Islamorada Village Council Seat 2 · Nov 3, 2026
Deb
Gillis
Deb Gillis is running for Islamorada Village Council Seat 2 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Steve Friedman.
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The race · Village Council Seat 2
- 01Steve FriedmanIncumbent
- 02Deb GillisYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Owner and operator of the Key Lantern Inn and Blue Fin Inn at mile marker 82.1 in Islamorada. She served on the village council for eight years until 2018, including as mayor and vice mayor, and returned after the 2024 election.
On the record: Deb Gillis
10 sourced01Staff pay1 sourced position
Voted yes on a motion to reduce budgeted personnel costs to $15,611,085.32 (failed 2-3, September 2026).
Council voteIslamorada · Sep 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Budget1 sourced position
Voted no on the tentative budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 (passed 3-2, September 2026).
Council voteIslamorada · Sep 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Property tax rate2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a tentative property tax rate of 2.7231 mills for 2026-2027 (passed 5-0, September 2026).
Council voteIslamorada · Sep 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
As reported by Keys Weekly; not a direct quote
At the September 28 final budget hearing, suggested lowering the proposed 2.7231 rate to 2.6500 mills, similar to last year's rate.
Own statementKeys WeeklyLink
04Charter amendments2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a motion not to put a council compensation charter amendment on the ballot (passed 3-2, July 2026).
Council voteIslamorada · Jul 7, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on approving ballot language for a charter amendment requiring supermajority votes on certain village property decisions (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteIslamorada · Jul 7, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Freebee fare1 sourced position
Voted no on directing Freebee to start charging riders a $2.00 fare on July 20, 2026 (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteIslamorada · Jul 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Land use1 sourced position
Voted yes on approving, with conditions, an appeal of a dwelling-unit determination for 86751 Old Highway (passed 3-1, August 2026).
Council voteIslamorada · Aug 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Meeting agendas1 sourced position
Written answer to the Upper Keys Weekly candidate question, printed as submitted
Proposed that staff post a preliminary, work-in-progress agenda the week before each meeting.
I would like to see staff develop a preliminary, work-in-progress agenda the week before.”
Forum answerKeys Weekly · Oct 15, 2026Link
08Land acquisition1 sourced position
Asked during budget talks to restore $15,000 for appraisals for the Land Acquisition Committee.
Own statementIslamorada · Aug 5, 2026Link
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