Marco Island Council: A Look Ahead to 2023

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Day, the city of Marco Island is already gearing up for a year packed full of challenges.

From Short Term Rental Registration Ordinance Implementation to Water Quality Issues to North Marco Utility Acquisition to Code Enforcement, the City Council will be hard at work in 2023.

Short Term Rental Registration Ordinance Implementation is already underway. The city is in the process of contracting with a software contractor to create an online application form, and has begun planning for staffing and training requirements. A separate account has been established to deposit all registration fees.

Water Quality Issues, first identified by Dr. Harvey Harper in 2019, have yet to be resolved. Offshore testing has revealed that nutrient numbers are high in the surrounding waters, leading to the conclusion that this is a regional issue. The city has received some state grants for stormwater improvements, but a comprehensive plan is yet to be determined.

North Marco Utility Acquisition is also on the agenda for 2023. North Marco Utilities collects wastewater in the Old Marco area and pumps it to the city's wastewater treatment plant on Elkcam Circle. The City Council will be looking at acquisition costs and the responsibility for maintenance of NMU infrastructure.

Finally, Code Enforcement is under scrutiny from the public. Chief Tracy Frazzano has been advocating for full-time personnel rather than part-time, but so far the City Council has not been receptive. With the implementation of the new Short Term Rental Registration Ordinance, the structure of Code Enforcement is sure to be discussed.

As 2023 progresses, the City Council will be hard at work to address these issues and more. The future of Marco Island is in their hands.