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 operation of the County 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 which, through the County Administrator, filters down to department heads and others who carry it out.
  • Present ordinances to the public for hearings and then vote whether or not to adopt them for inclusion in the County Code.

Commissioners stand in line with Mayor Cates in the middle, American and Florida flag in background

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

Commissioners

District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5
Mayor Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Mayor Pro Tem
Craig Cates Michelle Lincoln Jim Scholl David Rice Holly Merrill Raschein
305-292-3440 305-292-4512 305-292-3430 305-289-6000 305-453-8787
500 Whitehead St 243 Key Deer Blvd 530 Whitehead St 9400 Overseas Hwy 102050 Overseas Hwy
Suite 102, Key West Big Pine Key Suite 102, Key West Suite 210, Marathon Suite 234, Key Largo
Email Email Email Email Email

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 - Monroe County Supervisor of Elections

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 1200 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL 33040
 February, May, November
No Meeting in August

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."