Key Colony Beach is continuing work on its new City Hall, with the project expected to be completed early next year, ahead of the city’s 70th anniversary celebration.
City Administrator John Bartus 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 hall project has experienced some delays and setbacks, but recent meetings with the contractor have been productive.
“We’ve had some very good meetings with him,” Bartus said, referring to contractor Pedro Falcon. “Our vice mayor Doug Colonell, who is our point person from the city on the project, he’s a longtime contractor. So we couldn’t have better talent on that commission right now if we tried.”
The new facility will include an Emergency Operations Center and is being constructed to meet Category 5 hurricane standards.
“That’s par for the course when you’re trying to build anything down here, much less anything complicated like a City Hall with an EOC and build it up to Cat 5 hurricane standards,” Bartus said. “But we’re moving forward, and we definitely are on track to have this completed sometime early next year.”
The timeline is important because the city is preparing for its 70th birthday celebration next year. Key Colony Beach Day traditionally takes place during the first weekend in March, but Bartus said the anniversary will be marked with a larger, multi-day event.
“You only turn 70 once,” he said. “We’re going to blow it out, and it’s going to be fun.”
Bartus also discussed ongoing negotiations with the City of Marathon over fire and emergency medical services costs.
He said he had negotiated an agreement with Marathon City Manager Steve Williams to keep fire and EMS costs level for the year. However, during Marathon’s second budget hearing, the city added another $125,000 to Key Colony Beach’s fire and EMS costs after looking for ways to reduce tax increases for its own residents.
Key Colony Beach had already passed its budget, prompting the commission to direct Bartus to reopen discussions with Marathon.
“We’re going to meet tomorrow and try to iron out some things that’ll hopefully get us all back on track on a framework for a new interlocal agreement,” Bartus said.
He said the goal is to establish an agreement that avoids last-minute budget increases and surprises.
“It’ll be more of a negotiation as opposed to city dictating, ‘This is what you’re going to pay,’ and the other city going, ‘Okay,’” he said.
Key Colony Beach recently held a commission election. Mayor Freddie Foster was reelected, while newcomer Lynn Benton was elected to the commission. Benton is expected to take office at the commission’s organizational meeting in December.
Bartus also thanked outgoing Commissioner Kirk Diehl for his service, saying Diehl has made significant contributions to the city and will remain involved in the community, including helping organize the 70th anniversary celebration.
The city is also working with Monroe County and other municipalities on long-term resiliency planning in response to coastal flooding and rising water levels.
Bartus said Key Colony Beach experienced some street flooding during recent king tide events, but generally fared well.
“We did have a couple of streets get some water, but for the most part we’re fairly high and dry,” he said.
The city is participating in vulnerability assessments to identify low-lying areas and develop strategies for addressing future flooding. Those efforts could include road elevation projects.
Bartus said the assessments are important because they help municipalities establish the groundwork needed to pursue state and federal grant funding.
“You set this up with a vulnerability assessment, you set this up with all the things you need to put in place that give you the mechanism to go out and find state and federal grant funding for some of the projects you’re going to need to do,” he said.
The city’s recreation committee is also scheduled to discuss several grant applications, including Tourist Development Council capital projects grants and Florida recreation grants. Bartus said those opportunities help support recreation projects while keeping the tax burden down for local residents.
Outside his city administrator duties, Bartus is also preparing for several upcoming events through Presents in Paradise, the nonprofit organization founded by his wife to help children and families in the community.
The organization’s inaugural golf tournament is scheduled for Saturday at Florida Keys Country Club. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and Bartus said there may still be room for additional players.
The tournament will feature team awards, proximity prizes, contests and a raffle. Bartus is even putting one of his guitars up for a hole-in-one contest.
“I am not a good golfer, but that’s why they call it golf, because all the other four-letter words were already taken,” he joked.
Bartus thanked Stan Haines of Florida Keys Country Club for helping organize the tournament, as well as the sponsors and community members who donated prizes.
Another fundraiser is planned for Saturday, November 28, at the Elks Lodge in Marathon. The spaghetti dinner will include a large silent auction and a 50-50 raffle, with food catered by Frank’s Grill.
Bartus and longtime musical friend Freddie Bay will also provide entertainment. The pair have jokingly named their musical act “Two Old Guys Playing Guitars.”
Bartus said community support has helped Presents in Paradise bring Christmas happiness to more than 10,000 children over the years.
He also thanked Havana Jacks for hosting the organization’s recent Boo Bash costume contest and recognized the businesses, volunteers and media partners who help promote its events.
Residents can find information about upcoming events and ways to support Presents in Paradise through the organization’s website and Facebook page. Bartus also shares event updates on his personal Facebook page.
Bartus said he remains grateful for the community support that makes the organization’s work possible.