Aren't commissioners normally democratically elected?

» Sure. But "normally," not so much.

Sec. 2-64. - Vacancies on city commission.
When the office of a commissioner for the City of Key Colony Beach becomes vacant upon death, disability, resignation, removal from office, forfeiture of office, or any reason or manner whatsoever authorized by law, the vacancy shall be filled in the following manner:
(1) The commission, by a majority vote of all remaining members shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy until the next regular municipal election or for all the remainder of the unexpired term, whichever occurs first. In the event an unexpired term is filled at a regular municipal election, said election shall be only for the final year of the term.
(2) If a majority of said remaining members are unable to agree upon a person to fill said vacancy after forty-five (45) days, the city commission shall call a special election for that purpose. However, no special election shall be held within six (6) months prior to a regularly scheduled municipal election.

» Want to circumvent the will of the people? Get a commissioner to resign so the remaining commissioners can appoint someone "simpatico."

» Commissioners Kimmeron Lisle, Beth Ramsay-Vickrey, Joey Raspe, Tom DiFransico, and Doug Colonnell were all appointed to fill five vacancies in five years. Appointed in 2019, Lisle was subsequently defeated at the polls in 2020. Appointed in 2022, Vickrey was subsequently elected once, then abruptly resigned in 2024. Appointed in 2022, Raspe never stood for election, abruptly resigned in 2025.