Author Archives: M_Blank
Fact Checking Mike Cinque
I’ve been following the Marathon story on KeysNet and I saw the latest – a letter submitted by Mike Cinque, the former Mayor of Marathon. Let’s fact-check this thing.
Posted in Marathon, Wastewater
Tagged Florida Keys, Monroe County, wastewater projects
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From KeysNet – County Chief Protecting Perceived Turf
There’s a nice letter on KeysNet by Key Largo Fire and EMS District Chairman, Bob Thomas. According to a previous newspaper article, Tavernier taxpayers are inquiring about the possibility of the Key Largo Fire District taking over the Tavernier Volunteer … Continue reading
Paving – Signs of Intelligent Life?
I read through Monroe County’s Pavement Analysis Report dated February 3, 2014. It actually looks like they made an honest effort to evaluate the roads using relevant and objective criteria. If they actually organize the project in accordance with the … Continue reading
Key Largo’s Contribution – Taxable Property Value
When it comes to the infrastructure sales tax, Key Largo is a donor community. The Upper Keys, in fact, contribute about $3 million more per year than they get back. If the Village of Islamorada were not incorporated that figure … Continue reading
Posted in Key Largo's contribution
Tagged Florida Keys, Monroe County, property taxes
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I Send Emails
One of the best things about my resignation as the General Manager of the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District is that I can express myself freely. In my three years of being General Manager, I was often accused of not being “diplomatic” … Continue reading
Bad News for the Keys
Update: See follow-ups here and here. Saw this on KeysNews.com this morning. State Cuts Keys Funds for Projects No more sewer money this year. This is unfortunate. I’d like to take a closer look at certain statements made in the article.
Commission Approves Fund Swap – Part 2
Will the swap agreement enable the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District (the District) to provide financial relief to its ratepayers? Will they be able to lower rates or assessments? That’s what this agreement should be about. Is it really worth … Continue reading
From Keysnews.com – Commission approves fund swap
There’s another article about the fund swap agreement between the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District and Monroe County on keysnews.com, Commission approves fund swap. If I wrote the headline I would add “with lots of spin”.
Millage Rates
The property appraiser has provided some very helpful reports about millage rates on its website. Here are some links: 2012, 2013, 2014. One of the first things you might notice is that millage rates in the incorporated areas tend to … Continue reading
Infrastructure Sales Tax Wrap-up
Update: Because of the continuing out-of-control cost escalation of the Cudjoe Regional project, the funding disparity now stands at $125 million. The county has implied that Key Largo has benefited from the infrastructure sales tax to such an extent that the … Continue reading
The Real Poop 