The Latest News: August, 2026
Commentary
about August issues
City Hall Update
Vice-Mayor Colonell gave a city hall construction update.
... Today is day by10/12/26. Change orders approved by the commission on 8/20/26 will "extend the schedule by ... another 19 days. So the contractor has somewhere around 80 days left" until about 11/8/2026.See the City Hall Construction Images. This contractor's in his 9th month on a 9-month project. And you can see the progress.
"The roof trusses have become the critical path issue. They were due on site over a month ago. We've roughed in a lot of the plumbing. Electrical is a little bit slower because we don't have a watertight condition... We've completed all the structural tie beams, and a lot of the concrete work on the project is pretty much completed... The windows are in on the second floor, including the glass. Stucco is underway... The water service is completed to the inside of the building [and] a lot of electrical work inside Marble Hall, where we've eliminated fire hazards from old, abandoned wiring... Interior framing will begin in the administrative area on Monday."
There is one pending change order for plan revisions that involves the raised sidewalk. They will add two dedicated receptacles at the bandstand and a quad receptacle out on the patio and the wiring for the pergola.
Trusses were delivered August 27, 2026.
Neighborly News
Turtles!
Save A Turtle has assisted three successful sea turtle nest hatchings this season in KCB. 105 baby sea turtles successfully hatched in Turtle Nest #3 that was excavated August 19. The nest was exceptionally deep, making this discovery even more exciting.
That concludes the current KCB nests, unless they identify a new nest. Sea turtles hatch primarily through October 31, roughly 50 to 60 days after the females lay their eggs. During this critical time, bright, artificial lights disorient hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean.
Fraud
A fraudulent invoice that appeared related to an upcoming City agenda item requested payment by wire transfer. The City of Key Colony Beach has alerted residents, property owners, applicants, and members of the public to be vigilant regarding fraudulent emails, invoices, payment requests, and other communications that may falsely appear to originate from KCB or from a city board or commission, or from city staff.
Read the city notice athttps://keycolonybeach.net/2026/08/17/22740/, Email city clerk Silvia Roussin, or call city hall (305 289 1212 ext. 2) for more info.
Boat Trailer Parking
KCB has long-term boat trailer parking spaces available for residents. For a fee, there are annual trailer-only permits as well as boat-on-trailer storage. Call City Hall (305-289-1212) for more information.
Schools Are Open
The 2026-27 school year started before dawn at Marathon High Schooland at Stanley Switlick Elementary on August 12.
School buses are back on the road, picking up and dropping off our future. Here's what you to know:
- Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended.
- All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street or multi-lane highway divided by a paved median must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal. Do not move your vehicle until the road is clear and the school bus arm is withdrawn.
- The only time traffic does not need to stop when approaching an oncoming school bus is if there is a raised barrier, such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. Drivers in this scenario are advised to SLOW DOWN and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus. However, drivers behind the bus must still stop on a divided highway.
Marathon Getting a City Manager
The Marathon Weekly reports that Marathon's search for a new city manager is complete with acting city manager and current city attorney Steve Williams getting the nod. They will have a contract to review at their September meeting. At the council's direction, Williams would ask Assistant City Attorney Alli Heller if she would fill his post.
Commission Candidates
Leading up to the November general election, the Marathon Weekly asked city commission candidates two important questions. Lynne Benton, Kirk Diehl, and Freddie Foster will vie for two seats on the commission:
- Property tax reduction/elimination is arguably the most consequential referendum on November's ballot. Should the plan pass, what items do you believe can should be cut from Key Colony Beach's budget and/or what new funding sources do you propose to compensate for lost property tax revenue?
- How do you believe the city of Key Colony Beach can best balance between personal property rights and the high beautification standards the city is known for?
Read their answers at https://keysweekly.com/42/key-colony-beach-commission-candidates-talk-property-taxes-and-community-beauty.
The Tax Setting Date Looms. What Did the Commission Do at the Budget Workshop?
