Resolution 157-2017RESOLUTION NO. 157 - 2017
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA IN SUPPORT OF THE EXPLORATION OF
A TOLL INTO THE FLORIDA KEYS FOR NON-
RESIDENTS TO OFFSET TOURIST IMPACT,
PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF WATER
QUALITY AND TO SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
INVESTMENT TO MITIGATE AGAINST RISING
SEA LEVEL.
WHEREAS, Monroe County and the Florida Keys is an extremely popular tourist
destination, with approximately 80% of visitors entering the Florida Keys by via U.S. Highway 1
I ; and
WHEREAS, the percent of those driving into the Florida Keys with a personal vehicle
has increased by 12.8% from 2015 to 2016 Z ; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's US -1 has earned an All- American Road Status; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County is home to two (2) National Parks, seven (7) Florida State
Parks (including Keys Overseas Heritage Trail), four (4) Wildlife Sanctuaries and a National
Marine Sanctuary; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County recognizes the importance of and supports maintaining a
quality destination to ensure and protect its environmental and economic health; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County has experienced a measurable increase in tidal flooding
and is considered ground zero for experiencing the destructive impacts of global climate change
and sea level rise; and
WHEREAS, at least 24 of the 27 bridges Monroe County maintains are scheduled for
repair or replacement within the next 10 years 3 ; and
WHEREAS, at least 22.5% of the Monroe County maintained roadways are rated as
"poor" or "very poor ", meaning these roadways have failed or are past their optimal point
requiring progressive rehabilitation 4 ; and
1 2016 TDC Visitor Profile Survey (January — December 2015/2016) (based on survey sample size 3600)
Z Ibid.
3 Bridge Assessment Report, Kisinger Campo & Associates, Corp., September 2014
4 Monroe County, Florida Pavement Management Analysis Report, IMS Infrastructure Services, February 2014
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WHEREAS, many of the bridges are the sole conduit for the fresh water lines from the
mainland aquifer; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County recognizes the vital importance of tourism to all
municipalities and unincorporated areas of the Florida Keys and believes tourists can contribute
to reserving the destination by alleviating the negative impacts of the vibrant tourist -based
economy; and
WHEREAS, tolls have been collected along the Overseas Highway twice in its history
(1927 ferry boat from No Name Key to Key West and the 1938 Lower Matecumbe); and
WHEREAS, since 1926 Monroe County has operated and continues to operate a toll on
Card Sound Road; and
WHEREAS, there is some precedent in Florida for using funds derived from tolls for
non - transportation purposes;
WHEREAS, the Village of Islamorada has adopted resolution 17- 04 -30, which asks the
four other municipalities in the Florida Keys and the County to jointly support a feasibility study
for establishing "US -1 toll lanes coming into the Florida Keys to assist in funding transportation
improvements, water quality improvements, and other pressing needs within the Florida Keys."
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
1. The Board supports the exploration of a feasibility study for
establishing toll lanes on U.S. 1 coming into the Florida Keys for non-
residents to offset tourist impacts, for the protection and improvement
of water quality, to support infrastructure investment as mitigation
against global climate change and sea level rise, and for other pressing
needs within the Florida Keys.
2. Staff is authorized to work with the municipalities and to expend
county resources in support of this endeavor.
5 See, e.g., F.S. 338.26(3)(b), entitled Alligator Alley Toll Road, which allows toll funds to be used for such
non - transportation related projects as water conveyance projects, sewer plant engineering design
plans, land acquisition, and other Everglades construction projects.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida at a regular meeting held on the 21 day of June, 2017.
Mayor George Neugent Yes
Mayor Pro Tem David Rice Yes
Commissioner Danny Kolhage Yes
Commissioner Heather Carruthers Yes
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Yes
MADOK, CLERK
BY:
Deputy Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY: A em y —z.
Mayor
; ATTO E
TO F M
Cowry I��ER' JR.
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