Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco is urging residents to vote against the village’s stormwater charter referendum and Florida’s Amendment 3 on Nov. 3, arguing that both could limit local control over infrastructure and services.

Rasco outlined his position in an Oct. 21 commentary in the Islander News. He said elected council members should remain responsible for evaluating major projects and their long-term financial consequences.

Stormwater referendum

The proposed charter amendment would require majority voter approval for stormwater or flood prevention projects estimated to collectively exceed $50 million within three fiscal years, including work divided into separate projects or phases. The village links to the official sample ballot on its election information page.

Rasco argued that engineering, financing, permitting and maintenance decisions require extended review. He also warned that changing the charter would affect future councils and that undoing the provision would require another amendment.

The petition emerged amid controversy over the village’s previous stormwater plan. A preliminary elections review accepted 913 signatures, exceeding the 839 required, WLRN reported June 4. Supporters organized with the Key Biscayne Neighbors Association.

Council member Ed London told WLRN that he no longer considered the amendment necessary after the council voted 7-0 to abandon the earlier “Big Dig” plan. However, he said the petition reflected residents’ distrust of village government.

Property tax changes

Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments afterward. It would also lower the annual assessment-growth cap for non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, excluding school district taxes. The statewide constitutional amendment requires at least 60% voter approval.

Rasco questioned how reduced county revenue could affect Bear Cut Bridge, the Rickenbacker Causeway and regional services. Those are concerns he raised, rather than announced funding cuts to particular projects.

Miami-Dade County estimates that, at current tax rates, the amendment would reduce its annual property tax collections by about $385.8 million beginning in October 2027 and $696.7 million beginning in October 2028.

Election Day details

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. According to the village, Key Biscayne residents vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Key Biscayne Community Center, 10 Village Green Way. Residents should review their sample ballot and confirm voting information through the elections office.