The city commission held a budget workshop at the Key Colony Inn and on Zoom on July 13.The commission set the proposed millage rate to 2.834. That's a 4.63% increase over the rollback rate.
They raised wastewater rates by $10 or 13.5%,
The FY2026-2027 workshop budget plans to spend $6,145,574. That's 54.8% more than last year's approved budget.
They will spend down the reserves by nearly $800,000. The FY2025-2026 budget recap shows the city budgeted general fund expenses of $3,969,240 but spent $5,338,872. No one addressed that the city appears to have overspent the budget by 34.5%.
Commissioner Harding reviewed the FY2026-2027 budget. He noted "We are spending less money next year, because ... we're at the tail end of the City Hall expense next year, where we spent more money this year because of City Hall" The rollback rate is 2.7164. Our current millage is 2.82, and the proposal is to increase to 2.834. He explained a "big jump" in 2018 for Irma and one in 2021 for City Hall.
Total 2026-27 expenses are almost $1.1 million less than estimated 2025-26 expenses but ad valorem taxes will increase another 4.63%.
Budgeted tax revenue doubled between the 2018-19 and 2025-26 fiscal years. Commissioner Harding reported big jumps in 2018 and 2021 but not the other million dollar tax increase in 2023-24.
- KCB budgeted $1,732,677 for 2018-19 ad valorem tax revenue.
- $1,804,165 for 2019-20
- $1,878,301 for 2020-21
- $2,300,383 for 2021-22
- $2,627,390 for 2022-23
- $2,999,042 for 2023-24
- $3,946,224 for 2023-24
- $3,246,270 for 2024-25
- $3,542,289 for 2025-26
- $3,706,340 for 2026-27
August 2026
It's suddenly busy again in KCB. Commission candidates answered questions. There are concerns about setbacks and variances at Planning & Zoning. The regular commission meeting will have a city hall update and change orders, questions about grants, another tolled building permit overridden, amendments to ordinances, the 2026 Watershed Management Plan, and much more. Meetings are held at the Inn. School buses are on the road again with a requirement to stop for school buses on US-1. Tuesday is primary election day. The city tax calendar looms.
What will KCB Planning & Zoning do at their meeting on August 19?
The Planning & Zoning Board will host a regular meeting and public hearing at the temporary meeting place on the back patio at the Key Colony Inn and on Zoom beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19.The agenda includes requests for a site plan amendment for the Sadowski Marina Restaurant and Shopping Center and for a 16,000-pound four-post elevator boat lift on Ocean Drive, There will be a discussion of code amendments including swimming pool setbacks plus a new handbook for the Planning & Zoning Board. The amended ordinances will come before the commission at a later meeting.
People are asking about the prior improperly granted variances and about the proposed ordinance change to reduce the swimming pool setback to only five feet from our canals. There is concern that changes to the canal setbacks must obtain state approval, a step KCB regularly appears to ignore.Read the full Key Colony Beach City Commission Meeting Agenda and Packet here.
Join the 08/19/26 meeting from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click or tap this URL to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84620362337?pwd=TiFhmznYvc9P3cXyQ7ItZHkHEsHp1k.1
Passcode: 947393
What did the KCB City Commission do on August 20?
The city commission held a regular monthly meeting on the back patio at the Key Colony Inn and on Zoom on Thursday morning, August 20.
Committee and Department Reports: Marathon Fire Department received a grant for a fire boat which should arrive around the end of October to assist in rescue and to extinguish fires as well.
Commissioner Diehl was really impressed with the "code officer's 74 citations last month. That's compared to the last 12 months, only $1,200 generated, that's 80-some hundred dollars."
City Administrator Bartus reported a possible grant for the fishing derby and several TDC capital project and other grants, managed bids, reaching the Interlocal Agreement for the Stewardship funds, and worked on floodplain ordinance changes.
