Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the city.
The city is carrying the momentum of a successful Independence Day weekend into a busy schedule of public meetings while celebrating millions of dollars in state funding for critical infrastructure projects.
Henriquez praised the community’s Fourth of July celebration at Higgs Beach, which marked both America’s 250th anniversary and the Rotary Club of Key West’s annual festivities.
The day began with the Rotary Club’s annual 5K, which drew approximately 500 runners and walkers, before transitioning into an afternoon family festival and a fireworks display over the water.
“It was a wonderful weekend,” Henriquez said. “It was a great family fun weekend.”
The mayor said the celebration also showcased Higgs Beach following the city’s recent acquisition of the property, demonstrating its potential as a community gathering place for large events.
The budget process is beginning in the city. Budget workshops are scheduled for July 20 and 21 beginning at 9 a.m. in City Commission Chambers, where city officials will present the proposed budget. She said City Manager Todd Stoughton is working toward a budget that comes in below the rollback tax rate.
Residents are also invited to attend a public meeting on Higgs Beach at 2 p.m. Wednesday in City Commission Chambers. The meeting will provide updates on current and future projects while allowing community members to offer input on improvements and priorities for the waterfront property.
The mayor also highlighted several community events taking place this week, including Friday’s Early Bird Cleanup at the bocce courts on Atlantic Boulevard and White Street, Saturday’s Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Collection at Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park, and Key West Day at the Miami Marlins game. Five dollars from each ticket sold through the city promotion will benefit the Key West Police Athletic League’s youth sports and educational programs.
Key West secured approximately $5.5 million in Florida’s 2026-27 state budget for several major infrastructure projects. The funding includes $750,000 for wastewater treatment facility improvements, another $750,000 for the College Road Outfalls Project, $1 million to begin designing the Duval Street pump station project to address chronic flooding, and $3 million for the Stock Island landfill remediation feasibility study.
She credited the city’s partnerships with State Rep. Jim Mooney, State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, City Manager Todd Stoughton and the city’s lobbying team for helping secure the funding.
City officials believe it has been roughly a decade since Key West received more than $5 million in state appropriations during a single budget cycle.
In addition to the legislative appropriations, the city also learned it will receive another $4 million through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Resilient Florida Program for stormwater and water quality improvement projects.
Henriquez said the funding represents a significant accomplishment, especially during a budget cycle in which many projects across Florida were vetoed by the governor.