https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/392/Mayors-Office

Mayor Sam Kaufman - City of Key West, 1300 White Street, Key West, FL (2026)

10/27/2026

Great News for Affordable Housing in Key West!

I had a productive conversation this morning with Randy Sterling, Executive Director of the Key West Housing Authority, who shared some very encouraging news!

The proposed redevelopment of Lang B. Milian Apartments has been ranked first in its category for state housing funding!

The project would replace 136 aging public housing units with 150 new units. With additional funding being considered by the City Commission on November 5, the project could expand to 196 affordable housing units.

My office has been requesting information about available Monroe County Land Authority funds that could support affordable housing projects just like this one. I support this redevelopment and will advocate for the additional funding needed to make the expanded project possible.

Final funding approvals are still pending, but this is an exciting opportunity for our community.

Thank you to Randy Sterling and the Housing Authority team for their hard work, and to Vice Mayor Lee, our Commission liaison to the Housing Authority, for his leadership and involvement.

The timing is especially meaningful as we prepare for tomorrow's Affordable Housing Town Hall at 5:30 PM at City Hall.

I hope you'll join us as we discuss how to make more progress on affordable housing for Key West residents!

10/26/2026

Key West City Hall is thinking pink! 💗

It was wonderful joining our City employees in wearing pink to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This is an important reminder to support those battling breast cancer, honor survivors, remember those we've lost, and encourage early detection and regular screenings.

Thank you to our City employees for coming together to raise awareness and show support for everyone affected by breast cancer.

Proud to stand with our Key West City family! 💗

10/26/2026

Affordable Housing Town Hall – Wednesday, October 28

Affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing Key West, and I want to hear from you!

Please join me this Wednesday, October 28, at 5:30 PM at City Hall for a community Town Hall meeting focused on affordable housing.

We'll discuss the challenges facing our residents and working families, the need for more affordable housing, existing housing opportunities, and what we can do to move forward.

Most importantly, I want to hear your concerns, ideas, and suggestions. Your voices matter, and we need to work together on real solutions.

Wednesday, October 28 | 5:30 PM | Key West City Hall

I hope to see you there!

Mayor Sam Kaufman

10/25/2026

It's not even 5 AM, and our City crews are already hard at work!

I just spent some time with our incredible Public Works and Community Services employees as they clean up Duval Street after another amazing Fantasy Fest!

While most of us are sleeping, these dedicated men and women are working hard to get our streets cleaned up and ready for another day.

A huge THANK YOU to every one of them! We appreciate all you do for Key West! ❤️🌴

10/24/2026

🎭🌴 Welcome to the Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West! 🎉

Fantasy Fest is one of Key West's most colorful and exciting traditions, and we're looking forward to a fantastic parade tonight!

A warm welcome to everyone visiting our island, and a special thank you to the local residents, businesses, artists, performers, volunteers, and organizers who help make this celebration possible year after year.

As we enjoy the festivities, let's remember a few things:

🚶 Celebrate safely. Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists, use designated crossings, and plan ahead for street closures and transportation.

💙 Look out for one another. Celebrate responsibly, stay hydrated, and help keep Key West safe and welcoming for everyone.

🛍️ Support our local businesses. Stop by our locally owned restaurants, bars, shops, and other businesses. They are an important part of what makes Key West special, and your support makes a difference.

🚮 Keep our island beautiful. Please use trash and recycling containers and help us keep our streets and neighborhoods clean.

A special thank you to our Key West Police Department, Fire Department, emergency responders, City staff, and everyone working to keep the festivities safe and enjoyable.

Have a wonderful Fantasy Fest Parade! Enjoy the creativity, celebrate our community, and show everyone the welcoming spirit of One Human Family!

Mayor Sam Kaufman
City of Key West

🎭🌈🌴

10/23/2026

A Message to Our Key West Community

I hear the concerns being expressed by members of our Key West community about immigration enforcement activities, and I share many of those concerns.

I know that some of our neighbors are living with fear and uncertainty. Many of the people expressing these concerns are U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or others who have legal status in the United States. These concerns affect families throughout our community, regardless of immigration status.

I have heard from residents who are worried about taking their children to school, seeking medical care, or contacting the police when they need help. I have also heard concerns about immigration-related stops and detentions, how our local police are involved, and what information is being shared with the public.

These concerns deserve our attention, and I take them seriously.

Key West has always been a community of people from many different backgrounds and places. Our immigrant neighbors are our friends, coworkers, business owners, parents, and families. They are an important part of what makes Key West such a special place.

I want everyone who calls Key West home to know that they matter and deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

I recognize that federal immigration authorities have responsibilities under federal law. I also believe that all law enforcement activities must respect constitutional rights and be carried out fairly and lawfully.

As Mayor, I have met with our Chief of Police and representatives of the Key West Police Department to discuss these issues. I am continuing to follow up on questions and concerns raised by residents, including the role of our local police officers in federal immigration enforcement.

My office is also looking at what other Florida cities are doing, particularly how they communicate with the public about federal immigration operations and the involvement of local police departments.

I believe our community deserves clear and accurate information about what is happening and what role our City government plays.