Rec Committee Chair Cindy Catto reiterated that the committee looked at and didn't select other options for the basketball court because they required taking down trees or using more green space. There are also other concerns about safety at the retention pond. There are landscaping plans and plantings to mitigate any safety hazards with the basketball court located where it's supposed to be. So after a very thorough discussion the Recreation Committee reaffirmed that April 2025 decision.Action Items:
Commissioner DiFransico questioned the scope and the confidentiality requirements in the membrane replacement contract. This is the last of the cassettes to be replaced. The commission approved the contract for $383,220 pending a review by city attorney Hicks.The commission approved the bid for storm drain cleaning services.
Erin Deady discussed resiliency and flooding and described the grant to create the Watershed Master Plan which will assist with the Community Rating System. KCB started participating in CRS in 1992. As of 2023, KCB has a Class 6 ranking with a 20% discount in flood insurance premiums. Watershed master plans have to be updated every 5 years to remain in the CRS program. This is the first and the grant deliverables have been completed.
She recommended three key projects: (1) elevating five structures (2) install additional pump-assisted stormwater injection wells and (3) elevate roadways that 2040 sea level rise is projected to inundate. They also made policy recommendations including tidal flooding in the stormwater plan.
The watershed master plan creates a foundation to pursue grants for stormwater master plans, capital projects, for instance, the road elevation along Sadowski. Commissioner DiFransico asked for a look at Clara and Coral Lanes, particularly as we plan to elevate Sadowski. Ms. Deady reported the data might already be there.
The commission approved the plan.The commission dealt with a 1-year permit extension request for 880 Shelter Bay Drive. Building official Loreno said the permit does not qualify for tolling. Commissioner Harding wanted "to make sure they realize this is 10% fee per month."
People Are (still) Asking for city officials to explain what legal authority supports their claim that the Florida statutory tolling requirements do not apply. Even without the hardships created by the city and the detention of the shell contractor, this permit is automatically extended by statute.
States of emergency such as those declared for Hurricane Milton automatically extend building permits at no additional cost; the current declaration remains in effect through at least September 18. Permit holders may also claim two additional years to work under their building permits beyond that initial period, also at no additional cost. That two years would keep all current KCB building permits open until September 18, 2028, although the builders can close a permit whenever they finish the job.
The commission approved the $7,500,000 Florida Keys Stewardship distribution agreement to be divided into $1,500,000 annual distributions in FY26-27 through FY30-31. The amount of funding is dependent on the amount actually received from the state.
The commission approved a $250,000 Phase 1 Funding Request to the FDEP that Mayor Foster described as "a placekeeper for us to move forward with, with the wave study" by a single source (no RFP required) to develop data on shoreline loss and science with the expectation of adding wave attenuation devices along the shoreline. "I'm looking for approval on this, so we can go ahead and put this as a placekeeper," The city will pursue additional funding for that construction and monitoring in the future. The grant will require a $125,000 (50%) match of city funding for which Commissioner Harding wants private contributions from the private landowners along West Ocean.
Moving the dumpster at the Sadowski Marina got kudos and the elevator boat lift in a slip sailed through. They approved a $9,600, one-year subscription to Komline's Operational Intelligence for the water treatment plant.
The commission approved Pedro Falcon's six change orders that totaled $218,773 or more: the contractor will replace the old, musty fiberboard ductwork in Marble Hall for $26,889 with a seven day extension; spray foam the new part of the building plus batt insulation in the trusses for $28,119 with a 5 day contract time extension; reroute the lines and replace the west air handling unit for $20,965 with a seven day contract time extension; and add the "F&I" pergola for $142,800. The time needed for the pergola "would be outside of our contract." Other change orders covered two additional data conduits and sleeves under the parking lot required by the public utilities and replacement of the east AHU.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
The commission approved an ordinance for Certification and Recertification of Multi-Story Structures.By state law, milestone inspection reports must be arranged by a condominium or cooperative association and any owner of any portion of the building which is not subject to the condominium or cooperative form of ownership. This section does not apply to a single-family, two-family, three-family, or four-family dwelling with three or fewer habitable stories above ground. The KCB building department shall provide milestone inspection reports to the state on or before December 31, 2025, and on or before each December 31 thereafter.The commission approved the first reading of an ordinance to raise monthly sewer rates $10 (13.5%) from $74/month ($222/quarter) to $84/month ($252/quarter). The second reading of 2026-515 will be September 17. They adopted the 2026 County Watershed Management Plan. And they resolved to apply for the DEP grant for the shoreline project and committed the required 50% local matching funds.
