Construction of a new City Hall in Key Colony Beach is moving ahead, with roof trusses now in place and the building beginning to take shape.
John Bartus, city administrator for Key Colony Beach, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on int he city.
The City Hall project has made significant progress in recent weeks.
“For those who haven’t driven by lately or come over and checked it out, the progress is really amazing,” Bartus said. “It’s going fantastically.”
Bartus said the arrival of the roof trusses marks an important milestone for the project.
“The roof trusses have finally come in, so there’s roof taking shape over the new addition to the City Hall,” he said. “It’s starting to look really good.”
Once the roof is completed and the building is sealed from the weather, crews will be able to move further into interior work and finishing projects.
Key Colony Beach is also receiving a $475,000 state appropriation to help fund improvements to its wastewater system.
Florida State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and state Rep. Jim Mooney were scheduled to visit Key Colony Beach Wednesday morning for a check presentation recognizing the funding.
Bartus said the money came through a separate legislative appropriation approved last year and is not part of the state’s stewardship funding.
“We got a nice little $475,000 appropriation for our wastewater system from the Legislature last year,” Bartus said. “I, for one, am very grateful for that.”
Bartus credited Rodriguez and Mooney for their work on behalf of the community.
“They’re always working for us up there in Tallahassee, and we really appreciate them,” he said.
Key Colony Beach is also expected to receive additional funding through the Monroe County municipalities’ agreement involving $20 million in stewardship funds.
Under the interlocal agreement, Key Colony Beach negotiated a $1.5 million share for each year over the next five years.
Bartus said the funding is project-driven, meaning communities need projects ready to move forward in order to use the money.
“If a local government doesn’t have a project ready to go, then of course they might forego their funds for that year, knowing that they’ll still be around for years to come,” he said.
Bartus credited Key Colony Beach Mayor Freddie Foster and the other local governments involved in negotiating the agreement.
The city is also working with the City of Marathon on an issue involving affordable housing units associated with the state’s ROGO and BPAS systems.
Bartus said Key Colony Beach is not part of those systems and does not have enough space to accommodate a large number of additional units.
“Key Colony Beach is not part of the ROGO or BPAS system,” Bartus said. “We’re close to build-out as it is.”
He said the goal is to make sure Marathon can make use of the units while Key Colony Beach supports the effort.
Meanwhile, the city’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget process is underway.
The first public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Thursday at the temporary Key Colony Beach meeting location at the Key Colony Inn back patio.
Bartus said residents may see larger numbers in some portions of the proposed budget, but that does not necessarily mean property taxes are increasing.
“What we had to do was be able to budget and put in a budget some higher numbers because we were very successful at getting some grants this year,” Bartus said.
He said the additional budgeted amounts reflect grant-funded projects that can be completed without putting the same burden on local property taxpayers.
“It looks like there’s an increase, but that’s an increase that’s due toward grant funding that enables us to get projects done without hitting and impacting our local property taxes,” Bartus said.
Bartus also discussed concerns about proposed property tax changes at the state level and their potential impact on local governments.
He said Key Colony Beach would likely see a smaller financial impact than some other municipalities because of its relatively low number of homesteaded properties.
However, Bartus said there are still questions about restrictions on how local tax revenues could be used.
“The devil’s in the details,” he said, noting that the Legislature would have to work out the specifics.
Bartus said some proposals could restrict the use of municipal tax revenues for services and facilities such as parks, recreation and libraries.
“So I still have some concerns as far as that goes in terms of financial impact overall,” he said. “It’s not going to be that huge” for Key Colony Beach.
Looking ahead, Bartus said the city has several major events and projects on the horizon, including the completion of the new City Hall and the annual holiday season.
He also highlighted next year’s 70th anniversary of Key Colony Beach’s incorporation. The city and the Key Colony Beach Community Association are already working on plans for a celebration that could span five or six days.
“We’re going to have a great celebration next year,” Bartus said. “It’s going to be fantastic.”
The city is also working on a new sculpture featuring the Key Colony Beach city seal. The planned centerpiece will feature a large sailfish mounted above a diamond frame, reflecting the city’s “Gem of the Florida Keys” motto.
The sculpture is expected to be placed in the fountain on the City Hall property, and Bartus said the city is currently working on fundraising and fabrication plans.
Beyond city business, Bartus also continues to support Presents in Paradise, a holiday charity founded by his wife nearly three decades ago. The organization helps hundreds of families throughout the Florida Keys each year.
Bartus said the program now assists approximately 600 to 700 families annually.
Several fundraising events are planned, including a Boo Bash costume contest Oct. 30 at Havana Jack’s, a golf tournament Nov. 14 at the Florida Keys Country Club and another fundraiser at the Elks Lodge later in November or early December.
Bartus said the events are part of the community effort to help make Christmas possible for families in need.
With City Hall construction progressing, the budget process underway and the city’s 70th anniversary approaching, Bartus said Key Colony Beach has plenty on its agenda for the coming months.