HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem U10 COUNTY of MONROE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Michelle Lincoln,District 2
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern David Rice,District 4
y Craig Cates,District 1
James K. Scholl,District 3
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Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
Regular Meeting
July 15, 2026
Agenda Item Number: U10
26-32292
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: Tourist Development Council
TIME APPROXIMATE: Public Hearings STAFF CONTACT: Kara Franker or Christine
Limbert-Barrows
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Public Hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Sec. 23-199 of the Monroe County
Code to add terms limits, to add the Fishing Advisory Committee and the Dive/Ecotourism Advisory
Committee and to revise related appointment provisions.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
F.S. 125.0104(4) and Monroe County Code (MCC) Section 23-199 set forth the composition of
members of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC).
In an effort to implement a succession plan and to also address Destination Marketing Accreditation
Program (DMAP) provisions, the TDC reviewed the code and TDC Operations Manual as it relates to
the member composition of the TDC and advisory committees. The TDC has reviewed and considered
imposing term limits on members of the TDC, and the District Advisory Committees (DACs), Fishing
Advisory Committee (FAC) and the Dive/Ecotourism advisory committee and has recommended
imposing term limits as set forth herein. This ordinance also adds chamber of commerce executive
directors as non-voting members on the advisory committees and standardizes the appointment
process by the nominating committee.
Add New Term Limits to MCC §23-199(b)(2) for TDC Members as set forth below:
TDC Members who are appointed to the TDC board as tourist or lodging members shall serve a
maximum of two four-year terms with no possible extension (4-year term is per state statute).
TDC Members who are appointed to the TDC board as elected officials shall not be limited to two
four-year terms.
After serving two consecutive terms, a person shall be eligible to be appointed to the TDC following a
two-year break in service.
Term limits will be prospective applied. (Current term limits will begin effective 10/1/26)
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
The Board discussed potential changes at its 8/20/25 Meeting when it discussed the TDC & VFK
Strategic Plan.
The Board approved advertising the July 15, 2026, Public Hearing at their June 10, 2026 meeting.
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approval
DOCUMENTATION:
Ordinance
Business Impact Statement
Notice of Intent
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: No If yes, amount:
Grant: No
County Match: No
Publicearl consider adoption i e i . 23-199 of the Monroe
County e to add terms limits, to add the Fishing AdvisoryCommittee and the
Dive/Ecotourism AdvisoryCommittee and to revise related appointment r visi .
ORDINANCE NO. -2026
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS (BOCC) OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 23-199 MONROE
COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (TDC) OF
THE MONROE COUNTY CODE TO ADD TERM LIMITS;
TO ADD THE FISHING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND
DIVE/ECOTOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE
CODE AND TO REVISE RELATED APPOINTMENT
PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCE
INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR
INCORPORATION INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE
OF ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, F.S. 125.0104(4) and Monroe County Code (MCC) Section 23-199 set forth the
composition of members of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC); and
WHEREAS, the TDC has reviewed and considered imposing term limits on members of the
TDC, and the District Advisory Committees (DACs), Fishing Advisory Committee (FAC) and
the Dive/Ecotourism advisory committee and has recommended imposing term limits as set forth
herein; and
WHEREAS, the FAC and Dive/Ecotourism advisory committees which have been previously
established and are set forth in the TDC Operations Manual are now being added to the MCC
under the provisions related to the DACs; and
WHEREAS,this ordinance adds chamber of commerce executive directors as non-voting
members on the advisory committees;
WHEREAS, this Ordinance also revises provisions relating to the appointment process in order
to standardize the nominating committees for the DACs, FAC and Dive/Ecotourism advisory
committee;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1: Sec. 23-199(b)(2)- Monroe County Tourist Development Council shall be
amended to read as follows (Note: ADDED LANGUAGE IS NOTED IN
UNDERLINED TEXT AND DELETED LANGUAGE IS NOTED IN
(2) The members of the council shall serve for staggered terms of four years. Except for
elected officials, TDC members are limited to serve a maximum of two four-year
terms. After a two-year break in service, termed out members may be eligible for
reappointment by the BOCC for a new two four-year term. Term limits will be
prospective applied beginning._ on October 1, 2026. Members of the council serve at the
pleasure of the board of county commissioners (BOCC). Removal shall be approved by
affirmative vote of at least three members of the BOCC. The council shall meet at least
Page 1 of 4
once each quarter and, from time to time, shall make recommendations to the county
governing board for the effective operation of the special projects or for uses of the
tourist development tax revenue and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by
county ordinance or resolution.
