The City of Cedar Key Commission met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Commissioners present included: Jim Wortam, Nancy Sera, Jolie Davis, and Dell Weible. Mel Beckham was not in attendance.
STAFF RECOGNIZED
Mayor Wortham, speaking for the full commission, commented on how hard staff works daily and specifically recognized Clerk Heather Lang with a small token of the commissioners’ appreciation and many thanks. Lang was applauded by the nearly fifty-member audience.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Former Mayor Sue Colson registered the concern that at the last meeting, Commissioner Mel Beckham clearly articulated the following:
“I take this seat on the City Commission very seriously and am well aware that as mayor you not only become the face of the commission, but you also become the face of the decisions of the commission. Even if you vote in the minority you must fulfil and follow the commissions; decisions.”
“Let me be clear, there is no way on the planet that I’m going to be the face of the commission and stand up in public as though the decisions that will eventually be made by this commission were of my doing. Some of which will probably be made tonight. I respectfully decline the nomination.”
Shortly after that speech, which was extended with numerous negative allusions toward the new commissioner, the public that voted for him, and the commission as a hole, Beckham, oddly and surprisingly, accepted the role as Vice Mayor.
Colson questioned how it was possible that a person who says, “there is no way on the planet that I’m going to be the face of the commission and stand up in public as though the decisions that will eventually be made by this commission were of my doing.” could possibly represent the citizens of Cedar Key. Such comments are inconsistent and reflect upon the commission poorly, at the very least.
After repeating that she initially supported Bekham in his commissioner role, Colson suggested that he remain a commissioner but that he not be Vice Mayor.
Mayor Wortham thanked Colson for her input.
CEDAR KEY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT
NEXTOWER
General Manager John Rittenhouse again raised the Nextower contract discussion, the document that regulates action on the tower located off the island at the County Road 347 and SR 24 intersection. The contract is an agreement among the city, the CKWSD, and NexTower.
Rittenhouse expressed concern that the issue is timely. AT&T equipment is currently not on the tower. With AT&T comes First Net, equipment that assures communication among registered first responders and governmental personnel. With hurricane season upon us, wisdom fixates a finalized contract, Rittenhouse suggested.
The contract remains with the city’s and CKWS’s lawyers Unclear conversation involved the Federal Communications Commission authority in the matter.
WACCASASSA WATER AND WASTEWATER COOPERATIVE
Rittenhouse reported the following regarding the Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative.
• Thanks to recent legislation initiated by the cooperative, the W3C is now eligible to apply for 100% funding, instead of a prior maximum of 80%, funding for its wastewater efforts.
• To dictate, the aW3C has received all funding from grants; no dollars have come from residents in Bronson, Otter Creek, or Cedar Key;
• The City of Bronson has withdrawn from the cooperative; the cooperative is researching another partner.
NON GOVERNMENTAL GROUPS
LIONS
Susan Rosenthal announced that Lions were planning for the next Seafood Festival scheduled for October 17 and 18, 2026.
CEDAR KEY WOMAN’S CLUB
Eileen Senecal reported that the Woman’s Club members would be serving lunch at the May 28 Hurricane / Hazardous Waste Day and the upcoming Coastal Clean Up.
CEDAR KEY AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION
Leslie Sturmer announced that five more unpainted clam shells have arrived in town today. Commissioners and Sturmer discussed eventual placement about town.
FLORIDA’S NATURE COAST CONSERVANCY
FNCC Vice President and Mayor Wortham announced that on May 21, 2026, Cedar Key School Guardians of the Gulf students will help plant pines to restore the canopy to the Kiss Me Quick area. The specific site, a one-and -a-half acre property on Live Oak and Grove Streets, was donated to Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy last year to furthering FNCC’s dedication to acquiring land in trust for conservation and public access.
CLERK'S OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION:
FLORIDA COMMUNIITIES TRUST
Commissioners unanimously approved the extension of the Florida Communities Trust Agreement for the Gulf Blvd Project.
MOORE PPROPOSAL APPROVED
Commissioners unanimously approved the James Moore proposal for additional finance service. The discussion noted that now, with the prior mayor gone from the commission, the commissioners needed help in budgeting. An audience member remarked that just recently the commission hired Moore to perform the city clerk’s financial responsibilities at approximately $40,000; such decisions / contracts do not sit well with some residents, she said. Mayor Wortham expressed his concerns as well.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Recently review of charges by JPI, the city’s current Building Department contractor, caused commissioners to put out a request for proposals soon.
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
ORDINANCE NO. 565
Commissioners unanimously approved transfer of public waterfront property
to a Fourth Street property owner because of an earlier dispute.
QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING
In a brief quasi-judicial hearing, commissioners unanimously approve a housing variance for the residents of 1018 Whiddon.
MEETING SPECIFICS
Staff in attendance included: City Attorney Norm Fugate, Cey Clerk Brooke Smith, Fire Chief Robert Robinson, Public Works supervisor Jamie McCain, and Clerk Heather Lang.
Among the audience members were: Russ Colson, Phil and Mary Prescott, Sue Colson, Kathy Salkaln, Jeri Treat, Anne Miller, Susan Rosenthal, Eileen Senecal, Leslie Sturmer, and the Cedar Key News’ Mandy and Frank Offerle.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
A Pelican in severe distress was seen at the Fishing Pier with fishing line wrapped around his body, his wing, his leg! His right foot was being torn up by the line.
LEVY COUNTY ANNOUNCES PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS
CEDAR KEY WOMAN'S CLUB
