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.
A commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. will be held today in Key West.
Henriquez said, “City Hall is closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Junior Day, and then I will be attending the Martin Luther King Junior breakfast scholarship fundraiser, and that will be at the Key West United Methodist Church. And then from there, we will line up at 12 noon, and the march starts at 1pm from the Nelson English Park. So I’m looking forward to going down and doing the march and going down Whitehead. And then I believe it’s down Duval, back to the Nelson English Park, so I’m excited about that. Then Tuesday, there is a tree commission meeting starting at five. Wednesday, there’s an Art in Public Places Advisory Board meeting that starts at 5:30 in the chambers. And then Thursday, is a busy day. We have the code enforcement hearing at 1:30 and then the Parks and Rec Advisory Board meeting that starts at five, and then I’ll be participating in the Kelly McGillis Classic parade that’s starting at 6pm and the parade starts down Caroline, and it will go down Duval, and it will end at United Street. So there may be some stops along the way in reference to traffic. And then Friday is the early bird cleanup on Petrona between White and Georgia, and we’ll meet in front of the MCC Church at 1215 Petronia Street. Even though we have a four day work week, we’re still going to be very busy.”
The city had a financial audit recently.
Henriquez said, “The city of Key West is pleased to announce that our recent audit report has received the highest form of recognition in state and local accounting and financial reporting. This procedures award represents a significant accomplishment, and it reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible financial stewardship. As the former tax collector, for 20 years, I had no findings or no recommendations, this is something that is very important to me, so the key city of Key West continues to meet the highest standards of fiscal responsibility on behalf of our residents and our taxpayers. So it’s something I’m very proud of, and I’m very happy that they were able to receive this award.”
What is going on with property taxes at the state level?
Henriquez said, “I was on the property tax committee for the Florida League of Cities. So I am watching this very closely. So last week, the House State of Affairs committee passed the proposal that’s House Bill JR 203, the Florida House has advanced a proposal to increase the homestead exemption by $100,000 every year for the next decade, so eventually eliminating non school properties by 2037. While the Senate remains cautious, there is still no position on the Senate side, they are studying the consequences, and they are committed to placing something on the ballot. Whatever the House and the Senate decide, it will eventually go to the voters, as I had said in the past, and right now, if it does go out to the voters, it has to pass by 60%, so property taxes will be at the heart of this year’s legislative session, and I’m just watching it very closely, but I do know it did pass the State of Affairs Committee last week, so we’re just monitoring it very closely to see how it will affect us. But again, it does have to go out to the voters, because there’ll be a constitutional change.”
The John Jones Navigation Center has been named a Florida green building certified structure.
Henriquez said, “There’s so much good news today, the city of Key West received the Florida green building coalition certification for the John Jones Navigation Center, which we had a ribbon cutting ceremony last year, and this achievement demonstrated our commitment to the construction practices that reduce the negative environmental impacts of the project. For instance, the building uses 15% less energy than the minimum requirements for the Florida building code, storm water, those improvements to reduce near shore water input by 50% and another one was resiliency impact, doors, windows, termite barriers and equipment that is two feet above flood plain. So there was a long list of requirements, and that building was able to meet all of them. Because it demonstrated our commitment, we were able to get the Florida green building coalition certification. So that was exciting news as well. Like I said, we are doing good things. It’s very exciting, and we’re continuing to move our city forward. Just a reminder again, the meet and greet for the mayor is canceled today because we’re closed in observance of Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Day. Please go out today. So have a great week. Be safe out there, and please tune in to all the different boards and learn what’s going on in the city.”