Monroe County Sets 2026 Legislative Priorities, Eyes Property Tax Reforms

Monroe County commissioners finalized a comprehensive legislative agenda on November 17, 2025 that places local revenue protections, environmental funding, housing support, and insurance affordability at the center of the county's push in Tallahassee. The package reflects long standing local concerns about water quality, coastal resilience, and the costs of living and operating businesses in the Florida Keys.

Key funding requests included a $20 million ask under the Florida Keys Stewardship Act and support for a $5 million Florida Forever set aside for land acquisition. The agenda also seeks targeted water quality appropriations, resilience and flood mitigation grant requests, and increased support for affordable and workforce housing measures. County leaders framed these priorities as essential to sustaining tourism, protecting drinking water and reefs, and keeping working families and critical employees in place.

Insurance affordability was singled out as a priority, with the county supporting measures to restore a 10 percent annual cap at Citizens Property Insurance and to increase coverage limits. Those changes are aimed at addressing mounting costs for homeowners and the broader market instability that has disproportionately affected coastal counties. County officials said they will track insurance debates closely as lawmakers consider proposals in the session.

The agenda also requested protections for local land use tools, including ROGO and Area of Critical State Concern provisions. Those items reflect continuing local interest in retaining planning authorities that shape growth and conservation patterns unique to the Keys. The county’s position signals an intent to resist statewide changes that could alter local control over sensitive coastal lands.

Monroe County plans to coordinate with its legislative delegation to advance these priorities during the 2026 session. That coordination will include presenting the specific funding asks and tracking proposed property tax reforms that could change revenue flows for county services. For residents, the stakes are practical. Changes in state policy on property taxes and insurance could influence assessment burdens, emergency preparedness funding, and the county's ability to invest in storm hardening and natural systems that protect property and livelihoods.

The adopted agenda ties familiar local concerns to concrete dollar amounts and state program requests, setting a clear roadmap for the county’s advocacy in Tallahassee. As debates unfold in the coming months, local officials will face decisions about trade offs between revenue stability, environmental protections, and housing affordability that will shape Monroe County’s resilience and economic health.