HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem C18 C18
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
December 10, 2025
Agenda Item Number: C 18
2023-4748
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Fire Rescue
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: R. L. Colina
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval to Advertise a Public Hearing to consider adoption of an
ordinance amending and repealing certain sections within the Monroe County Code of Ordinances in
order to remove outdated references to volunteer fire and ambulance departments that no longer provide
services to Monroe County.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
As a result of the shift in the delivery of essential fire rescue and life-saving services, Monroe County
Fire Rescue no longer requires services from volunteer fire and ambulance departments (non-profits) to
support its essential duties. Therefore, it is necessary to amend and repeal outdated language within the
Monroe County Code of Ordinances to be consistent with the current needs of the County.
If adopted, the proposed ordinance would amend the Monroe County Code of Ordinances by amending
Chapter 2, "Administration,"Article V, "Finance," Division 2, "Authorization for Specific
Appropriations or Expenditures,"by specifically repealing Section 2-262, "Volunteer ambulance
services," in its entirety. Additionally, the ordinance purports to amend Chapter 11, "Emergency
Management and Emergency Services,"by repealing in its entirety Article II, "Reimbursement of
Expenses to Fire/Rescue/Ambulances Districts and Organizations." Last, the ordinance purports to
amend Chapter 22, "Special Districts,"Article VI, "Other Municipal Service Taxing Units,"by
amending Section 22-129, "Fire and Ambulance District 1 created," specifically to repeal in its entirety
paragraph(k), therein.
Prior to BOCC consideration of this ordinance, County Staff seeks approval to advertise a Notice of
Intent to Consider Adoption of County Ordinance consistent with the requirements set forth in Section
125.66, Fla. Stat. (2025).
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
Since 1979, amendments to Section 2-262, MCCO, include Ord. No. 4-1974.
Since 1979, amendments to Sections 11-21 through 11-25, MCCO, include: Ord. No. 10-1982; Ord.
No. 10-1983; Ord. No. 26-1987; Ord. No. 44-1988; Ord. No. 13-1992; and Ord. No. 4-2002.
755
Recent amendments to Section 22-129, MCCO, include: Ord. No. 004-2022; Ord. No. 026-2023; and
Ord. No.004-2025.
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval.
DOCUMENTATION:
BACK—UP ORD_Repeal—of Outdated_
Volunteer FireD e epartment—CodSections(watermark).pdf
BACK—UP Business_lmpact Estimate—Ord—Amend Repeal—Vol—Fire—Amb—(l 1.20.25).pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
756
ORDINANCE NO. -2026
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
AMENDING THE COUNTY'S CODE OF ORDINANCES,BY
AMENDING CHAPTER 2,"ADMINISTRATION,"ARTICLE
V. "FINANCE," DIVISION 2, "AUTHORIZATION FOR
SPECIFIC APPROPRIATIONS OR EXPENDITURES," BY
REPEALING SECTION 2-262, "VOLUNTEER
AMBULANCE SERVICES;" AND BY AMENDING
CHAPTER 11, "EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND
EMERGENCY SERVICES," BY REPEALING IN ITS
ENTIRETY ARTICLE II, "REIMBURSEMENT OF
EXPENSES TO FIRE/RESCUE/AMBULANCES DISTRICTS
AND ORGANIZATIONS;"AND BY AMENDING CHAPTER
22, "SPECIAL DISTRICTS," ARTICLE VI, "OTHER
MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNITS," BY AMENDING
SECTION 22-129, "FIRE AND AMBULANCE DISTRICT 1
CREATED," TO REPEAL OUTDATED LANGUAGE
REGARDING VOLUNTEER FIRE AND AMBULANCE
DEPARTMENTS THAT NO LONGER PROVIDE SERVICES
TO MONROE COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR
CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL
AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, over several decades, Monroe County has evolved its organizational
structure to ensure the highest and best delivery of essential fire rescue and life-saving services
throughout the entire Florida Keys; and
WHEREAS, as early as the 1970s, fire rescue and emergency medical services were
provided by a variety of volunteer departments, including but not limited to those organized under
the following named non-profit organizations: Stock Island Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.; Big
Coppitt Volunteer Fire Department,Inc.; Sugarloaf Key Volunteer Fire Department,Inc.;Big Pine
Key Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.; Marathon Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc.; Conch Key
Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc.; Layton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.;
Islamorada Volunteer Fire, Ambulance and Rescue Corps, Inc.; Tavernier Volunteer Fire
