Key Colony Beach has strong field of candidates

With changes to the Key Colony Beach charter, there will be three seats decided in the 2020 election. Of the four candidates, three are incumbents. 

The nonpartisan race will be decided in the November general election. Currently seated are Mayor John DeNeale and Commissioner April Tracy. Up for re-election are Commissioner Kimmeron Lisle, Vice Mayor Ronald Sutton and Secretary Treasurer Patricia Trefry. Newcomer Thomas Harding is challenging for a seat. This is an at-large election, meaning the top three vote-getters will be seated on the dais for four-year terms. 

Key Colony Beach was established in 1957, a tiny hamlet just north of Marathon connected to Overseas Highway by the Sadowski Causeway. 

Commissioners earn an annual salary of $11,550.12 and the mayor earns $15,399.48 annually.  

The Keys Weekly asked each candidate to answer the following three questions in 100 words or less. Answers appear as submitted. 

1. Many in Key Colony Beach say the increasing percentage of vacation rentals is affecting the neighborhood character. While Key Colony Beach cannot make major changes to its vacation rental rules without evoking state control, are there any small steps the city can take? What are they?
2. How do you feel about the Army Corps of Engineers’ classification of 56 properties in Key Colony Beach as potentials for “mandatory acquisition?” Do you think Key Colony Beach should opt out the proposed program that intends to address sea level rise?
3. The state of Florida declined to direct $500,000 toward the construction of Key Colony Beach’s new city hall this fiscal year 2020-21. Should the project be delayed? Does the city have enough revenue or savings to pay for it?

Name: Thomas Harding

Age: 62

Current job: Retired

How many years in the Keys: 17

1. KCB has 34% of the residents who rent their homes or condominiums for vacation rentals. I have experience in vacation rentals, and with the proper management oversight and adequate personnel to support the business, they can be a positive experience for both the resident and the city. I would solicit feedback from concerned residents, and the city staff to define the best items to further improve on. From my experience we need additional education to residents, who rent to assure everyone has a copy of the KCB rules. We should have city staff dedicated to weekend education and enforcement.
2. Sea level rise needs to be planned for, to protect our residents and our city. I agree with the Monroe County waiver request for not supporting the mandatory acquisition. I do agree acquisition should be on a voluntary basis. I believe we need to better understand each property in the city and develop a plan with the Army Corps for floodproofing and elevation. KCB needs a dedicated leader to represent the city, working cooperatively with the Army Corps. With my professional engineering experience and storm protection/clean-up background that I have, I could lead this activity for the city.
3. For funding of the new KCB city hall, I would improve the transparency of the city’s financial status regarding potential tax revenue or state/bank loans to backfill the $500,000. Florida does offer low interest loans to support infrastructure improvements. A detailed cash flow analysis is helpful, similar to what I did on the $5M KCB Utility Board Wastewater Plant project, to determine the timing and the lowest cost option for funding of the city hall. I would not delay the project, but I would complete a review of cash flow vs. options, including the current city loan debt.

Name:  Kimmeron Lisle

Age:  56

Current job:  Retired

How many years in the Keys::  8 years

1. If we don’t make an effort to attract families and full time residents, Key Colony Beach will become an island of investors whose only stake in our City is financial. KCB has assets, strengths and opportunities we can cultivate and promote in order to attract new full time residents. Those assets include an outdoor lifestyle, family friendly amenities, neighborhood safety and a wonderful sense of community. A new initiative that builds on and promotes these existing strengths is an easy and cost effective measure that can be undertaken to begin addressing this pressing need.  
2. I am against any proposal by any government agency to acquire private property through eminent domain, mandatory acquisition or any manner.  However, Key Colony Beach must participate in programs that address rising sea levels. This unprecedented challenge can only be met through coordinated efforts between local, state, and national governments. Because of its unique location, KCB should always be a part of any program directed at mitigating sea level rise in the Florida Keys. Only through a collaborative effort can we keep our City safe and above water. 
3. Our City has the ability to adapt to these changing circumstances and the City Hall project should not be delayed. We have a government and citizenry who understand that a little belt tightening goes a long way toward moving forward in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner. Plans can be redrawn and expectations revised to build within the FEMA grant and budgeted monies for the project. As a city commissioner, I am steadfast on fiscal conservatism and will continue to advocate for a City Hall that reflects the needs and moderate size that our small community can be proud of.  

Name: Ron Sutton

Age: 71

Current job: Vice Mayor

How many years in the Keys: First home 1997; full time resident 2001

1. We have ordinances in place already (noise, number of guests in each rental unit, and our own City police boat patrol).
2. Our City attorney and City administrator are working on this now. It’s too early to opt out yet.
3. No, we need to keep going forward. We are checking all sources for funding.

Name: Patricia Trefry

Age: 58

Current job: Retired small business owner

How many years in the Keys:: 7 years as a full-time resident

1. Enforcement of our current ordinances is critical to maintaining a balance between resident’s quality of life and vacation rentals  Our PD is hiring two additional officers, one dedicated to marine patrol and code enforcement. This is a step in the right direction towards easing tensions and preserving our sense of community. Tallahassee has tied our hands pertaining to additional regulations for vacation rentals. Preserving Home Rule is imperative. We must continue to fight the powerful lobbies of Airbnb and VRBO in order to protect this important right granted to us by the Florida constitution.

2. I absolutely do not support mandatory acquisition of Key Colony Beach properties. The only presentation by the US Army Corps of Engineers to the KCB commission left me with many more questions than were answered. I firmly believe that there are other mitigation strategies for our property owners to address sea level rise and preserve their property values.
3. The Governor’s budget cuts were expected considering the loss of state revenues due to COVID-19. The $500,000 was only one part of funding for the City Hall project. As City Treasurer, I am very mindful of the fiduciary responsibility we have to our taxpayers. We have been fiscally conservative and have greatly increased our unrestricted cash reserves since Hurricane Irma. Our ad valorem income remains strong. We are anticipating $3.27 million from a FEMA specialized project grant and are exploring low interest rate funding. Currently, I do not feel a delay will be necessary.