The city of Marathon is moving towards appointing an interim official to a permanent role, with the City Council expressing support for hiring current interim City Manager and City Attorney Steve Williams for the permanent City Manager position. The council discussed the matter on August 11, with a formal vote anticipated in September. This decision follows the withdrawal of the two other finalists for the City Manager role. Council members, including Vice Mayor Debbie Struyf, Mayor Lynny Del Gaizo, and Councilman Kenny Matlock, indicated their comfort with Williams, with Del Gaizo noting he "grew into the position." Councilman Lynn Landry raised a concern that Williams could not simultaneously hold both the City Manager and City Attorney roles permanently. In response, Williams stated he would inquire about Assistant City Attorney Alli Heller's interest in taking over the City Attorney position. The city may also engage the services of the Islamorada-based law firm Vernis and Bowling, which has previously assisted Marathon.

Property Insurance Concerns and Updates

Mel Montagne, president of Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM), provided an update on property insurance rates for Middle Keys homeowners. He reported that Citizens Property Insurance's rates for 2026, effective July 1, include a 5.7% decrease for Monroe County wind-only homeowners policies and a 6.3% decrease for wind-only condo unit-owner policies. However, Montagne also highlighted an ongoing issue concerning roof permits and Citizens' nonrenewal policies. Citizens may refuse to renew coverage if a roof does not meet age or condition standards, or may require documentation of a full roof replacement rather than a coating. Homeowners need to provide a roofing contract with proof of payment or a completed building permit with photos. Montagne urged Marathon officials to improve the clarity and consistency of permit language and documentation practices to align with Citizens' requirements. He noted that Citizens, intended as the state's insurer of last resort, has significantly reduced its policy count statewide. In the Keys, where building standards and insurance costs are high, Citizens is often the most affordable option. Montagne encouraged Keys homeowners to attend an upcoming town hall meeting with Citizens leadership in Marathon on August 25, from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Deep Injection Well Project Progress

Engineer Steve Suggs presented an update on Marathon's $70 million deep injection well project. Pipeline installation is progressing along U.S. 1, with the active work area scheduled to move from between 105th and 115th Street to between 83rd and 72nd Street, eventually nearing Marathon Community Park by October. Another phase of pipeline construction on Grassy Key is pending Florida Department of Transportation approval for traffic pattern changes, with work expected to commence later in the year. Construction will pause during periods of heavy traffic, including Labor Day weekend, Fantasy Fest, and from Thanksgiving through the new year. A federal court settlement mandates the completion of the deep well by the end of 2028. Suggs expressed confidence in meeting the timeline, though he acknowledged that the subsequent construction of the wastewater facility and holding tanks will be critical. A second drill rig is expected to speed up pipeline drilling, but potential delays in equipment lead times for later phases could impact the project's schedule. Only two Florida contractors are equipped to construct the deep disposal well itself, which will pump treated wastewater 3,600 feet underground from a facility on Avenue I off Coco Plum Drive. Suggs anticipates receiving the permit for the well by October or November. While expected grant funding and state appropriations, along with a $10 million bank line of credit and low-interest State Revolving Fund loans, are projected to cover a substantial portion of the cost, a $13.2 million funding gap remains. The completed well is designed to accommodate all current and future wastewater needs for Marathon, with the potential to connect Duck Key homes. Connecting to Key Colony Beach's sewer system was deemed too costly and would require a larger pipeline.

For more details on city management discussions, refer to the Keys Weekly report. Information on Florida's property insurance market can be found through Florida Realtors.