Department and Ambulance Corps., Inc.; Key Largo Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.; and Key
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757
Largo Volunteer Ambulance, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, over the course of time, Monroe County has seen a shift in the delivery of
these services resulting from the incorporation of municipalities within the County, the formation
of an independent special district (to wit: Key Largo Fire and Emergency Medical Services
District), and the dissolution of former special municipal services districts; and
WHEREAS, the Monroe County Emergency Services Department, specifically through
Monroe County Fire Rescue (MCFR), has strengthened its mission to relentlessly protect and
preserve life by responding with speed, skill, and determination to every emergency; and
WHEREAS,MCFR not only fights fires, but also provides advanced life support medical
services, prevents emergencies through education, and ensures the highest level of care during
every rescue, with an unwavering focus on minimizing harm, maximizing survival, and
safeguarding the health and safety of Monroe County communities; and
WHEREAS, due to the changes in the landscape for services, Monroe County no longer
requires services from volunteer fire and ambulance departments (non-profits) to support its
essential duties; therefore, it is necessary to repeal outdated language within the Monroe County
Code of Ordinances to be consistent with the current needs of the County; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners hereby finds and determines that the
actions described herein serve the best interests of the residents, visitors, and business owners in
Monroe County, Florida.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1: Ratification. That the foregoing"WHEREAS"clauses are hereby ratified
and confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this ordinance.
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758
Section 2: Amendatory Language. That the Code of Ordinances of Monroe County,
Florida, shall be amended by amending Chapter 2, "Administration," Article V, "Finance,"
Division 2, "Authorization for Specific Appropriations or Expenditures," by repealing in its
entirety Section 2-262, "Volunteer ambulance services,"to read as follows:
Sec. 2-262. Res erved.Aloluntee- .,mb..'.,nee s
(b) Before a*y funds are e*pended tinder-t4e pr-evisions of this seetion, t4e e*pelldittfr-es fntfstbe
Section 3: Amendatory Lan2ua2e. That the Code of Ordinances of Monroe County,
Florida, shall be amended by amending Chapter 11, "Emergency Management and Emergency
Services," by repealing in its entirety Article II, "Reimbursement of Expenses to
Fire/Rescue/Ambulances Districts and Organizations,"to read as follows:
ARTICLE IL Reserved.REIAIBURSEAIENT OF EXPENSES TO
Sec. 11-21. Reserved.Findings of faet.
Sec. 11-22. Reserved.Per-so fie fi ffeetea.
her-einabove entifner-4ed btA who also work for-a*d oft behalf of t4e f9liew*
.;
.;
.;
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759
cGEWPS., 1*6.; Key Tmafg6 3,'E)1fff4eer Fie—PepaftMelit 1* R Key Tmafg6 1178-11-1i44ee£
AA,rrrxxvtila-ne�
Lar-ge Volunteer-Afnbt cerfespend to Fire and A fnbt 1.nee, Pist44et 6.
basis for-eaeh btidget year-based oft an agr-eefnent enter-ed inte by and between t4e e.
board of ee ;siefier-s as t4e goveming be4 ma-y also enter- into agr-eements W44
disability and death t,o„of;t; e for-t e t elti,tee
Sec. 11-23. Reserved. .
of t e ,r-espeetio, speeis 1 t.x ing distfiet-&
Sec. 11-24. Reserved. .
Sec. 11-25. Reserved. .
Section 4: Amendatory Lan2ua2e. That the Code of Ordinances of Monroe County,
Florida, shall be amended by amending Chapter 22, "Special Districts," Article VI, "Other
Municipal Service Taxing Units," by amending Section 22-129, "Fire and Ambulance District 1
created,"to read as follows:
Sec. 22-129. Fire and Ambulance District 1 created.
.
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760
Section 5: Conflicts. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances, all County Code
sections or parts of County Code sections, and all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict
with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6: Severability. That should any section or provision of this ordinance or any
portion thereof, any paragraph, sentence, clause or word be declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof as a
whole or part hereof other than the part declared invalid. If this ordinance or any provision thereof
shall be held to be inapplicable to any person, property or circumstances, such holding shall not
affect its applicability to any other person,property or circumstances.