Secretary-Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Harding reported on the 10th month of FY2026 with a negative balance in the general fund. Revenue coming in now is business tax licenses. Total revenue and total expenses are "actually very close to budget." The Building fund is at $64,000. The city hall hardening grant has been fully utilized and the full reimbursement received. Thank you. The Pickleball shades are paid for and TDC reimbursement requested.
Wastewater expenses are over budget driven by sludge hauling and plant maintenance. The commission approved a new motion to do a business case analysis not to exceed $15,000 for processing sludge in-house.City Attorneys' Report
Attorney Hicks reported that the pin piles and slab issue in the admin area drove three change orders put estimated economic damages at $300,000. The commission approved a new motion to instruct the city attorney to enter negotiations with King's Enterprises to recover those costs.Commissioners' Reports
Commissioner Harding reported that COVID-19 is increasing throughout the country. "I was shocked at the number for the 28th of July, which is right around mid-season. It was the highest number we have ever, ever seen."
They discussed painting the wastewater tanks, the 16-17 page Sherman Williams paint specification, and the 10-year warranty. There are two steel tanks and two cement tanks in the plant.
Commissioner Diehl gave a KCB Day update from the 70th Birthday Committee. They will have a calendar in October or November. Thursday is a pretty packed day with bocce ball, cornhole, Mahjong, a happy hour, and Texas hold-em tournament. Friday has a snapper derby and an awards ceremony. Saturday will be hot dogs in the park along with a band and beer. And Sunday will be the KCBCA plus a commissioner's breakfast and the parade.
Vice-Mayor Colonell apologized to the Rec Committee, "because I probably led them astray and distracted them from really what I felt was a core issue on the basketball court." The retention pond appears very shallow but is 8 feet deep. A 4-foot picket fence around the pond was eliminated. He wants to make sure there is no safety hazard.
He also gave an update on the sailfish. CPH has agreed to do the structural engineering for its foundation. The diamond is in fabrication. Beauts likes the idea of a fountain. Donations are coming in including one from Beauts.
Mayor Foster noted getting over $16 million in grants with "several million dollars out there for additional grants we're looking for." He reported a need to put some time and money in the sewer plant.People Are (Still) Asking exactly what each grant covers and the total cost to the city for expenses not covered by the grants, for example engineering not covered, grant administration (and procurement), and more? Is there a breakdown of staff time and public works time and legal time and grant writer time used to apply for and to implement each grant?
KCB Calendar
Vote
Tuesday, August 18 is primary election day. KCBers will vote at the Golf Pro Shop at 460 8th Street in KCB. Anyone who is not registered vote by the state will not be eligible to vote on Tuesday, August 18.
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 the second Tuesday every month at 10 a.m. Keep up with Beauts at keycolonybeach.net/kcb-beauts for landscaping resources and more.
Budget
The city budget and millage adoption calendar is:
- August 20: City commission meeting includes the final review before September budget hearings
- September 10: First public hearing to adopt the 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 August 20.
Utility Board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. P&Z board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. beginning July 15.
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.
Passages
We just learned that Stephen Melvin, 75, a resident of the Tall Condos and long time Inch Beach member (since the 1980s), passed away in March at home with his wife, Susan, by his side. He was born in Montclair, NJ, lived in Bloomfield, Montville, and Cape May before moving to KCB. He loved cars, history, archaeology, fishing and boating, and anything mechanical.
Commentary
about August issues
