On top of an extensive discussion over Marathon’s recently-terminated fire chief, the city council tackled a packed agenda in its May 12 meeting, approving rising costs for the Sombrero Boulevard drainage project and a new splash pad at Marathon Community Park while hearing updates on the city’s long-term plans to combat sea level rise.
Press for golf course progress
Led by prior city council candidates Dustin Huff and David Perry, public commenters pressed the council and staff for updates on the Florida Keys Country Club property on Sombrero Boulevard.
The property, currently under redevelopment as the Florida Keys Resort, has remained a lightning rod of debate for multiple years, with several long-time residents questioning the property’s silt fence and modifications of its central lake, exterior berm and mangrove shorelines – several of which were the subject of prior warnings or violations from the South Florida Water Management District.
Those concerns resurfaced at the council meeting, as Huff and Perry renewed their push for updates on the resort’s progress.
“The project was represented to the public as a redevelopment centered around an 18-hole golf course and community amenities. The golf course was not a side issue – it helped justify the approvals and gain community support,” said Huff. “The people of Marathon acted in good faith, but here we are more than 10 years later, and what has the public actually seen? Years of little meaningful progress.”
Building Official Gerard Roussin told the council and commenters that the resort’s development agreement was extended multiple times due to Hurricane Irma and other building extensions, while in-progress inspections each add 180 days to the property’s active permits. He said the project’s current berm and silt fencing were adequate as the resort continues construction.
“Everything that’s going on right now is in the interim,” said acting City Manager Steve Williams. “But when the time, date and place comes when they want (Certificates of Occupancy) for residences or buildings out there, if they don’t meet the approved plans, it will not be granted. If they’re doing things in the interim that they’re not supposed to, (the Department of Environmental Protection) is free to investigate – that’s not our call.”
Rising seas equal major costs
As Marathon works to combat the effects of rising sea levels, king tides and stormwater, already responsible for localized flooding on some city roadways, the council heard an update on its roadway vulnerability study, intended to address 34 identified project areas by the year 2045.
Costs to address the areas total roughly $794 million, representatives from government and utility management consulting firm Raftelis told the council – about $17 million per mile of affected road, primarily using a combination of road raising and sloping projects, barrier walls, collection gutters and pump systems for water disposal.
Funds for the project, while admittedly a “sticker shock,” could come partially through multiple grant programs and a local match, including the Resilient Florida program, to offset capital costs. Depending on the severity of the issues, the city could choose to upgrade only some project areas, or establish localized taxing units to pay for projects in individual neighborhoods.
Bills rise on Sombrero Boulevard
The council unanimously approved a change order of $266,225 for the Sombrero Boulevard drainage project, presented as one of two options by engineer Steve Suggs of Weiler Engineering.
A first option, at a cost of $57,038, addresses necessary fixes — a pipe support structure for the project’s stormwater injection well, extending driveway transitions to private properties along the road to prevent flooding, and replacing a failing road sub-base at the Manor Lane intersection. The second option, approved by council, adds a leveling course of asphalt to enhance the road’s smoothness and durability – a component that Suggs said was removed from the scope of the original project bids as a cost-saving measure.
Council members said they were concerned with rising costs for the project, which has already seen multiple change orders totaling more than $400,000 for what some felt are predictable expenses. Unanimously approving the change order including the leveling course, they asked that $2,940 in costs for the stainless steel pipe support be paid by contractor Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc.
In other news:
- Williams updated the council on Marathon’s search for its next manager. Staff received 63 applications by the time of the meeting, he said, which will be scored and ranked by a five-member internal team. Applications will remain open as the city moves forward with individual interviews with council members for top candidates.
- A splash pad is on its way to Marathon Community Park, with expenses of up to $700,000 approved by the council for construction by SplashPads USA. The pad will be installed next to the city’s new skate park, already under construction. Costs are offset by a $500,000 donation given to the city through United Way. Director of Engineering Carlos Solis told the council that construction on the pad should begin in June after completion of the skate park.
- While continuation of the city’s nonprofit grant funding program remains up for discussion in 2026-27 following strict state guidance of public funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and a potential elimination of property taxes, the council gave direction to move forward with its 2026 funding cycle, already approved in Marathon’s 2025-26 budget. Marathon nonprofits providing essential community services, or enhancing the quality of life while addressing community needs, are invited to apply for a portion of $100,000 in available funds. An application is available by scanning the attached QR code.
- Following several last-minute additions to recent city council agendas, council members committed to providing agenda items to city staff by Monday of the week prior to each council meeting. The reinforced deadline will allow for all items to be included in the city’s published agenda available for public viewing, with the exception of time-sensitive emergency items.
- Williams announced that former Keys Citizen executive editor Chris Seymour will serve as the city’s new Public Information Officer, replacing former PIO Carlos Garcia on May 18.
- Following the termination of Fire Chief James Muro earlier this month, current Marathon Fire Rescue lieutenant Shana Rogers will serve as the city’s interim fire chief until a replacement is selected.
- Finance Director Jennifer Johnson laid out Marathon’s schedule to approve its 2026-27 budget. A meeting on Tuesday, July 21 will set the preliminary millage rate — dollars paid by property owners per $1,000 of taxable home value, able to be reduced but not raised at future meetings. Public hearings on Sept. 15 and 22 will discuss the city’s general fund budget as well as special revenue funds, adjusting the millage if needed, and final approval will theoretically come at the close of the Sept. 22 meeting.
