The Latest News: July, 2026
Commentary
about July issues
Local News Briefs
Florida Keys get $60 million in budget
The Marathon Weekly reports that a state budget signed by Governor Ron Desantis on June 29 will send tens of millions of dollars to the Florida Keys. Not all local projects receive state funding. In total, DeSantis vetoed over $1.6 billion from a budget the state Legislature approved during a special session in May. State spending has declined for four consecutive years while Florida has maxed out its Rainy-Day fund to its constitutional limit of $5 billion. We have the entire veto list here.
The Florida Keys Stewardship Act received $20 million for the program supporting water quality projects in the keys. It allows municipalities to use state dollars to restore and clean murky canals or improve storm water infrastructure.
Full Time Police Officer
The City of Key Colony Beach is seeking an officer with current Florida Law Enforcement certification to fill an open position as a police officer in the city. See the ad here, call 305.289.1212 ext. 1 or email a resume to Chief of Police Jamie Buxton.
What Will the Commission Do at the Budget Workshop on July 13?
The city commission will hold a budget workshop at the temporary meeting place on the back patio at the Key Colony Inn and on Zoom beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 13.Note that the restriction on public commentary continues for all meetings; "Members of the Public may speak for three minutes and may only speak once unless waived by a majority vote of the commission."The agenda includes the FY2026/2027 budget proposals, discussion of the draft general budget, the draft utility board budget and the budget adoption calendar.
The commission will discuss increasing the millage rate to 2.834 (a 4.63% increase over the rollback rate), a 13.5% increase in the wastewater rates, and spending down the reserves by nearly $800,000. The 2025-2026 FY budget recap shows the city budgeted general fund expenses of $3,969,240 but spent $5,338,872. It appears the city overspent the budget by 34.5%.
The 26-27 FY workshop budget plans to spend $6,145,574. That's 54.8% more than last year's approved budget.
Read the full Budget Workshop Agenda and Packet here.
Click or tap here to email your questions and comments to the commissioners and city clerk .
Join the 07/13/26 budget workshop from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click or tap this URL to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85247375295?pwd=wgCwylXAVMk3LzhU5WodbrVdexe72R.1
Passcode: 041378
What will the KCB City Commission do at the meetings on July 16?
The city commission will host a public hearing and a regular monthly meeting at the temporary meeting place on the back patio at the Key Colony Inn and on Zoom beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 16.Note that the restriction on public commentary continues for all meetings; "Members of the Public may speak for three minutes and may only speak once unless waived by a majority vote of the commission."Public Hearing
The agenda includes the dissolution of title to split a two story duplex on 9th Street into two separate properties, the installation of a 20,000-pound boat lift on 15th Circle, and a variance for an existing, seven foot tall, reflective sculptural anchor on 4th Street.
Read the full Key Colony Beach Public Hearing Agenda and Packet here.
Regular Monthly Meeting
The agenda includes $106,750 to buy a new club car, a new Ford Ranger, and a new Ford F-150, plus a $4.5 million warrant, the budget workshop, grant applications, city website updates, an engineering service agreement, proposals for a golf course advisory committee and for fans for the clubhouse porch. There are ordinance changes for variances and certification of multi-story structures and resolutions to impose special assessments and to determine the millage rate.
KCBers may want to ask our commissioners about these items on the agenda or other issues in the city.
Committee and Department Reports: Chief Jamie Buxton reported this year's fishing derby and the July 4th BBQ were tremendous successes. The new Dodge Ram has been wrapped to match the fleet.
The code enforcement focus was managing garbage and yard bin violations, resolving public nuisances, and supporting community events.
City Administrator John Bartus reported the city has submitted grant applications for park restrooms, a fitness trail, the new electronic message sign, and a wedding/family gathering area for Sunset Park. The city was awarded the FDEM grant for $220,500 to elevate wastewater lift stations.
City Clerk Roussin reported that the city website has been updated to comply with ADA guidelines.
The building department has completed 122 inspections, and has 10 active construction projects in the city. Annual rental renewal safety inspections of more than 700 short term rental properties remain a primary focus.
