Key West Vice Mayor and District 3 Commissioner Donie Lee joined Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the city.
The swearing-in ceremony for new members was at noon today in City Hall.
The ceremony officially installed Mayor-elect Sam Kaufman as mayor, along with new commissioners Mark Rossi and Chris Massicotte. Tim Urbanski will also join the Utility Board, while incumbent members will continue serving.
Lee said, “The people have voted and expressed their will, and we’ll have a new mayor sworn in today. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on issues and finding common ground to make Key West a better place to work, live, and play.”
One City Commission race remains undecided. Sarah Compton and Wayne Garcia will face each other in November for the remaining seat.
Lee said the transition may bring changes, but he believes the commission needs to focus on working together regardless of political differences.
“There’s going to be a new commission, and I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on issues and finding common ground,” Lee said.
Lee also reflected on the service of outgoing Mayor Denise Dee Dee Henriquez, thanking her for her years of work in Key West and Monroe County.
“I’d like to thank Mayor Henriquez for her many years of service to Monroe County and Key West,” Lee said. “During the last two years, she worked tirelessly as mayor, and we owe her and her family our gratitude.”
Lee said the recent election was particularly contentious and reflected some of the political division seen nationally.
“The country is divided and polarized. I think that finally it appeared it reached Key West, which many people didn’t think that it would,” Lee said.
He said residents should focus on their common interests rather than allowing disagreements, particularly on social media, to deepen divisions.
“When you really slow down and start to talk to your friends and neighbors and constituents and everyone in town, there’s a lot more that we have in common than we disagree with,” Lee said.
Lee said the new commission should recognize that residents ultimately share a common goal of making Key West a better place, even when they disagree about how to accomplish it.
“We may disagree sometimes on how we get there and the best approach, but at the end of the day, I think it’s all our intent,” he said.
Lee also praised Greg Veliz for returning to City Hall and serving as District 5 commissioner for approximately six months.
Lee said Veliz brought a unique perspective to the commission based on his previous experience as Key West city manager.
“I think he did a great job,” Lee said. “He brought a perspective that none of us have.”
Lee said Veliz’s willingness to speak candidly and put facts on the table added value to the commission’s discussions.
“We also owe him and his family gratitude for his service,” Lee said.
The new commission’s immediate priority will be adopting the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
“There’ll be two budget meetings in September,” Lee said. “That’s where we’ll formalize and adopt the next budget in September.”
The commission has already established a ceiling for the upcoming budget and indicated that additional reductions could be considered.
The commission could ultimately approve a budget at least one percent below the rollback rate, or potentially reduce spending further.
Lee said keeping the budget below the rollback rate could help the city prepare for potential revenue reductions if a proposed property tax amendment passes in November.
The city’s budget and millage rate public hearings are scheduled for September, with the first hearing set for September 10 and the second hearing and adoption scheduled for September 23.
The new commission also begins its first full week with several city meetings. The Citizens Review Board is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m., the Historic Architectural Review Commission meets Tuesday at 5 p.m., the Development Review Committee meets Thursday at 11 a.m., and a code enforcement hearing is scheduled Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
An early bird cleanup is also scheduled for Friday along North Roosevelt Boulevard.
For more information click here: https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/