Leaders from Monroe County government, Keys municipalities, the school district, utilities and non-profit organizations communicated their legislative priorities for the year to State Rep. Jim Mooney and Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez at a Jan. 6 online meeting.
Florida Keys priorities expressed to newly-elected state officials for the 2021 session included appropriations of $20 million for water quality, $5 million for land acquisition, $750,000 for the vessel pump-out program, and support for wind insurance rate protection, vacation rental carve-outs and affordable housing. The Board of County Commissioners, at its Jan. 20 meeting, will further discuss county priorities at the federal and state level, said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi.
There were 102 new cases of COVID-19 cases in the Florida Keys on Thursday, bringing the Monroe County total to 4,529 cases, according to a news release from the Florida
Florida Keys municipalities experienced an overhaul of leadership this year in both appointed and elected positions.
In Marathon, Key Colony Beach and Islamorada, city and village managers left or were replaced, and several new elected officials were seated.
On Sept. 24, Key Colony Beach City Administrator Chris Moonis informed the city commission he would not seek a new contract. âWe wish him well and best of luck in his future endeavors,â Mayor John DeNeale said.
Moonis had served the city since November 2016. DeNeale, as mayor and as specified in the city charter, assumed the duties of city administrator until a replacement is hired by the commission and the search is ongoing.
County COVID cases pass 4,000 keysnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from keysnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
As the first doses of vaccine for COVID-19 were made available throughout the United States and Florida, the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County on Monday, Dec. 14, reported 69 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday, Dec. 11, including 22 in Key West.
Dr. Mark Whiteside, medical director for the local offices of the Health Department, said Monday despite the vaccine becoming available, there are still major concerns and urged caution.
âYou know, weâre at record levels, weâre breaking records every day, and this is not a good thing,â Whiteside said on U.S. 1 Radio. âI say over and over and over again, nowâs not the time to let your guard down. Now is the time to re-double your efforts to protect yourself, your family and the community.â