Essential human-curated Florida Keys news, all in one place.
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Big insurance rate hike proposed. State-sponsored Citizens Property Insurance Corporation proposed a 16.6% increase (the second highest increase in the state) beginning with next year's renewals.
- Big hit. Citizens insures more than 18,000 Monroe County home and condominium owners, whose average annual premiums are now around $5,000. Landlords quicky pass rate increases on to tenants as higher rents.
- Rubber stamp? Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation would have to approve the hike, following a public hearing scheduled for August 1st in Tallahassee.
- FIRM opposed. While state law caps annual base rate hikes to 14%, Mel Montagne, the president of advocacy group Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM), said added fees and surcharges push the increase to about 16%.
Rehire under fire. Despite overwhelming public opposition, four Key West city commissioners (including three whose terms expire with the August 20th election) voted in June to fire City Manager Al Childress, but in that same meeting, two other commissioners called for a special meeting on August 26 (following the election) to consider rehiring Childress.
- But can they? When the commission meets for its last regular session as currently constituted on August 8, they'll consider whether a specific section of the city code could slow or effectively prevent a potential rehiring. Opinions are mixed, but may rely on the interpretation of the ostensibly recused City Attorney who nonetheless put himself at the center of the firing effort. Expect fireworks.
- Unanswered questions. Neither incoming mayor Dee Dee Henriquez nor new commissioner Donie Lee have said publicly whether they would vote to rehire Childress, but Mandy Miles at Keys Weekly confirmed that Childress himself would consider accepting the position again if offered to him. Some of the candidates for the two contested city commission seats said they would rehire Childress.
- Projects to be funded include roads, flooding solutions, a new community pool, a new fire station, a better Bayview Park and an enhanced amphitheater.
- Voters will consider four separate categories of funding: parks, recreation and cultural facilities; transportation, roads and parking; police, fire and public safety investments; and flooding, storm, and climate change adaptation projects.
Possible storm brewing. The National Hurricane center is tracking what they describe as A large tropical wave centered several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands" that as of Tuesday morning has a 60% chance of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm in the next seven days. The Keys are within the forecast cone, but it is too early to take any action. Always track the most current information (it's frequently updated) at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc
Coral bleaching. With Keys water temperatures on the rise, our coral reefs are beginning to pale, a precursor to bleaching. Since July 9, water temperatures on the reefs throughout the Keys have reached the threshold for bleaching.
Time to toll? Separate from his role with FIRM, Mel Montagne made a coherent case for a roadway toll and arrival tax for non-residents arriving in the Keys.
TDC to vote on the top candidate for its CEO job. The director selection committee of Monroe County's Tourist Development Council chose a Colorado attorney and executive to be the next TDC director. The TDC board will vote on that recommendation on Tuesday, July 30, at its meeting in Key Largo.
Not a TDC promotion. CBS Evening News' national broadcast included a three minute segment on Key West's chickens that featured outgoing commissioner Clayton Lopez and was less than a positive portrayal of Key West.
Forever in Key West is a relative term. Linda Cunningham reminded us of the challenges of maintaining, well, everything in the Florida Keys.
That's (not yet) a wrap. Transit guru Chris Hamilton bemoaned the lack of effective branding for the City's free and popular Duval Loop transit service.
- No free parking? Chris also made a case for ending free parking in downtown Key West.
Persistence of vision. Mark Hedden meandered from household chores and avoiding head injury, to finally identify a trio of great egrets, as not 'grady grits.'
Our Eyes
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| Bo Fodor |
Previously in Key West Voices
City commission divided on tax increase. Without a formal vote yet, discussions during annual budget workshops for the City of Key West revealed no consensus on prospective tax increases for non-homesteaded properties.
County property tax increase on the way. During its own budget workshops, the Monroe's Board of County Commissioners appeared headed towards increased taxes on non-homesteaded properties.
Big money in Key West commission races. Official campaign finance reports filed with the Supervisor of Elections for candidates in the two competitive races for Key West City Commission (to take place on August 20th) show some eye-popping numbers.
- Large contributors to some of these candidates include some familiar businesses in the local tourism industry. Voters in Key West are encouraged to become familiar with which individuals and business are writing big checks to which candidates in these races. You'll need to scroll down and click on candidates names and navigate a bit to see the reports, which are a matter of public record.
- District 1, Monica Haskell reported raising over $45,000 and Ben Hennington has raised $7,200. Each campaign reports several contributions at the $1,000 limit, as well as small donations.
- District 6, Aaron Castillo reported raising nearly $35,000, Thaddeus Cohen over $10,000, and Marci Rose nearly $18,000. Each campaign reports several contributions at the $1,000 limit, as well as small donations. Castillo's campaign has filed two amended reports, one of which appears to correct an over limit contributions from an individual.
Key West bond request trimmed and goes to voters in November. The Key West City Commission removed roughly $74 million from its original $300 million bond proposals, and agreed on 4-3 votes to propose the remainder to voters on November 5. City residents will be asked to approve bonding up to $226 million in the next 30 years for parks and recreation, transportation, police and fire and climate change adaption projects.
Tavernier citizens appeal CEMEX zoning reversal. The Tavernier Community Association appealed FloridaCommerce’s June 26 reversal of its May 16th decision to deny approval of a Tavernier Key Commercial Overlay District. The zoning proposal enables converting the defunct CEMEX plant into a development including a Publix store and workforce housing. Citizens groups have been vocal in opposition to the project.
Candidates answered challenging questions. Safer Cleaner Ships asked local candidates for their views on cruise ships, water quality monitoring, and rehiring fired Key West City Manager Al Childress. One of the two candidates for City Commission District 1 didn't respond, while one candidate in District 6 declined to comment on rehiring Childress, a second hedged, and a third supports rehiring Childress.
Candidate forum. Hometown! Key West sponsored a candidate forum at the Studios of Key West ahead of the August 20 primary vote, and posted a video of the event.
Rocky rollout for Conch Connect? Multiple residents used social media (Key West Locals in Facebook) to report issues with the County's rollout of its new "Conch Connect”on-demand micro-transit service in Key West and Stock Island. It's not known yet how many used and were satisfied with the service.
Progress at the airport. The Citizen described the fancy windows installed in the terminal building, and that the jet bridges are coming soon.
A lesson in Civics. Linda Cunningham fulfilled her duty as a citizen.
Stilted delivery. Mark Hedden wrote of long legs, and holding opposing views in his mind.
