Key Biscayne voters will decide in November whether the Village Council must obtain voter approval before spending more than $50 million on stormwater or flood-control projects over a three-fiscal-year period.

The Village Council voted Tuesday, July 7, to place a citizen-petitioned charter amendment on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election ballot. If approved, the measure would require a public referendum before the village could spend more than $50 million on a single flood-prevention project, or a combination of related projects, within a three-fiscal-year period.

The amendment would create a new Section 4.16 of the Village Charter.

Citizen petition qualified the charter amendment for the ballot

The proposal reached the ballot through the village's citizen initiative process under Section 6.02 of the Village Charter, which allows residents to propose charter amendments by collecting the required number of petition signatures.

The Key Biscayne Neighbors Association organized the petition drive.

Vote comes as village expands flood-control infrastructure

The ballot measure arrives as Key Biscayne continues investing in flood mitigation and stormwater infrastructure.

On June 18, the Village Council approved a land-use agreement with the Ocean Club to construct a new flood pump station. During a June 30 budget workshop, village officials also identified flood control and public safety as two of the largest priorities in the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget.

While the proposed budget totals approximately $44.5 million, village officials have not publicly detailed how much is allocated specifically for stormwater projects.

Amendment would require voter approval for projects exceeding $50 million

The proposed charter amendment would not prohibit large flood-control projects. Instead, it would require voter approval before the village could spend more than $50 million on stormwater or flood-prevention work over any three-fiscal-year period.

Supporters say the measure would give residents a direct voice in major infrastructure decisions as the island continues responding to flooding and sea-level rise.

Measure heads to the Nov. 3 ballot

Key Biscayne voters will decide the charter amendment during the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election.

Residents who want to review the complete ballot language may visit the Village Clerk's Office at 88 W. McIntyre St. or call (305) 365-5506.

The Village Council's next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Village Hall.