The Monroe County government has proposed a series of changes to its voting districts and jurisdiction boundary lines for the County Commission seats and will discuss them at their next
Monroe County government attorneys plan to draft an amendment to the countyâs code to extend the life of local specialty licenses until 2023, because the state Legislature has preempted local government from issuing occupational licenses in the future.
Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 735, which preempts local governments from issuing occupations licenses, into law. Monroe County officials wrote DeSantis a letter asking him to veto the bill because the county requires local licenses for such work as paving, house painting and tile work.
County officials are also concerned because the new lawâs impact on the construction industry in the Keys. The county estimated more than 300 people could lose their jobs or businesses because of the new law.
There is plenty of interest to preside over the judicial bench in Marathon, as 10 local attorneys have applied to replace retiring County Judge Ruth Becker.
Becker, who has served in the seat since 1990 and handles cases at the Marathon courthouse, will retire July 30.
Ten attorneys from throughout the Florida Keys with a wide-ranging backgrounds from criminal to civil law have applied.
Those who applied are Assistant County Attorney Neecie Skull, Dustin Hunter, Susan Klock, Key West City Commissioner Sam Kaufman, public defender Kevin McCarthy, former Mosquito Control District Commissioner Jack Bridges, Mary Balazs of the State Attorneyâs Office, Rob Strober, Holly Anne Aliprandi and James Morgan.