Federal lobbyist says Islamorada poised for FQUIP funding; mayor raises idea of internal transit pilot

Jim Davenport of Thorn Run Partners told the council the village should receive FY26 funding for the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Program (FQUIP) this summer after Congress allocated about $5.6 million to the program in the FY26 appropriations. He said the village will receive most of that allocation for permitted work under existing interlocal agreements and that the FY27 congressional request process is active with about $6 million sought for FQUIP.

Davenport noted delays are common in the appropriations process: “The money is always late. You should be getting it sometime this summer,” he said, adding the village will participate in a core meeting on invoicing and allocation. He also reported a recent development that could affect FY27: “We secured an additional 4.3 million for FQUIP in FY27,” though he cautioned the total remains contingent on final congressional action.

Mayor Don Horton used the opportunity to describe a separate conversation with a member of Congress about testing an internal transit pilot to reduce trips on US‑1, suggesting a congressionally directed spending request or Federal Transit Administration (FTA) support might be options. Davenport said Thorn Run Partners can work with the village and the congressman’s office on feasibility and potential funding paths.

Davenport also flagged proposed Office of Management and Budget rules that could change grant terms and oversight for federal grants, including potential new conditions on diversity, equity and inclusion policies and broader grant‑termination authority for political appointees; the proposal remains at the rule stage.

Next steps: staff and lobbyist will coordinate next steps on invoicing for FY26 funds, follow FY27 appropriations, and explore feasibility of a vehicle‑based internal transit pilot with the congressman’s office and FTA contacts.