The recreation committee is concerned about the reported TDC grant and city confusion over the basketball court schedule. Poor communication between the commission and the rec committee is an ongoing issue. Their full report is included in the packet.Consent Items:
Items to be voted on one motion include the purchase of an $18,666.80 club car for public works, a $38,480 new 2026 Ford Ranger super crew pickup truck for the building department, and a $49,604 new 2026 Ford F-150 police responder for the police department, as well as approving a warrant for $4,549,876.66, a restroom maintenance contract for $23,628.37, a $29,880.37 local monitoring system for the wastewater plant, and the meeting minutes.Action Items:
The commission will review the FY 26/27 budget workshop.The commission will approve a $42,000 or $54,500 CPH Engineering Service Agreement to develop a Collection System Action Plan
The commission will discuss a rec committee proposal to form an advisory committee for the future of the golf course.
The commission will discuss a rec committee proposal of fans for the golf course clubhouse porch.
Ordinances & Resolutions:
The commission will approve the first reading of an amendment on variances and the first reading of an amendment for certification and recertification of existing and future multi-story structures.
The commission will also approve a resolution imposing stormwater utility special assessments and a resolution to determine the proposed millage rate, and the current year rolled-back rate.Secretary-Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Harding will report on the June financial summary.Commissioners' Reports
Commissioner Harding will report on the wastewater report for July 13 and give a dry flood proofing project update.
Commissioner Diel has another KCB Day update.
Commissioner DiFransico has an update on 680 11th Street.
Vice-Mayor Colonell has a city hall update.
Mayor Foster will report on the police union contract and property taxesRead the full Key Colony Beach City Commission Meeting Agenda and Packet here.
Click or tap here to email your questions and comments to the commissioners and city clerk .
Join the 07/16/26 meetings from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click or tap this URL to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84187148751?pwd=Phbi5QMsS8bnWADf85tlU4QJKUvV5N.1
Passcode: 498726
City Hall Update
... Today is day
City Hall Construction Images
KCB Calendar
City Hall Closed
City Hall will be closed for Independence Day on Thursday and Friday, July 2 and 3.
Hot Dogs with the Cops
Join the KCB police officers for the monthly BBQ with the Police in Sunset Park on Saturday, July 4, from 12 - 2 p.m. The event not only fosters community spirit and provides an opportunity to engage with local law enforcement, it's a great opportunity to welcome Chief Jamie Buxton in her new role. For those who may be unfamiliar, the event offers complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers.
The event welcomes attendees of all ages. Let’s all celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation together.
Voter Registration
July 20 is the last day to register to vote or change a political party for the upcoming primary election. Anyone who is not registered vote by the state will not be eligible to vote on Tuesday, August 18.
All other KCB residents should have received a mailer with the new "voter information card" from the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections. This is not junk mail. Please do not throw it out. The voter information card must be produced at the polling place.
This card is proof of registration but is not legal verification of eligibility to vote. It is the responsibility of a voter to keep his or her eligibility status current. Voter may confirm his or her eligibility to vote with the Department of state.
Beauty in KCB
The Beautification Committee notes that slower days of summer are here with hot days and no formal work parties. The committee will meet in person and on Zoom at the Inn on July 14 at 10 a.m. Keep up with Beauts at https://keycolonybeach.net/2026/01/26/%f0%9f%8c%b4-2026-beautification-committee-work-party-schedule. And visit keycolonybeach.net/kcb-beauts for landscaping resources and more.
Budget
The city budget and millage adoption calendar is:
- July 16: City commission meeting includes FY26/27 budget discussion
- August 20: City commission meeting includes the final review before September budget hearings
- September 10: First public hearing to adopt tentative FY26/27 budget and millage rate
- September 17: Final public hearing to adopt the FY26/27 budget and millage rate
The meetings may be held on the back patio of the Inn or may move to some other temporary city hall
Meetings
Notice: Change of Meeting Location and Time
Effective in July, all KCB meetings will be held on the Back Patio at the Key Colony Inn. The city commission will meet on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. The next scheduled monthly meeting and public hearing is Thursday July 16.
P&Z board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. beginning July 15. Utility Board meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. beginning July 21.
The Beautification committee meets in person on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. (Check the KCB Calendar to confirm times and places.) Recreation committee meetings will continue to be held on Zoom on the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m.
Post office hours are not changed. The post office is open 24/7. Counter service is available at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 - 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Commentary
about June issues