County of Monroe
Growth Management Division
We strive to be caring, professional and fair
Office of the Director Board of County Commissioners
2798 Overseas Highway Mayor Mario Di Gennaro, Dist. 4
Suite #400 Mayor Pro Tem Dixie Spehar, Dist. 1
Marathon, FL 33050 George Neugent, Dist. 2
Voice: (305) 289-2517 Charles “Sonny” McCoy, Dist. 3
FAX: (305) 289-2854 Sylvia J. Murphy, Dist. 5
August 6, 2007
Dear Sir:
I am writing to inform you that Monroe County is currently in the process of restructuring in an effort to increase performance and maximize efficiency. Many changes have been made in our various systems and processes to this end. Recently you contacted one of our five County Commissioners with concerns regarding the restructuring of the Marine Resources Department within the Growth Management Division. The Commission has asked me to respond to your concerns.
The Marine Resources duties of Monroe County have been a portion of the Growth Management Division for over 20 years and continue to be a vital portion of Monroe County’s many initiatives. During this time span the duties have fluctuated between being an office within the Planning Department and being an individual Department within the Growth Management Division.
I as Monroe County Administrator, when looking to restructure Marine Resources, kept as reference the Monroe County 2010 Comprehensive Plan Policy 202.1.5 which reads as follows:
Monroe County shall continue to maintain the Monroe County Department of Marine
Resources with adequate staff and funding to support the development and
implementation of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan,
including the Water Quality Protection Program.
[9J-5.012(3)(c)1,2,3 and 8; 9J-5.013(2)(c)1 and 6]
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan was completed in 2002 and we are now in the maintenance phase. The Water Quality Protection Program is completed with the exception of some wastewater projects which have a completion date of 2010.
The completion of these critical projects does not denude Monroe County’s interest in Marine Resource issues. However, we must as an organization have the ability to look at our structure critically to improve service. We have reduced staffing in the Marine resources Department and are reclassifying it as an office within the Planning Department. The organization will mirror that of our Environmental Resources Office within the Planning Department and is lead by a Senior Administrator. The Senior Administrator of the Marine Resources Office will be Rich Jones who has served Monroe County in the capacity of Marine Planner for over 10 years.
Mr. Jones is looking forward to ongoing challenges such as the working waterfront preservation ordinances and comprehensive plan revisions as well as new challenges such as expanding the pump-out program to be offered county-wide. I have the utmost confidence in Mr. Jones and can see positive changes already occurring in the Marine Resources areas. A strong manager and a dedicated employee Mr. Jones will lead Marine Resources to a new level of service and functionality.
I hope that this letter better details our plans for the future of Marine Resources in Monroe County and alleviates any concerns you might have over the loss of service provided by Growth Management as a result of necessary restructuring. Monroe County’s Growth Management Division and the Office of Marine Resources will be leaders in the field and will continue to have my support and the support of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners.
If you would like to further discuss this or any other changes in the structure of Monroe County please do not hesitate to contact me at 305.292.4441.
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