SECTION 2: See. 23-199(f)- shall be amended to read as follows:
(f) Advisory committees shall be created to make recommendations to the tourist development
council.
(1) No more than one district advisory committee (DAQ shall be created for any district
as defined in subsection (g) of this section.
(2) a. The district advisory committees shall be comprised of nine members, whose
qualifications shall be three from the lodging industry, three from tourist-related
businesses, and three from the general public. The chamber of commerce executive
director in each district shall serve as a non-voting ex officio member on the district
advisory committees. Each of the six members from the lodging industry or tourist-
related businesses must have their primary place of business in that tax collection
district. A seat of one of these members will be considered vacant when the member no
longer has his primary place of business in that tax collection district. The members of
the advisory committee from the general public will be individuals who either live or
work within the tax collection district. A seat of one of these members will be
considered vacant when the member neither resides nor has his primary place of
business in that tax collection district.
b. The fishing advisory committee (FAC) is established to provide recommendation
to the TDC and the BOCC regarding a� county wide funding for tourism related fishing
activities and marketing. The FAC shall be comprised of five (5) members, one from
each of the five districts as defined in subsection (g) of this section.
Each member must reside full time in the Florida Keys and either have a fishing
related business or have knowledge of fishing tournaments. An non-voting ex
officio member may be added to the FAC upon affirmative vote by the tourist
development council.
C. The Dive/Ecotourism advisory committee is established to provide
recommendations to the TDC and the BOCC regarding county wide funding for dive
and ecotourism activities and related marketing, media, public relations, trade shows
and educational initiatives. The Dive/Ecotourism advisory committee shall be
comprised of five (5) members, once from each of the five districts as defined in
subsection (g) of this section. Each member must reside full-time in the Florida Kew
and either own or operate a dive or ecotourism-related business or possess significant
knowledge of dive or ecotourism activities. An non-voting ex officio member may be
added to the Dive/Ecotourism advisory committee upon affirmative vote by the tourist
development council.
d. Advisory committee members are limited to serve a maximum of two four-year Members may be reappointed for an additional one-year term if no qualified
applicant applies for the seat. After a two-year break in service, termed out members
Page 2 of 4
may be eligible for reappointment for a new two four-year term. Term limits will be
prospective applied beginning on October 1, 2026.
(3) There shall be a three-person nominating committee for each district for the purposes
of making recommendations for appointments to the lodging and tourist-related seats
on the district advisory committee of the district and for all members of the FAC and
Dive/Ecotourism advisory committee. The term of office for each nominating
committee member shall be three years. The nominating committee for each district
shall be comprised of:
a. Executive Director of the Lodging Association;
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9 7
b. Chair of the tourist development council; and
C. Chamber of commerce executive director for the
district.
(4) Appointments to the district advisory board, FAC and Dive/Ecotourism advisory
committee, shall be made through the following process:
a. Any vacancy on a district advisory committee, FAC and Dive/Ecotourism
advisory committee, shall be advertised by the tourist development council
administrative office in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the district
with a request for applications to fill the position, and a deadline for submission of
applications.
b. Application forms shall be made available by the administrative office of the
tourist development council and district chambers of commerce.
c. Applications shall be submitted to the administrative office that shall record the
submission and forward the applications to the nominating committee for the
district served by the district advisory committee for which applications are
received.
d. Each district nominating committee shall nominate two or more names in order of
preference to the tourist development council for appointments to each vacant
lodging or tourist-related position from the applications received through this
process, and submit to the administrative office the nominations and a list of all
candidates considered.
e. All applications received for positions representing the general public shall be
forwarded to the board of county commissioners.
(5) The tourist development council shall appoint the district advisory members
representing lodging and tourist-related businesses for three-year terms from the
recommendations submitted by the nominating committees or return the
recommendations as rejected and request a new set of recommendations. The board of
county commissioners shall appoint the members representing the general public for
three-year terms.
Page 3 of 4
(6) The district advisory committees, FAC and Dive/Ecotourism advisory committee, shall
be bound by the same policies and procedures as apply to the tourist development
council.
(7) District advisory committee, FAC and Dive/Ecotourism advisory committee members
filling terms that expire subsequent to the effective date of the ordinance from which
this section is derived shall fulfill their terms. No member of a advisory
committee, prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is
derived, may be removed because he does not meet this subsection's requirement. All
future appointments must be made to bring each committee into conformance with the
composition requirements.
