key West.
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 groundbreaking for the new Sugarloaf Fire Station is scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m., with the public invited to attend.
Lincoln said the project has been years in the making, following an extended period of litigation and planning.
“Within 24 hours, it was completely demolished. They got it all out of there, and we are doing our groundbreaking for the new fire station this coming Monday at two in the afternoon,” Lincoln said.
The county has been assured the new station will be completed within 18 months.
Lincoln said officials also made sure the new facility would include a community room.
“So I think this is a win-win all around, and really excited about that groundbreaking on Monday at 2 p.m.,” she said.
Lincoln also discussed an upcoming county commission meeting, which will be held Tuesday instead of the usual Wednesday schedule.
One of the first items will recognize Judge Mark Jones, who is retiring after a lengthy career serving Monroe County. Commissioners will present Jones with a proclamation honoring his service.
Lincoln said Jones has been “such a force in our county for so many years.”
Following the recognition, Jones will administer the oath of office to David Rice and Lincoln as they begin their new four-year terms.
Another agenda item will involve a presentation and discussion about Tourist Development Council tax revenue, including how the funds can be used and what projects should receive priority.
Lincoln said the county is looking at ways to use tourist development tax revenue creatively while remaining within Florida law, particularly following the passage of Amendment 3.
The commission will also receive an update on proposed mooring ball installations at Man O War Harbor and Boca Chica Harbor and the Mooring Field.
Lincoln said the project has been approximately four years in the making. Establishing the mooring balls is an important step toward implementing the county’s 90-day vessel law.
Another major event coming to the Florida Keys is the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Never Forget mobile exhibit, which will travel throughout Monroe County as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary commemorations.
The exhibit will begin at Founders Park in Islamorada before traveling to Big Pine Key and then Key West. The program includes appearances by the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team and a patriotic drone show.
Lincoln said bringing the exhibit to the county represents an important opportunity to educate younger generations about the September 11 attacks.
“There are children in school right now who don’t even know, weren’t alive, and for us to keep this memory fresh, all the middle school children will be in attendance to see the mobile unit,” she said.
Lincoln thanked John Hodge and Nicole Gerrard of Big Pine, along with county staff members and other community partners, for helping coordinate the visit.
Hodge is involved with the Tunnel to Towers organization. Lincoln noted that Big Pine has hosted an annual Tunnel to Towers run in honor of firefighter Herve Thomas.
She said having the mobile exhibit in Monroe County for nearly a week is a significant opportunity.
“It’s just remarkable, and I just can’t thank John Hodge and Nicole Gerrard and our county staff for all the work they have been doing for months to get this to be here and to get all the pieces in place,” Lincoln said.
The county is also moving forward with a major roadway and stormwater improvement project along Flagler Avenue in Key West.
The road is county-owned, and the project is expected to address drainage problems, flooding and the roadway’s vulnerability to future storms and rising water.
The project has secured more than $22 million in Florida Department of Environmental Protection Resilient Florida grant funding, along with approximately $60 million in federal grant funding.
Lincoln acknowledged that construction will create temporary challenges for residents and businesses along Flagler Avenue but said the long-term improvements will provide significant relief.
“It will be a major pain while the construction is happening. But then afterwards, it will bring huge relief to the residents and the businesses and the community on Flagler,” she said.
She credited county engineer Judy Clarke and the county’s resiliency team for their work securing funding and advancing the project.
Lincoln also pointed out that grant funding represents a substantial portion of the county’s overall budget.
“Sometimes people say, ‘Oh my gosh, their budget is so huge.’ Well, that $90 million is in our budget, so not all of our budget numbers come from ad valorem taxes or come from our county,” she said. “It comes from the grants that our team is so successful in obtaining.”
Lincoln also reflected on her service as Monroe County mayor, a role she is completing as she continues serving as District Two county commissioner.
She recently completed a year as president of the Florida Association of Counties and will remain on its executive board for another year.
She has also been asked to help lead a new statewide training program for newly elected county commissioners.
The program will serve as a boot camp to help incoming commissioners learn about their responsibilities and navigate county government.
Lincoln said she is looking forward to the opportunity to mentor new commissioners, something she also does through Take Stock in Children.
She recently began mentoring a sixth-grade student and said she is excited about following the student’s progress throughout the school years.
“I think I probably get more out of it sometimes than the children I mentor because it keeps you young,” Lincoln said. “It lets you feel the pulse of the school, and it’s such a great program.”
Lincoln also recently participated in a ceremony welcoming four new Monroe County firefighters.
She said the badge-pinning ceremonies are particularly meaningful because they bring together the new firefighters and their families to celebrate the completion of training and the start of their careers.
“They come with their families. There’s always babies and children and parents and grandparents, and how proud everyone is of their person who’s up there getting pinned,” she said.
Lincoln added that the county has now reached its target staffing level for firefighters.
As she prepares to turn over the mayor’s role to David Rice, Lincoln said serving as mayor has been an honor.
“It’s been an honor to be the mayor, and it’s always a fun year,” she said. “A little more meetings, a little more on having to be places. But I love it.”