Key West Commission Advances Reforms, Honors Kaufman for Decade of Service, and Stalls UNESCO Funding Bid
The Key West City Commission’s October 9 meeting mixed progress, ceremony, and lingering controversy — as commissioners advanced long-promised reform measures, honored Commissioner Sam Kaufman for 10 years of service, and declined to move forward on funding the city’s UNESCO Creative City of Literature bid.
The session marked a turning point in the city’s ongoing response to the 2025 Monroe County Grand Jury report, which called for sweeping ethics and transparency reforms following revelations of misconduct inside Key West’s Building and Code Enforcement departments.
UNESCO Funding Effort Falters — for Now
A proposal to allocate $75,000 to help fund the first year of the city’s UNESCO Creative City of Literature campaign failed to gain traction Thursday night — dying for lack of a second after Mayor Danise Henriquez called for a vote.
Commissioner Monica Haskell could not second the motion put forth by Kaufman due to a conflict of interest with the Key West Literary Seminar.
The funding would have signaled municipal support for efforts to elevate Key West’s literary identity and join the international UNESCO Creative Cities Network, highlighting the island’s storied connections to Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Shel Silverstein and others.
Supporters said the investment would strengthen the city’s cultural brand and promote sustainable tourism rooted in the arts. Opponents — including former Commissioner Margaret Romero — questioned whether public funds should be used for a project still under UNESCO review.
The measure’s failure does not end the effort, however. The initiative can return before the commission, and a final decision from UNESCO is expected by year’s end.
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Whistleblower and Inspector General Ordinances Advance
Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the Whistleblower Protection Act on first reading, providing legal safeguards for city employees who report corruption or retaliation.
They also approved, on final reading, the long-debated Independent Inspector General ordinance, sponsored by Commissioner Donie Lee, establishing an external watchdog with the authority to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse in city operations.
However, implementation of the position was delayed after Commissioner Lissette Carey raised procedural objections to the hiring process, effectively stalling the reform’s rollout.
The move drew sharp criticism from reform advocates and fellow commissioners who said it undermines the city’s effort to comply with the grand jury’s recommendations.
Audit Targets Ramsingh-Era Permits
Commissioners unanimously approved Commissioner Monica Haskell’s resolution directing staff to conduct a targeted audit of building permits issued or modified under former Chief Building Official Rajindhar “Raj” Ramsingh.
Ramsingh — along with his brother Rajendra “Ron” Ramsingh and former Code Enforcement Director Jim Young — faces 21 felony charges filed earlier this year following the grand jury investigation, which uncovered preferential treatment, conflicts of interest, and self-dealing in city permitting and enforcement practices.
The audit will focus on permits tied to developers, contractors, and realtors with personal or professional ties to Ramsingh’s office, as well as internal approvals granted outside of standard review channels.
“This is about restoring trust in the city’s permitting process,” Haskell said. “The public needs to know that Key West operates under one set of rules for everyone.”
Commission Honors Sam Kaufman
The meeting began on a celebratory note as Commissioner Sam Kaufman was honored for 10 years of service on the Key West City Commission.
Mayor Danise Henriquez, City Manager Brian Barroso, and fellow commissioners praised Kaufman’s record of steady leadership and public engagement. Over the past decade, Kaufman has sponsored or supported key initiatives including the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, sightseeing and e-bike ordinances, solar energy adoption for city projects, and measures strengthening affordable housing policy.
“Commissioner Kaufman has been a consistent voice for fairness, transparency, and working families,” Mayor Henriquez said. “His commitment to community has helped move this city forward.”
Kaufman, whose wife Julia joined him for the recognition, thanked city staff and residents for their partnership. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Key West,” he said.
Other Actions and Discussions
Legal Fee Reimbursement: Commissioner Lissette Carey renewed her controversial request for taxpayer reimbursement of her private legal fees from a failed recall challenge — a move that critics said flies in the face of the grand jury’s ethics findings.
DownsAaron Engagement: Commissioners approved the city’s engagement of attorney Mayanne Downs and her firm DownsAaron to assist in implementing the city’s new oversight and ethics framework.
Public Comment: Residents voiced concerns about the recently approved $131,000 Stantec water-quality monitoring contract and the ongoing Garrison Bight Marina lease disputes, calling for greater transparency and environmental accountability.
Progress, Caution, and Political Divide
Thursday’s meeting showcased a City Commission attempting to balance progress and politics — moving forward on long-overdue reform while grappling with competing visions for Key West’s cultural and fiscal priorities.
Although the ethics ordinances and audit signal forward motion, the delay of the Inspector General appointment and the failure to fund the UNESCO bid reflected continued divisions at 1300 White Street.
The UNESCO matter is expected to return for discussion, with a final decision from UNESCO’s international committee due by the end of 2025.
The next regular meeting of the Key West City Commission is scheduled for November 5 at City Hall, 1300 White Street.