County Continues Public Process for ROGO/BPAS Allocations with Town Halls and Special Meetings

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners continues its public participation process regarding the state-mandated hurricane evacuation modeling and the number of Rate of Growth Ordinance (ROGO) allocations the County wants to request from the State of Florida.

The board scheduled three public participation town hall meetings and three special meetings to discuss these important decisions.

"We want to give the public every opportunity to participate in the process," said Monroe County Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein.

Public Participation Town Halls: Future of ROGO

The Monroe County Planning & Environmental Resources Department will host the event. Staff will provide background information and currently available data related to ROGO and the potential for additional residential units. Residents are invited to speak and provide feedback on the topic.

• Monday, Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m. Key West: Harvey Government Center
• Wednesday, Nov. 6, 5:30 p.m. Key Largo: Murray Nelson Government Center
• Thursday, Nov. 7, 5:30 p.m. Marathon Government Center

BOCC Meetings: Future of ROGO

• Wednesday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. at Marathon Government Center: Report public input received at town hall meetings, fifth survey, and a presentation by Jonathan Rizzo, National Weather Service (Special Meeting)
• Wednesday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. at Key Largo Murray Nelson Government Center: Presentation of Infrastructure Study to determine infrastructure needs depending upon the number of ROGO allocations requested (Regular BOCC Meeting)
• Thursday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. at Marathon Government Center: Selection of the number of ROGO allocations to request from the State of Florida (Special Meeting)

Monroe County continues to seek public input to gauge public opinions on everything that affects evacuation timing and the number of additional ROGO/BPAS allocations the County and municipalities should request from the State. At the October Board of County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners agreed to request 220 allocations for the County and cities, which, based on the most recent State of Florida Commerce hurricane evacuation modeling, do not exceed the 24-hour evacuation time limit. The modeling is based on a Florida Statute requiring that Monroe County permanent residents be able to evacuate the Florida Keys within 24 hours before a storm. Any additional allocations overthe 220 requested couldrequire a statutory change to State law that currently requires all permanent residents be able to evacuate out of the Florida Keys within 24 hours.

To view the process, learn more, or attend upcoming meetings, visitwww.monroecounty-fl.gov/rogo2024for more information.

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