Is the Key Colony Beach city hall "FAQ" accurate?

Some of it is. These "Frequently Asked Questions" are quoted from the KCB city hall website as of April, 2023.

» Why is the center/admin section of the Key Colony Beach City Hall building condemned?

They say after inspections of the structure by two prior Building Officials (in their capacity as a state certified officials) and in agreement with several engineers, it was determined that it is not safe to inhabit the building. Both former Building Officials determined substantial and extensive damage to the City Hall Complex.
Really?
No "substantial damage letter" has ever been presented to the public. Marble Hall and the post office were not condemned.
A respected KCB contractor quoted $300,000 to repair City Hall although that price will increase after 5½+ years of delay and building neglect.
The KCB Building Official stated that "The City Hall Complex was NOT structurally damaged."
The KCB City Engineer reported "The overall condition of the structure is in good condition"
Read the complete answer here.

» Why not just repair the Key Colony Beach City Hall structure and add the additional space we need?

They say there are several reasons:
Due to the age and construction of the building it is not cost effective to repair then maintain over the long term. The walls supported by 1960’s wood pilings and the old roof structure are major concerns. Pin pilings are also not considered a long-term solution.
The elevation of the building is below the base flood elevation (BFE) and will be well below the new elevations soon to be released. The new requirements put the building more than 5 feet below BFE.
If repaired, the building would still only be a cat 2 hurricane capable building and too low to be a refuge of last resort (hurricane shelter).
It is the staff’s and consultant’s contentions that the structure is more than 50% damaged and City Hall is a "critical government facility," requiring a new building to meet Florida Building Codes and FEMA regulations. If we do not build new, we could lose our FEMA discounts for all homeowner NFIP policies (15%) and could be told to demolish what we have repaired. The City would also be paying the maximum rate for flood insurance on City Hall.
Really?
Spending about a million to repair the building is not cost effective but spending $14,000,000 for new construction is?
Operating and maintaining 6,350 square feet of the current city hall is not cost effective but operating and maintaining a building almost twice that size that fills over four times more space on the lot is? (It is true there will be less lawn to mow when buildings and pavement fill most of the current city hall park space.)
Engineers specify (and the KCB Building Official accepts) pin pilings as a long-term solution for every other project.
The current building elevation is indeed below BFE which is why FEMA provides for "floodproofing" (and why KCB owns flood barriers that were not deployed for Irma).
The elevation elevation of the post office and community hall of the building is below the new flood zone elevations soon to be released.
Monroe County is building a $30,000,000 EOC not five miles from KCB. That satisfies tha "critical government facility" needs.
Read the complete answer here.

» What does the new Key Colony Beach City Hall building design provide?

They say the new design will provide all required functions for our government, post office and community center (Marble Hall) for well into the future and be resilient from hurricane winds and surge. It will provide a safe shelter for our resident’s and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for our first responders. The entire facility will be ADA compliant, cat 5 wind capable and much more cost effective to operate and maintain. It is a very beautiful design that will greatly enhance our City and should add to our property values.
Really?
The existing city hall can provide all required functions for our government, post office and Marble Hall.
The existing city hall can be made resilient from hurricane winds and surge.
The existing city hall is ADA compliant.
The existing city hall is a lovely design that fits the original architecture of KCB, something the city's own Architectural Review Board requires of any structure in the city.
"Greatly enhancing and adding to our property values" is government speak for "greatly enhancing and adding to our tax revenues."
See the city hall designs here.

» Will the Postal Service move into a temporary trailer and then into the new building?

They say Yes, the new lease has been signed and the Post Office is expected to move into the City Hall Annex trailer by April.
Really?
Or not. Today is .

» Has the Key Colony Beach Commission approved a new building?

Yes, the Commission has had two votes, one to replace the building and another to approve the design. Both were unanimous. These decisions were based on recommendations from our Building Official, FEMA/Risk Assessment Consultant, Police Chief and Administrative Staff. More importantly, you, our residents provided excellent recommendations during several public meetings (specifically on the City Hall Project) and numerous regular commission meetings. Several key design requests came from you for the community center (Marble Hall), post office and office spaces. The City is budgeting $8M for the construction of a new City Hall, will evaluate estimates from contractors once bids are received for review.
Really?
We'd like to see what "key design requests from [community members] for the community center (Marble Hall), post office and office spaces" were actually incorporated. Hard to tell since city officials won't let us see the plans.
They want the gun tower.
The City told us they were budgeting $2.3 million for the construction of a new City Hall.
Then the City told us they were budgeting $5 million for the construction of a new City Hall.
Then the City told us they were budgeting $6 million for the construction of a new City Hall.
Then the City told us they were budgeting $10 million for the construction of a new City Hall.
The City now tells us they are budgeting $8M million for the construction of a resilient new City Hall.
The resilient Monroe County EOC is costing over $1,000 per square foot.
Most reliable estimates put the finished cost of the KCB City Hall plans at $14 million.
Here is an accurate examination of the city construction budget.

» How does the City of Key Colony Beach expect to pay for a new building and temporary facilities?

"Please click here to read a DRAFT New City Hall Construction Financing Plan."
And we all know what "DRAFT" means.
Here is an accurate breakdown of the city construction budget.

» What are the next steps in the Key Colony Beach City Hall project?

They say the State has approved our building plans, and we are preparing to go out for bids. A cost assessment will follow after bids have been received.
The only opportunity to change the course of the city will come on or after June 5, 2023, when the bids are opened.

» Key Colony Beach City Hall Cost Comparison: Old vs. New

They ask us to please click on the link below for the City Hall Attribute Summary & Cost Comparison document prepared by Commissioner Harding, which was presented and discussed during the March 16th, 2023, City Commission Meeting.
Here's a side-by-side comparison of Commissioner Harding's budget with a more realistic one.