[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6476887,"mediaKeyId","5716069-1a046cc84ba09e8ba9aa40275867e5a6","parentId",5716069,"title","Monroe County adopts FY2026 tentative budget, raises millage and trims county size; nonprofits face funding cuts","audioSeconds",4646,"startMs",1064000,"endMs",5710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716069-1a046cc84ba09e8ba9aa40275867e5a6&start=1064&end=5710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716069-1a046cc84ba09e8ba9aa40275867e5a6/thumbnail_1064000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476887/Monroe-County/Florida/Monroe-County-adopts-FY2026-tentative-budget-raises-millage-and-trims-county-size-nonprofits-face-funding-cuts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476887-fb47ee5ec4bfabd638e1588abaa94052/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922484&Signature=Go2-cFS-IgV39yL6XKSuRmHKTK-T~5oS-PVp11rb8P~kUSSEDlBx2u0L2YM1Rr14HWOHP~16Z1rbb2bzlPnq8CzcthoasM8~aprz9UadpUEIdPsDCRtRrM8l4Ggbh5njrtk~l8vckG6IBkIe38jvax5ca3uPPibKnRHcFQeYnlpFNadQL3PKr2cy5j7nquEMZ7wego0tRAAZK-3uXjx5oBFfq2TCc1xeEO0weW8tQ7W7RobuqSOIMG-Xps3wNIiYUsruzeN0MajZ9~Uf2lbn6CSzLUua6CKrJwImJ~--4DuCAvCd7drvyT072~Rf3PF7yYeLEwPM5GzjzXyrJ7jNQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe County","date","2025-09-03T00:00:00Z","article","Monroe County commissioners adopted a tentative FY2026 budget and tentative millage rates on Wednesday after a lengthy presentation and public comment period that focused on state oversight of local spending and steep cuts to nonprofit grant funding.

County budget staff presented the tentative FY2026 figures and said the county faces an uncertain near term because of a state initiative to review local government spending. \"The teeth that the bill had was if the executive office of the governor finds that a local government is not participating with them, they can fine that local government $1,000 a day,\" County Administrator Christine Hurley told the commission while outlining the governor's executive order and subsequent data requests from the governor's office.

John Quinn, the county budget presenter, said the FY2026 tentative budget reflects a year‑over‑year reduction driven by capital spending and tourist development dollars being shifted to the capital plan; he and staff summarized the tentative countywide ad valorem levy as approximately $170.8 million and noted an aggregate tentative millage rate of 3.3965. The countywide millage rate was set at 2.7327, an increase the county said is intended to increase emergency reserves; staff said that increase and other reductions will raise the county’s emergency reserves from $10 million to $14 million.

The tentative budget reduces county staffing by 45.32 full‑time equivalents, according to the presentation, and implements three levels of cuts the county began considering earlier in the summer. Staff said the savings will help absorb contractually required compensation and insurance increases for public‑safety personnel while preserving funding for law enforcement, fire and EMS.

Budget staff also flagged federal changes that could reduce FEMA reimbursement rates and increase local cost shares for disaster recovery. \"We just need to be prepared that we could be heading into a new reality where fewer storms qualify for federal aid,\" Lisa Tennyson, director of legislative affairs, told the commission in a FEMA briefing included in the budget packet.

A central theme of the meeting was how to balance building reserves against continuing grant funding to local nonprofits. Staff told the commission the FY2026 tentative budget reduces the county’s funding for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and that the change aligns with priorities staff said they were given to respond to state direction. Commissioners debated whether to hold more money in reserve or to restore some nonprofit funding and discussed a possible midyear re‑appropriation pending clearer guidance from Tallahassee. A proposed motion to set aside an additional portion of the tentative increase in reserves as a conditional operational reserve for nonprofits was defeated on a roll call; the budget was later approved as presented.

