The race for three open seats on the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District Board of Commissioners has three candidates running so far. Qualifying ends on Friday, June 12. Commissioners are paid per board meeting they attend. The rate for FY 2020 is $444.47 per meeting and is adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Board meetings are scheduled for twice a month.Â
Alphabetically, the candidates are Kay Cullen, Sue Heim and Nicholas Rodriguez. Each candidate was asked the following three questions, and their answers appear below their pictures and information.
1. A few years ago KLWTD lowered rates. How did you make that happen? Are further rate cuts planned, and, if so, where will necessary budget cuts come from?
2. If elected, do you plan to connect the rest of the people in the Upper Keys who have not yet been sewered?
3. The county’s climate resilience plan to raise roads to combat saltwater intrusion could involve having to modify or move utilities. What timeline and budget would you recommend for accomplishing this necessary work?
Kay Cullen
Age: 73
Education: Degrees in education and allied legal services from UCF
Current residence: Key Largo
Professional background: Paralegal in Upper Keys
Political party: Republican
Current job: Business owner in Key Largo and instructor of emergency medical technician classes at the College of the Florida Keys for Key Largo Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
1. The rate reduction referred to in this question went into effect in January 2020. I was not a sitting commissioner at the time this matter was before the Board; however, it is a decision I whole-heartedly support. At this time, there are no plans for a further rate reduction.
2. With the exception of those parcels of land that may have a DEP-approved septic system, or are, in any other way, exempt from connection, all remaining parcels should be connected to the sewer once a building permit has been granted for that parcel. If elected, I will work with staff to ensure that all parcels that are required to be connected to the sewer system get connected. Â
3. At this time, Monroe County has not released its design plans for raising roads in the low-lying areas of the Upper Keys. Without access to the county’s plans, it is impossible for the wastewater board to make any decisions concerning a timeline or budget requirements for this much-needed work. Â
Sue Heim (incumbent)
Age: No response
Education:Â Syracuse U, Onondaga Community College, Keuka College
Current residence: Key Largo
Professional Background: 30+ years insurance companies as state filer (statistical analyst, liaison between company and state insurance departments and detail police), customer service rep, policy underwriting & issuance.).
Volunteer affiliations: Tavernier Volunteer Fire Dept Inc, USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 13-8 Islamorada.
Political party: Republican
Current job: Retired.
1. During my tenure, the KLWTD Board of Directors maintained strict budgetary controls and took advantage of cutting-edge technology to reduce costs annually. As a result, the district was able to pass these savings on to its customers in the form of reduced rates.
I am committed to finding and implementing other cost-saving measures for the benefit of the district’s customers.
2. I am proud to say that over 99 percent of KLWTD customers are now connected to our wastewater collection system. The subdivision located in Cross Key is expected to be served by a decentralized plant constructed and operated by the FKAA by the end of the year.
3. The KLWTD is working closely with Monroe County to develop plans to protect our sewage collection and treatment infrastructure.
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Nick Rodriguez (incumbent)
Age: 35
Education: Broward College
Current residence: Key Largo
Professional background: restaurant operations
Political Party: Democratic
Current job: General manager, Mrs. Mac’s KitchensÂ
1. The Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to lower rates 15% with Resolution 22-12-19 on Dec. 10, 2019. Long-term, responsible financial planning by the District led to the ability to be able to lower rates and maintain high-quality service to our community. We will continue in our fiscal diligence and are pursuing several environmentally friendly projects including solar power and re-use water, that will assist the district in long-term expenses through utility and chemical savings. The district’s success in obtaining grant funding has allowed these cutting-edge projects to generate immediate savings for our customers.
2. We connect new customers as necessary, several a month. By year-end, we hope to be 100% compliant.
3. We are engaged and communicating with the county and are reviewing their plans as they develop.
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