Mayor Pro Tem Rice to Lead County Budget Hearings Taking Place Wednesday & Thursday

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem David Rice will lead the Monroe County budget meetings at 5:05 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8 in Key West and Thursday, Sept. 9 in Marathon. In an abundance of caution, Mayor Michelle Coldiron will be attending the meeting via Zoom after finding out today she had close contact on Monday with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. She is fully vaccinated but wants to take extra precautions against spreading it any further.

“While I already had one negative test and am not showing any symptoms, I am following safety precautions lined out by the Florida Dept. of Health,” said Coldiron. “For the remainder of this week, I have canceled my in-person meetings and will get extra rest and hydrate to be on the safe side.”

Monroe County continues to operate meetings in a hybrid format to accommodate those who want to participate but may be uncomfortable in indoor or social settings. To watch or join, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/meetings.

A moment of silence will be held at the beginning of the meeting in remembrance of Commissioner Mike Forster, who died from COVID-19 on Monday. A video tribute to Commissioner Forster will be held during the regularly scheduled Key Largo Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 15 in Key Largo. Gov. Ron DeSantis has been notified of his death and will start the procedure to appoint someone to fill his seat in the interim. The person who is appointed will serve until the November 2022 election cycle. The person elected in November 2022 will serve until the end of Forster’s regular term, which is November 2024. There is no timetable for the Governor to make an appointment.