CITY COMMISSION MET - 30 JUNE 2026
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POLICE DEPARTMENT,
COMMISSIONERS ENGAGE
2026 June 30
On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 5 pm in City Hall, the Cedar Key City Commission conducted a workshop. The goal of the workshop was to understand how the City and the Cedar Key Police Department might work more closely together. An audience of approximately twenty persons attended the workshop. All four sitting commissioners were in attendance: Mayor Jim Worttham, Vice Mayor Mel Beckham, Nancy Sera, and Dell Weible. One seat was empty due to the recent resignation of Jolie Davis.
Commissioner Mel Beckham chaired the meeting and articulated the basics: that this gathering was not a complaint session, “no sides” would be drawn, and no decisions would be made.
Immediately clarified by resident Eric Freeman, and agreed upon by commissioners, was the fact that police must respond to state and federal laws governing them and that police are not simply employees of Cedar Key.
Indeed, the takeaways were far from a complaint session. When asked direct questions, residents responded that they:
• wanted police coverage twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week;
• believe that the number of younger children driving golf carts has lessened;
• have enjoyed a positive, close working relationship with the police department;
• feel safe in Cedar Key because of the city’s police personnel and prompt response.
Discussion ensued about the Police Department’s costs, which amounts to approximately $500,000 of a two-million-dollar budget. Discussion included overtime pay, necessary because of the inability to attract and retain part-time officers due to the low $18.50 hourly pay rate, long travel distance, and lack of affordable lodging.
Traffic control and safety at the marina traffic during peak hours was discussed. There have been volunteers and paid Marina attendants in the past that have successfully directed and controlled the launching of boats in the marina on weekends. Funding these positions was discussed but not resolved. The Cedar Key Police Department was mentioned as a possibility, but it was not feasible, financially or personal wise.
Resolved issues were the following:
• daily interactions of the Cedar Key Police with businesses and residents was positive;
• the understanding that commissioners want to hear more of the Police Department needs and updates from Police Chief Edwin Jenkins at monthly meetings;
• in all ways possible, commissioners and the police would work together to contain spending.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm
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CKAC: JULY HAPPENINGS
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CEDAR KEY ARTS CENTER
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN JULY?
2026 July 1
Patty Jett Summer Art Program, Call to Artists, Clam Trail
CLICK HERE FOR WHAT'S HAPENING
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2026 July 1
Patty Jett Summer Art Program, Call to Artists, Clam Trail
CLICK HERE FOR WHAT'S HAPENING
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LCSO: ARREST REPORT 2026 jUNE 20
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LEVY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
ARREST REPORT FOR WEEK OF 2026 JUNE 29
CLICK BELOW FOR REPORT
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BUSTAMANTE TO SPEAK
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JUDGE BUSTAMANTE TO SPEAK
26 June 30
Two candidates are currently vying for the open Levy County Court Judge position in Levy County, Florida. Both will be on the August 18 Primary Ballot where all Levy County residents may vote.
Candidates are Incumbent Luis Bustamante and Alachua Assistant District Attorney Darla Whistler.
On Monday, June 15, 2026, Darla Whistler spoke and answered questions at City Hall from 5 to 6 pm.
On Monday, July 6, 2026, Luis Bustamante will speak and answer your questions at City Hall from 5 to 6 pm.
The Cedar Key News staff hopes to see you there.
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CITY MTG - 16JUN 2026
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CITY COMMSSION ADDRESSES
EMPTY SEAT, RVS, MOMENT OF SILENCE
EMPTY SEAT, RVS, MOMENT OF SILENCE
2026 June 16
Eitor’s Note:
Regarding the article below, the Cedar Key News staff wrongly reported the second paragraph under “Public Comment, Prayer”. The article is now printed correctly. The staff regrets any incovience.
Eitor’s Note:
Regarding the article below, the Cedar Key News staff wrongly reported the second paragraph under “Public Comment, Prayer”. The article is now printed correctly. The staff regrets any incovience.