Section 7: Codification. That the provisions of this ordinance shall be codified within
the Code of Ordinances of Monroe County, Florida, and any paragraph or section may be
renumbered to conform with the Code of Ordinances.
Section 8: Transmittal and Effective Date. That this Ordinance shall be transmitted
to and become effective upon filing with the Florida Department of State as provided in Section
125.66, Fla. Stat., as may be amended.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the day of , 2026.
Mayor Michelle Lincoln
Mayor Pro Tem David Rice
Commissioner Craig Cates
Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein
Commissioner James K. Scholl
(Seal)
Attest: Kevin Madok, Clerk BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: By:
Deputy Clerk Michelle Lincoln, Mayor
Approved as to legal form and sufficiency:
By:
Eve M. Lewis, Asst. County Attorney
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761
"e11UYY 'u
BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE!
Rev.06/2024
Meeting Date: January28,2026
Proposed Ordinance Title/Reference:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA,AMENDING THE COUNTY'S CODE OF ORDINANCES,BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2,
"ADMINISTRATION,"ARTICLE V,"FINANCE,"DIVISION 2,"AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIFIC
APPROPRIATIONS OR EXPENDITURES," BY REPEALING SECTION 2-262, "VOLUNTEER
AMBULANCE SERVICES;"AND BY AMENDING CHAPTER 11,"EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AND EMERGENCY SERVICES," BY REPEALING IN ITS ENTIRETY ARTICLE II,
"REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES TO FIRE/RESCUE/AMBULANCES DISTRICTS AND
ORGANIZATIONS;" AND BY AMENDING CHAPTER 22, "SPECIAL DISTRICTS," ARTICLE VI,
"OTHER MUNICIPAL SERVICE TAXING UNITS,"BY AMENDING SECTION 22-129,"FIRE AND
AMBULANCE DISTRICT 1 CREATED," TO REPEAL OUTDATED LANGUAGE REGARDING
VOLUNTEER FIRE AND AMBULANCE DEPARTMENTS THAT NO LONGER PROVIDE
SERVICES TO MONROE COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL
AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The Proposed Ordinance ❑ does ® does not fall under one of the following enumerated
exceptions:?
❑ The proposed ordinance is required for compliance with Federal or State law or
regulation;
❑ The proposed ordinance relates to the issuance or refinancing of debt;
❑ The proposed ordinance relates to the adoption of budgets or budget amendments,
including revenue sources necessary to fund the budget;
❑ The proposed ordinance is required to implement a contract or an agreement,
including,but not limited to,any Federal,State,local,or private grant or other financial
assistance accepted by the county government;
❑ The proposed ordinance is an emergency ordinance;
❑ The ordinance relates to procurement;or
❑ The proposed ordinance is enacted to implement the following:
a. Development orders and development permits,as those terms are defined in
s.163.3164,and development agreements,as authorized by the Florida Local
Government Development Agreement Act under ss. 163.3220-163.3243;
b. Comprehensive plan amendments and land development regulation
amendments initiated by an application by a private party other than the
county;
c. Sections 190.005 and 190.046, Florida Statutes, regarding community
development districts;
d. Section 553.73,Florida Statutes,relating to the Florida Building Code;or
e. Section 633.202, Florida Statutes, relating to the Florida Fire Prevention
Code.
Summary of Proposed Ordinance and Statement of Public Purpose to be Served:
As a result of the last volunteer fire department's retirement,there is no longer a need
for a Code related to volunteer fire departments. The proposed Ordinance will amend and
repeal outdated language regarding volunteer fire and ambulance departments that no longer
provide services to Monroe County. Thereby removing outdated and inconsistent language.
Business impact statement must be posted on the county's website no later than the date the notice of proposed
enactment is published.
2 F.S.125.66(3)(c)(2025)
762
Estimate of Direct Economic Impact on Private/For Profit Businesses:
a. Estimate of Direct Business Compliance Costs:None.
b. New Charges/Fees on Businesses Impacted: There will not be new charges or fees
associated with this change.
c. Estimate of Regulatory Costs:None.
Good Faith Estimate of Number of Businesses Likely Impacted: Indeterminate.
Any Additional Information:N/A.
763