Board of County Commissioners

The Florida Constitution states the governing body of each county shall be a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members serving staggered terms of four years, except when otherwise provided by the county charter.

After each 10-year census, the Board of County Commissioners shall divide the county into districts of contiguous territory as nearly equal in population as practicable. One commissioner residing in each district shall be elected by the electors of the county.

Duties of the Board of County Commissioners

  • Review and pass the county budget and levy taxes
  • Make appropriations for the county's operations as identified in the budget
  • Authorize bonds for capital improvements
  • Manage county properties through the county administrator
  • Confirm division and department heads appointed by the county administrator
  • Appoint special boards and committees.
  • Establish policy that filters through the county administrator to department heads and others who carry it out
  • Present ordinances to the public for hearings, then vote on whether to adopt them for inclusion in the county code

The five commissioners pose for a picture outside

Commissioner Craig Cates, left, Mayor Pro Tem David Rice, Mayor Michelle Lincoln, Commissioner Jim Scholl, and Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein.

Commissioners

District Commissioner Phone Address
Email
1 Craig Cates 305-292-3440 500 Whitehead St, Suite 102 Key West boccdis1@monroecounty-fl.gov
2 Michelle Lincoln 305-292-4512 7280 Overseas Hwy Marathon boccdis2@monroecounty-fl.gov
3 Jim Scholl 305-292-3430 530 Whitehead St, Suite 102 Key West boccdis3@monroecounty-fl.gov
4 David Rice 305-289-6000 9400 Overseas Hwy, Suite 210 Marathon boccdis4@monroecounty-fl.gov
5 Holly Merrill Raschein 305-453-8787 102050 Overseas Hwy, Suite 234 Key Largo boccdis5@monroecounty-fl.gov

The District Breakdown

  • District 1: East part of Key West, Stock Island, Key Haven
  • District 2: Boca Chica through 7 Mile Bridge, including the north side of US 1 to "Behind the Airport" in Marathon
  • District 3: West part of Key West
  • District 4: Marathon, not including District 2, through Plantation Key, with a small west end of Tavernier
  • District 5: Tavernier through Ocean Reef
  • District Breakdown Map and Precincts

Meetings

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners usually meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m. at one of the following three locations:

Meeting Locations

Location Address Meeting Month
Nelson Government Center 102050 Overseas Hwy
Key Largo, FL 33037
 March, June, September, December
Marathon Government Center 2798 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
 January, April, July, October
Harvey Government Center

*subject to change
 1200 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL 33040
 February, May, August, November

Appeals

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

ADA Assistance

If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in meeting proceedings, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning 305-292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call "711."