The Cedar Key City Commission met on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 5 pm at City Hall. Commissioners present included Mayor Jim Wortham, Vice-Mayor Mel Beckham, Nancy Sera, and Dell Weible. Absent was the prior commissioner Jolie Dais who resigned on June 8, 2026.
PUBLIC COMMENT
PRAYER
Resident Vanessa Edmons asked who took the “prayer” item off one of the agenda’s several iterations. The evening’s publically distributed “Updated Agenda” clearly included “Invocation”; that invocation was delivered in prayer form by Commissioner Beckham.
Though Commissioner Beckham conducted a prayer minutes earlier and Mayor Wortham explained that it was an in-house error, the issue of the person who removed the prayer from another, non-relevant agenda remained.
Commissioner Sera said that she had done so. Beckham questioned Sera lengthily. Discussion ensued as to whether a prayer or a moment of silence was appropriate. One commissioner suggested that they vote on that issue at that very moment. The vote was three to one: three in favor of a moment of silence; one in favor of prayer.
COMMISSIONER VACANCY
Mayor Wortham thanked prior Commissioner Davis for her efforts during her tenure.
Wortham announced that anyone interested in serving the remaining portion of Davis’s tenure, until April 2027, should contact any one of the commissioners. Applicants must be qualified and, among other paperwork, must be ready to complete and submit the state required Form One.
Wortham said commissioners would discuss applicants and the process of appointing one at the next regularly scheduled meeting on Jul 21.
REQUEST FOR RV APPROVAL
Taylor Construction’s Corey Rudd, representing Christopher W. Disibio of North Carolina, requested approval to place multiple recreational vehicles on the southwest corner of Depot and Third Streets.
As the item was agendized as an “Action Item” when there should have been a “Quasi-Judicial Hearing,” with the appropriate individuals being notified, prior to this action. The item was postponed.
CODE ENFORCEMENT ITEMS
A list of code violations, mostly construction and hurricane damage, was discussed by the commisision regarding the violations and how they have or have not been solved.
The meeting adjorned at 7:15 pm
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LEVY COUNTY NOTICE: DATA CENTERS
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LEVY COUNTY NOTICE:
LEVY COUNTY HOSTS DATA CENTER WORKSHOP
TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2026 AT 9AM
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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LCSO ARREST REPORT 2026 June 21
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LEVY ELECTIONS: PRIMARY BALLOT AVAILABLE
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PRIMARY ELECTION SAMPLE BALLOTS
NOW AVAILABLE ON THE LEVY COUNTY
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS WEBSITE
The Levy County Supervisor of Elections Office has successfully uploaded the sample ballots for the August 18, 2026, Primary Election to its official website.
Voters can access their personalized sample ballot by selecting the “Sample Ballot” icon on the homepage at www.votelevy.gov. By entering their information, voters can view a party-specific ballot, providing a preview of what they will see when voting in the upcoming primary election.
OBITUARY: JEAN STACKHOUSE SKAIFE
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JEAN STACKHOUSE SKAIFE
Sep 12, 1921 — Jun 12, 2026
Chapel Hill, NC Jean La Vonne Stackhouse Skaife, the only child of Phillip and Edna Stackhouse, was born September 12th, 1921. Jean passed away on June 12th, 2026 in Chapel Hill, NC, having lived a full life of 104 years.
Jean was born and grew up in Adams, WI, where her father was a railroad conductor. She graduated from Adams-Friendship High School and attended St. Theresa College in Winona, MN.
Jean met and married Charles Skaife while working at the Soil Conservation Service Farm Planner office in Madison, WI. Jean and Charlie spent the majority of their married life in Waukesha, WI. Jean was a faithful servant at First Presbyterian Church in Waukesha, where she was a member, as well as Administrative Assistant for a number of years. Cedar Key, FL became a second home following retirement, with many happy winters spent there.
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