Craig Cates, Mayor of Monroe County, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s been happening in the county.
This past year has been quite busy for Monroe County.
Cates said, “We did the ribbon cutting on the courthouse in the Upper Keys, which was very important to that area and they really appreciate it. It was a really good year for the county and the citizens of Monroe County. We look forward to an even better year this year.”
This is the bicentennial year for Monroe County, which will see a number of celebrations.
The budget for fiscal year 2023 is $519.7 million with the lowest property rate in Florida.
Cates said, “I’m happy that we were able to keep the millage rate down. The only issue there is our property values are so high. It’s great for sales and the economy, but it’s also difficult for locals to be able to purchase property. We’re like a victim of our own success. People want to move to the Keys – a wonderful place to live, beautiful weather and all, but then they’ll pay a premium to get here. It kind of makes it difficult for the locals to try to stay here. As the government, we can try to balance what we can do to help that, but fair market value of the property is what it is. We will continue in a positive direction.”
Affordable housing is always an issue in the Keys.
Cates said, “I want to work with the DACs and the board to try to come up with ideas and what they could afford to direct toward affordable housing. They understand the importance of affordable housing and our economy. There’s different ways to do it, but we’ve got to start talking about it and address this issue we have.”
Affordable housing affects so many aspects of the economy including tourism and local businesses.
The Cheryl Cates Foundation has done a lot in 2022 to help people.
Cates said, “They have been doing a lot of great things. They’ve been helping a lot of families and children. I’m very proud of my daughters and the whole board that’s worked so hard and the community that’s reached out and helped with this. It’s been amazing. What a wonderful community we live in. I’m very blessed to be here.”
The Rate of Growth Ordinance units are definitely going to be in the news in 2023.
Cates said, “It’s complicated and we need input from the citizens. The county took the position as we will be involved in it, monitoring it and not make any decisions one way or the other until we see what is asked for and what the state offers. We’ll make that decision at that time, but we’re monitoring it very closely.”
The migrant issue in Monroe County continues to be an issue.
Cates said, “I’m bringing a resolution forward at our next meeting to officially request Washington and our Senator and our Congressman to help us in the Keys with this issue. Although our Senator and Congressman have already spoken up. They are asking for support for this and the governor is also sending resources to the Keys to help with this issue. Everybody is trying to do what they can do. We’re officially helping for support in Washington.”
The impact includes derelict vessel coming assure as well as the people. The Sheriff’s Department and Coast Guard see a real effect.
Cates said, “The migrants are taken by border protection, picked up when they have enough resources to pick them up. They take them to other processing areas and process them and release them. If they’re released, they’re released in those communities, so we don’t have the impact of so many people here, but it’s impacting those communities up there also. We all need some assistance and some help as we deal with this crisis. We know those people just want a better life and they risk their life to cross and we respect that, but it also makes a huge impact on our community and the United States.”
Cates is very proud of his family history in the Keys.
He said, “I recently got some information from my aunt that she had that I never knew. My great grandmother and my great great grandmother were born on Windley Key in the Keys. Not many people can say that. It’s a great history here and I’m very happy to be part of it.”