Key West Mayor Sam Kaufman joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM yesterday morning to talk about what’s going on in the city.
Kaufman will preside over his first City Commission meeting Thursday, promising a greater emphasis on public input while outlining priorities ranging from affordable housing and infrastructure to water quality and public transportation. He wants residents to feel comfortable bringing concerns directly to City Hall and emphasized that his administration will work with all residents, regardless of how they voted in the recent election.
“I want you to feel like you’ll have sufficient time because we want to hear from you,” Kaufman said.
Thursday’s agenda is expected to include more than 40 items, including housing, Higgs Beach, budget matters, staffing levels, the city attorney contract and environmental issues.
Kaufman said the city’s upcoming budget will not include a tax increase. He also said he intends to push for a tax decrease, noting that he has opposed tax increases for the past 11 years.
Housing is among the mayor’s major priorities. The commission is expected to consider a housing assessment designed to identify the community’s unmet housing needs and determine how the city’s limited resources can best be used.
Kaufman said the assessment could examine residents’ income levels and determine what types of housing are most needed, including one-, two- and three-bedroom units.
The mayor also wants to take another look at the proposed Fire Station 3 project and the amount of debt service associated with it.
Kaufman said he strongly supports having a first-class new fire station but questioned whether the city can afford a project costing between $32 million and $42 million.
He said the city should prioritize maintaining existing infrastructure, including roads and the diesel plant, while making necessary reductions to the fire station project if possible.
Kaufman also said he does not want to reduce the city workforce or terminate current employees.
Higgs Beach will be another major topic. The commission is expected to consider moving forward with a master planning process for the area, which includes the dog park, pickleball facilities, the African cemetery, East Martello Fort and a seawall in need of repairs.
Kaufman said the city should aggressively pursue grants to pay for improvements at Higgs Beach rather than raising taxes.
Parking at Higgs Beach could also become part of future discussions.
Sargassum removal is another issue receiving increased attention. The city plans to hold a special meeting Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. at City Hall to discuss a pilot project aimed at removing sargassum from the water.
Kaufman said he believes Key West could become the first city in the nation, and certainly in Florida, to seek permits for that type of removal.
The mayor also wants to revisit the city’s public transportation system, particularly service to Stock Island.
Kaufman said there currently is not an adequate level of service for the workforce on Stock Island and that the city and county need to work together to address the problem.
He also wants to examine the frequency of a new route planned to circulate the island. Kaufman said service every hour may not be sufficient and suggested that 45-minute or even 30-minute service would provide a more useful system.
Kaufman said the city also needs to determine how to transition from existing programs, including Key West Rides, while ensuring residents who depend on public transportation continue to have workable options.
Looking further ahead, Kaufman said he wants to narrow the city’s strategic priorities so residents can clearly see what has been accomplished over the next one or two years.
The existing strategic plan focuses on infrastructure, financial sustainability, climate adaptation and environmental resilience. Kaufman said those areas remain important but believes the city needs more specific and measurable priorities.
He plans to propose a workshop involving the new commission and more public input, with additional strategic-plan discussions expected in October or November.
For Kaufman, the immediate focus is Thursday’s first meeting with the new commission and establishing a governing approach centered on public participation, financial discipline and addressing the city’s infrastructure, housing, environmental and transportation needs.