SECTION 2: SEVERABILITY. If any portion of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or
declared to be unconstitutional, inoperative or void, such holding shall not affect the remaining
portions of this ordinance.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 3: CONFLICT WITH OTHER ORDINANCES. All ordinances or parts of
ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of said conflict.
SECTION 4: INCLUSION IN CODE OF ORDINANCES. The provisions of this ordinance
shall be included and incorporated in the Code of Ordinances of the County of Monroe, Florida,
as an addition or amendment thereto, and shall be appropriately renumbered to conform to the
uniform numbering system of the Code.
SECTION 5: TRANSMITTAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be filed with
the Department of State and shall be effective as provided in section 125.66(2), Florida Statutes.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 15th day of July 2026.
Mayor Michelle Lincoln, District 2
Mayor Pro Tem David Rice, District 4
Commissioner Craig Cates, District 1
Commissioner James K. Scholl, District 3
Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein, District 5
(SEAL) BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Attest: KEVIN MADOK, Clerk OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: By:
As Deputy Clerk Mayor
Page 4 of 4
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BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATEI
Meeting Date: July 15,2026
Proposed Ordinance Title/Reference: An ordinance revising Sec. 23-199 Monroe County Tourist
Development Council to include terms limits and add Fishing Advisory Committees and Dive/Ecotourism
advisory committees to the Monroe County Code and revise appointment provisions.
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. Part II of Chapter 163, Florida Statutes, relating to growth policy, county and municipal
planning, and land development regulation, including zoning, development orders,
development agreements and development permits;
b. Sections 190.005 and 190.046,Florida Statutes,regarding community development districts;
c. Section 553.73,Florida Statutes,relating to the Florida Building Code; or
d. Section 633.202,Florida Statutes,relating to the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
Summary of Proposed Ordinance and Statement of Public Purpose to be Served:
This Ordinance amends the Monroe County Tourist Development Council(TDC)provisions to add term
limits for the TDC,District Advisory Committees(DAC),the Fishing Advisory Committee(FAC),
Dive/Ecotourism advisory committee and related appointment provisions. The public purpose is to set forth
the term limits and appointment provisions for the TDC,DACs,FAC and Dive/Ecotourism advisory
committee.
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:No new change/fees will be imposed by this ordinance.
c. Estimate of Regulatory Costs:No regulatory costs will be imposed by this ordinance.
Good Faith Estimate of Number of Businesses Likely Impacted: None. Businesses are not likely to be
impacted by this ordinance.
Any Additional Information:
1 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)(2023)
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSIDER
ADOPTION OF COUNTY ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN that on July 15, 2026, at 9:00 A.M.
or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas
Highway, Marathon, Florida, 33050, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
intends to consider adopting the following ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
(BOCC) OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 23-
199 MONROE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL(TDC)OF
THE MONROE COUNTY CODE TO ADD TERM LIMITS; TO ADD THE
FISHING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND DIVE/ECOTOURISM
ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE CODE AND TO REVISE RELATED
APPOINTMENT PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES
INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION
INTO THE MONROE COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public at the Monroe County website by viewing the
agenda packet for the July 15, 2026, meeting, which will be posted beginning on July 7, 2026 at:
s: . onr ec unt . Gov eetn s,,,,,, yen as. The ordinance may also be viewed at
the Monroe County Attorney's Office at 1111 121h Street, Suite 408,Key West, FL 33040.
The public can participate in the July 15,2026, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe
County,FL by attending in person or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found in the agenda at:
t., s:// cbocc®zoom.us/L/ 40 9 8 7 00, or Live Closed Captioning is available via the MCTV portal
at tt s: c ou .castus.ty vo on.roe vi. eo 0 8 3 c cf 7 ac c l 7 I. a e::::::::::::1 l . tV e:::::::::::: eve.
ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order
to participate in this proceeding,please contact the County Administrator's Office,by phoning(305)292-
4441, between the hours of 8:30a.m. 5:00p.m.,prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or
voice-impaired, call "711'
Pursuant to Section 286.0105,Florida Statutes,notice is given that if a person decides to appeal any decision
made by the Board of County Commissioners with respect to any matter considered at such meetings or
hearings, that person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, that person will need to
ensure that a verbatim record is made of the proceedings,which record includes the testimony and evidence
upon which the appeal is to be based.
Dated at Key West, Florida,this 2nd day of July,2026.
(SEAL) KEVIN MADOK, Clerk of the Circuit Court and
Ex Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
of Monroe County, Florida
Publication Dates:
Keys Citizen: Thur., 06/25/26
Keys Weekly: Thur., 06/25/26
News Barometer: Fri., 06/26/26
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