HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem D11 D11
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE Mayor James K.Scholl,District 3
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern Michelle Lincoln,District 2
Craig Cates,District 1
David Rice,District 4
Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
September 10, 2025
Agenda Item Number: D11
2023-4492
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Tourist Development Council
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Christine Limbert-Barrows or Kara
No Franker
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of Resolution authorizing the use of Tourist Development
Tax Revenues to fund the FY 2026 Old Seven Mile Bridge Maintenance and Capital Outlay.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
The Old Seven Mile Bridge is a highly visible tourism asset and a celebrated symbol of the Florida
Keys experience. Its preservation enhances the visitor experience, supports scenic viewing, cycling, and
walking opportunities and contributes to the overall appeal of the region as a premier destination.
Recognizing the bridge's vital role in sustaining and enhancing tourism in the Florida Keys, and in light
of current County budget constraints, the Tourist Development Council (TDC), at its July 29, 2025,
meeting voted to approve to cover the one-year funding commitment towards the bridge's maintenance
and capital improvement needs using tourist development tax revenues.
The resolution by the BOCC authorizes that tourist development tax revenues be allocated for the Old
Seven Mile Bridge Maintenance and Capital Outlay, and finds that supporting and expending tourist
development tax revenues for this purpose promotes tourism and is otherwise permissible and
authorized in accordance with F.S. 125.0104(5).
The Resolution authorizes the allocation of tourist development tax revenues in the amount of$562,655
for the Old Seven Mile Bridge Maintenance and Capital Outlay and directs staff to include such
allocation of the tourist development tax funds in the upcoming FY 2026 Budget.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
3640
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
Resolution to fund 7-mile bridge.pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
TDT funds in the amount of$562,655 will be allocated for FY 2026 Old Seven Mile Bridge
Maintenance and Capital Outlay.
3641
RESOLUTION NO. -2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA TO AUTHORIZE THE
USE OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAX
REVENUES TO FUND THE FY 2026 OLD
SEVEN MILE BRIDGE MAINTENANCE AND
CAPITAL OUTLAY
WHEREAS,the Old Seven Mile Bridge, completed in 1912 was known as the "Eighth
Wonder of the World" due to its engineering marvel, incredible scale and its natural beauty as it
connects islands and spans over open water providing panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean
and Gulf of America; and
WHEREAS,the Old Seven Mile Bridge is now listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, the historic 2.2-mile section of Henery Flagler's original Florida East Coast
Railway's Overseas Railroad serves as a significant landmark,providing access to Pigeon Key
and offering a protected open space for recreational activities; and
WHEREAS, the Old Seven Mile Bridge is a highly visible tourism asset and a celebrated
symbol of the Florida Keys experience. Its preservation enhances the visitor experience, supports
scenic viewing, cycling, and walking opportunities and contributes to the overall appeal of the
region as a premier destination; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the bridge's vital role in sustaining and enhancing tourism in
the Florida Keys, and in light of current County budget constraints, the Tourist Development
Council, at its July 29, 2025, meeting voted to approve to cover the one-year funding
commitment towards the bridge's maintenance and capital improvement needs using tourist
development tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) hereby
authorizes that tourist development tax revenues be allocated for the Old Seven Mile Bridge
Maintenance and Capital Outlay, and finds that supporting and expending tourist development
tax revenues for this purpose promotes tourism and is otherwise permissible and authorized in
accordance with F.S. 125.0104(5);
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows:
1. The BOCC hereby authorizes the allocation of tourist development tax revenues in the
amount of$562,655 for the Old Seven Mile Bridge Maintenance and Capital Outlay.
2. The BOCC directs staff to include such allocation of the tourist development tax funds in
the upcoming FY 2026 Budget.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a meeting of said Board held on the 10th day of September 2025.
i
3642
Mayor James K. Scholl,District 3
Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lincoln, District 2
Commissioner Craig Cates, District 1
Commissioner David Rice, District 4
Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein, District 5
(SEAL) BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF
Attest: KEVIN MADOK, CLERK MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY: BY:
As Deputy Clerk Mayor
MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY
APPROVED AS TO FORM
HRtSTINE LIMSERT-BARROWS
SR.ASSISTANT g?yg)yrORNEY
DATE:
3643