Public testimony at the hearing included representatives of many human‑services organizations. Jay Good, identifying himself as a long‑time county resident, said: \"Many of the services funded through HSAB — food security, mental health care, elder services — are essential to the health and stability of this community.\" Mary Stella, vice chair of the Human Services Advisory Board, urged restoration of grant funds and said HSAB’s grant review process had shown a persistent need for services countywide. Sherry Schwab, executive director of the county’s domestic‑violence shelter, said her organization runs outreach offices in Key Largo, Marathon and Key West and that, \"the county is not ever gonna be able to provide the services that we provide.\"

Diana Flennard of the Monroe Association of Remarkable Citizens said local nonprofits leverage federal, state and philanthropic funds and reported that MARC’s original $200,000 HSAB allocation produced more than $2 million in matching and related funds. Isabella McClain of Planning with Love asked the commission to restore at least 20% of funding cut in earlier rounds to preserve resilience and recovery capacity.

On the board’s actions: after discussion and several motions, the commission approved the tentative millage rates and the tentative budget. A roll call on adoption of the tentative budget recorded a majority in favor. The county will hold a final public hearing to adopt the final budget and millage rates on Sept. 10 at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo.

The budget packet and the presentation list capital maintenance projects, airport and bridge work funded from enterprise funds, and shifted $35 million in tourist development surplus to capital projects targeted for private‑sector affordable housing in future years. Staff said the tentative general‑fund ending balance is projected to be about $49 million, equivalent to roughly 5.1 months of operating reserves.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monroe County - Budget Meeting September 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Monroe County commissioners adopted a tentative FY2026 budget and tentative millage rates after a public hearing that centered on rising state oversight, proposed reductions to nonprofit grants and an increase in county emergency reserves.","taxTitle","Monroe County, Florida","taxId",4001,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476892,"Monroe County approves agreement transferring social‑services transport to Guidance Care Center",370,687000,1057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716069-1a046cc84ba09e8ba9aa40275867e5a6&start=687&end=1057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716069-1a046cc84ba09e8ba9aa40275867e5a6/thumbnail_687000.jpg","/articles/6476892/Monroe-County/Florida/Monroe-County-approves-agreement-transferring-socialservices-transport-to-Guidance-Care-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476892-64a4dc576af7fa44be5362134242eef6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922484&Signature=QifdXvrtQoFuDpMR4sKAs0sqFlLRvcfa00zI8~f~DHttCTD45la1SKN8x42xT1UTycIIhUmUu~J~LJeclcMMcIoE5vmasCmGXWUmghAiqPU1EKzSOqVk1S-NAS~9cvdl1ejSkG6Cj4NiR12C0oDQB1QGH~MCzVKdy7VSrAOmUc~7X8HI6i4OB0UPjydR5umvG~a7SFgtDl8Y3dbQ5M5SQfs3FYM6y9qBzlXQ29UlmaChSz42aAoO7rthWtDtHKBLNdXuY9BjtwhSKFhz2GZFlkM8CfmwB-4WQDMzwyhbp0Mzc3HJCpYXnO69rUg-RErM72EPHvScOPidz6KNxfIcVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe County commissioners on Wednesday approved an agreement designating Guidance Care Center (GCC) as the community transportation coordinator for the county's state‑mandated transportation programs for disadvantaged residents, including a Social Services Transportation Disadvantaged program that had been run directly by Monroe County Social Services.

County staff said the change will not alter services or schedules. \"None of the offerings under the program as it is under social services are going to change,\" a county staff presenter told the commission, adding the program will continue to operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will keep providing rides to medical appointments, Department of Health offices, social‑services meal sites and grocery stores.

The agreement bundles several program lines into one FY2026 contract. County staff listed program amounts in the meeting materials; the printed contract total was noted as $842,693 (the clerk later confirmed the agenda had transposed two digits). The presenter said Social Services will continue to make referrals to GCC; GCC will begin accepting applications on the 22nd of the month and the transfer is intended to be effective Oct. 1.

