With the issues of affordability and tourism taking the forefront in city politics post-pandemic, Key West is seeking to crack down on the persistent problem of unlicensed short-term rentals that
While not formally voting on whether to accept a federal grant to rebuild and expand the ship docking pier at Mallory Square, Key West City Commissioners promised to adhere to the cruise ship limits imposed by last Novemberâs referendum.
The commission agreed to postpone a vote on the matter until its next meeting, June 2. However, several commissioners were leaning toward accepting the $521,835 grant, which will require the city to add a $174,000 match for its 25% share of the phased construction project.
Delaying the vote until June 2 will give city Port and Marine Services Director Doug Bradshaw time to discuss modifying the project with state officials â who are administering the grant â to either reduce the size of the proposed pier expansion, which proposes to approximately double its length to 200 feet, and/or insert language that would specifically only allow smaller ships that adhere to the referendum limits to dock there.
While it is too soon to know whether property taxes will increase in the upcoming Key West fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, so far the numbers are looking positive,
Key West City Manager Greg Veliz may not be in that role much longer, as he has agreed to take a senior administrative position with the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority.
On Friday, the FKAA board voted unanimously in its selection of Veliz for the deputy director position at the FKAA. He was among 49 people who applied from around the country and Canada.
âOf the 49 candidates, he was absolutely the best choice, and he will be the best fit,â FKAA board member Cara Higgins said.
Upon being chosen, Veliz told the board he would accept the position, Higgins said. His contract with the city requires him to give the city a 90-day notice, he told the board.