I want to be careful not to make promises that are beyond the authority of the Mayor or City government. But I can assure you that I am listening, asking questions, and working to better understand what steps may be available to us under the law.

I also want to hear directly from you. If you have concerns, questions, or experiences you would like to share, please write to me at [email protected].

We may not all agree on immigration policy, but we can agree that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, that constitutional rights matter, and that public safety depends on trust between our community and law enforcement.

Key West is a community that cares about its neighbors. That should never change.

I will continue following up on these issues and sharing information with our community as it becomes available.

Mayor Sam Kaufman

10/23/2026

Keeping Key West Beautiful — One Cleanup at a Time! 🌴🌊

What a great way to start the morning!

I stopped by the City Marina at Garrison Bight today to thank the wonderful volunteers from Plogging the Keys and the Sea Dogs Association, whose residents hosted this morning's cleanup.

It's inspiring to see neighbors coming together, giving their time and taking pride in keeping our community clean and beautiful.

These efforts make a real difference. Every piece of litter removed helps protect our waters, marine life and the special environment that makes Key West home.

A big thank-you to the Sea Dogs Association for hosting and to everyone who volunteered! Your dedication and community spirit are what make Key West such a special place to live.

Keeping Key West beautiful is a shared responsibility, and I'm grateful to everyone who helps make it happen.

Mayor Sam Kaufman

10/22/2026

🌴 Welcome to Fantasy Fest 2026! 🎉

Fantasy Fest is here, and Key West is ready to celebrate!

One of the things that makes Key West so special is our creativity, colorful spirit, and the wonderful people who make our island such a unique place. Fantasy Fest brings all of that together in a celebration unlike any other!

As we welcome visitors from near and far, let's remember to support our local businesses and the hardworking people who make Key West such a special place to visit and call home.

Enjoy our local restaurants, bars, shops, galleries, and entertainment. And please remember to take care of the people who take care of you: tip your servers and bartenders generously! Many of our hospitality workers put in especially long hours during Fantasy Fest, and they deserve our appreciation.

🚦 Most importantly, let's celebrate safely!

Please drink responsibly, never drink and drive, use taxis or rideshares when needed, watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists, and look out for one another. Be respectful of our residents, neighborhoods, and public spaces, and help keep our beautiful island clean.

A special thank you to the Fantasy Fest organizers, volunteers, local businesses, City employees, police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel who work hard to make this celebration possible.

Whether you're a longtime local or visiting our island for the first time, we hope you have a wonderful Fantasy Fest!

🎉 Have fun, celebrate safely, support local, and enjoy the magic of Key West! 🌈

Sam Kaufman
Mayor of Key West

10/21/2026

I recently attended the Key West Lodging Association luncheon, where Monroe County officials provided an informative presentation on proposed Amendment 3, which will appear on the November 3 ballot.

The presentation addressed potential changes to Florida's property tax system and their projected effects on homeowners, businesses, and local government revenues.

Some of the figures discussed included:

🏠 Homestead exemptions: The proposal would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.

🏢 Non-homestead properties: The proposal would reduce the maximum annual increase in assessed values for non-homesteaded properties, including businesses and rental properties, from 10% to 5%.

📊 County revenue projections: Initial state estimates projected approximately $9 million in reduced Monroe County property tax revenues in 2027 and $17.5 million in 2028. Updated County projections, incorporating anticipated property value changes, instead estimated approximately $287,000 in additional revenue in 2027 and a cumulative $1.52 million increase in 2028.

💰 County operating expenses: County officials also presented anticipated annual increases in operating expenses of approximately $12.5 million.

These figures are estimates based on the assumptions used in the presentations and are subject to change.

Thank you to Key West Lodging Association President Max Mungall for hosting the luncheon, and to Monroe County Commissioners Craig Cates and Jim Scholl, County Administrator Christine Hurley, and County finance staff for their participation and presentation.

I appreciate the opportunity to attend and receive information directly from our County officials.

The public can find additional information about Amendment 3 and the County's analysis on the Monroe County website:

[https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/1434/Amendment-3-Tax-Reform](https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/1434/Amendment-3-Tax-Reform)

Sam Kaufman
Mayor of Key West

10/21/2026

Welcoming New Leadership to the College of the Florida Keys

Mayor Sam Kaufman had the pleasure of meeting with Jared Ochs, the new president of the College of the Florida Keys, on just his second day in Key West!

President Ochs comes to our community from Tallahassee, bringing years of experience in state government and public service.

Mayor Kaufman has long believed that the City of Key West and the College of the Florida Keys have tremendous opportunities to work more closely together. From education and workforce development to expanding opportunities for our young people and local residents, a strong partnership can make a real difference for our community.

The Mayor enjoyed a positive and encouraging conversation with President Ochs and looks forward to working together in support of the College, its students, faculty, staff, and the people of the Florida Keys.

And what better way to welcome someone to our island home than with a Conch Republic flag! Mayor Kaufman was happy to present President Ochs with one as a symbol of Key West's unique history, character, and community spirit.

Welcome to Key West, President Ochs!

Mayor Sam Kaufman - City of Key West

10/27/2026

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