Commissioners called for a roll call before voting. The final roll call on the motion recorded four yes votes and one abstention: Commissioner Cates — yes; Commissioner Lincoln — yes; Commissioner Rashid — yes; Commissioner Rice — abstain; Mayor Scholl — yes. The motion passed.

Supporters at the meeting and the agreement backer highlighted the program’s local role. Maureen, identified at the meeting as the GCC lead, was present and thanked by commissioners.

The county presentation and the agreement materials emphasize continuity of service and an intake/referral model in which Social Services will continue to screen candidates and refer eligible riders to GCC.

The commission did not change program hours, eligibility standards, or the county's role in intake at the meeting. The agreement will appear in the FY2026 budget and be administered under the county’s Community Transportation Coordinator responsibilities.","The county approved a fiscal‑year 2026 agreement naming Guidance Care Center the Community Transportation Coordinator for several disadvantaged transportation programs; county staff said daily service levels will not change and Social Services will continue to make referrals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6476882,"County staff to continue talks on conveying Higgs Beach and West Martello Tower to Key West; Garden Club seeks better communication",210,5592000,5802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5716069-1a046cc84ba09e8ba9aa40275867e5a6&start=5592&end=5802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5716069-1a046cc84ba09e8ba9aa40275867e5a6/thumbnail_5592000.jpg","/articles/6476882/Monroe-County/Florida/County-staff-to-continue-talks-on-conveying-Higgs-Beach-and-West-Martello-Tower-to-Key-West-Garden-Club-seeks-better-communication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476882-f12476791fc07c472d3ad074129e1419/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922484&Signature=jS~O1aCBjMuua7XEj3imxcQwUnMAfqO3jXro~j7XPZNDl9d-389L3L-F7VvdjxfVIrmGVbUVPvppDBvIOu-ZPQKBYSplRfvIkOmQxiVzg98of~dODJZ~oVLF8Z9h7f9xaDamgYIneKKVsj0UBz5YNHVOnrA4KCBbdLwYyeQgIn~nEx0kpkzaAZXZTno79ellAbYhcTl-Ulb2C0XJVTm5NqzGYk-yZgGSp74ch1D4xzZ66T9y95mtkzbcVJfSfcWHFPrvbsf9Yw7UhcblMPIclKKLVD9rprl5fPBonsxbV2C3ARh7-XK2XLrQST4q5dgSvip5II9F77G2qr9bFo7jeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe County staff told commissioners Wednesday they have continued discussions with City of Key West officials about conveying ownership and management of Higgs Beach and West Martello Tower to the city and that staff should continue to negotiate details and complete a cost‑benefit analysis.

County staff said Key West staff met with their commission and gave a preliminary nod to continue negotiating terms; staff asked the county commission whether to proceed with the work. \"We're working right now to evaluate all the different grants rebuild certain facilities in that park,\" the county speaker told the commission, noting a number of grants and interlocal pieces that would need to be reconciled before any final transfer.

Mary Olson, president of the Key West Garden Club, told the commission the club has been the volunteer caretaker of West Martello Tower for many years and that volunteers are \"not against this conversation.\" Olson asked for better communications and to be included in future discussions; county staff responded that they would keep the Garden Club informed as negotiations proceed.

No formal vote or conveyance was taken Wednesday. Staff said the proposal will return to the commission for formal approval if and when a transfer agreement is completed.","County staff said they will keep working with the City of Key West on a potential conveyance of Higgs Beach and West Martello Tower; Key West Garden Club, which maintains the site, said it supports the conversation but asked to be kept informed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Monroe County adopts FY2026 tentative budget, raises millage and trims county size; nonprofits face funding cuts

Monroe County approves agreement transferring social‑services transport to Guidance Care Center

County staff to continue talks on conveying Higgs Beach and West Martello Tower to Key West; Garden Club seeks better communication