For most of his two terms, Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco made it his mission to solve the island’s long-standing flooding problems with an ambitious stormwater and resiliency project.
As he gave his last State of the Village address on Wednesday night, though, not a shovel has hit the ground for the Big Dig and the Council appears ready to hit the pause button on the pricey project in favor of a less invasive and far less expensive plan.
Instead, Rasco touted the little things: a new fire-rescue truck, 149 new trees planted, traffic enforcement and a community garden. He spoke about his recent morning walk where he passed families heading to school, neighbors walking their dogs, public works crews already at work and first responders ending a long shift.
“This is why we incorporated, not for political speeches, not for posturing, but to provide stewardship of a place people love and rely on every single day, all of us striving for the common good,” he told the crowd that included members of the Council, civic leaders and residents – and maybe – his successor.
This is Rasco’s second stint as mayor. He served shortly after incorporation of Village from 1998 to 2002 as well. His speech was given in what was the signature achievement of those first two terms: the Community Center. At the time, critics called the building “socialism.’
Mayor Joe Rasco applauds his fellow council members for service at the State of the Village address, the final one of his four terms in office, Feb. 4, 2026 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton)
But Rasco’s final term legacy may very well be something he didn’t mention: the e-bike ban, enacted after the death of Megan Andrews in February 2024 after the motorized devices had become a public safety menace.
He also noted major recreational upgrades, foremost the new artificial turf field at St. Agnes Catholic Church and the new Key Biscayne Library under construction, saying it “represents a significant investment in additional community spaces.”
New cultural events also took root under Rasco, such as the Key Biscayne Film Festival.
There was a bit of puffery when he boasted of a lowered tax rate for the island. Property taxes actually went up 3.2% last year, but the burden was once again shifted to renters and businesses. Even as spending went up, the shift allowed for a tiny tax reduction for those able to get the Homestead tax break.
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The Resilient Infrastructure and Adaptation Program – known colloquially as the Big Dig – aims to install new stormwater pipes and a pump system, bury power lines and fortify the coast.
It has been backed and promoted by Village Manager Steve Williamson.
In his 2024 address, Rasco said getting liftoff for the Big Dig was his top priority. Last year, though, with costs skyrocketing, he said he was open to a pause.
The first zone around the K-8 school doubled in price to $85 million while the Village pays Big Dig engineering firms AECOM and Black & Veatch more than $300,000 a month.
Rasco last fall allowed the Council to look at a less expensive system that uses the current gravity system and shallow-well injection. The night before a three-member committee from the Council appointed by Rasco heard more about the alternative proposal by GIT Consulting.
Council Member Ed London, a member of the committee, said the choice is clear.
“There’s no doubt about it – that the AECOM plan is definitely inferior to the GIT plan,” he said. “Not only inferior, it’s twice or three times as expensive, probably three times as expensive. It’s disruptive, and it dumps polluted water into the bay.”
But the night belonged to Rasco, he said.
“He’s the cheerleader for the Village, and in my opinion, he does a great job of doing that,” London said. “And as he said, he loves the place, and he does everything he can – years and years of devoted service.”
Council Member Fernando Vazquez, also a member of the committee, said he can’t say for sure that the new stormwater proposal will be approved but a decision needs to be made soon.
“We’re getting to the inflection point,” he said. “So eventually this engineer (GIT) needs to be given the opportunity to come back with us with a price, right?”
Vazquez added that as a first-term council member it was his pleasure to serve with Rasco.
“What a great man he is, what a great family man is, what a dedicated servant to this community.”
Rasco didn’t let his last address go without addressing the elephant in the room.
“Stormwater and undergrounding must be taken to construction. End of subject,” raising his hand for dramatic effect.
In the audience was former Council Member Brett Moss, whose name has come up in political circles as a possible mayoral candidate. Moss – a vocal opponent of the Big Dig – would not confirm he is running, but also said he would not rule it out. He too praised Rasco’s service to the community.
Vice Mayor Oscar Sardiñas – the other name circulated – has said he would not run for mayor.
Rasco ended with a challenge to whomever follows him.
“As I look ahead, my hope is simple, that the work we’ve started continues, that future leaders protect what makes the Village special while preparing it for what lies ahead.”
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JOHN PACENTI is a correspondent of the Key Biscayne Independent. John has worked for The Associated Press, the Palm Beach Post, Daily Business Review, and WPTV-TV.
Editor-in-Chief
Tony Winton is the editor-in-chief of the Key Biscayne Independent and president of Miami Fourth Estate, Inc. He worked previously at The Associated Press for three decades winning multiple Edward R. Murrow awards. He was president of the News Media Guild, a journalism union, for 10 years. Born in Chicago, he is a graduate of Columbia University. His interests are photography and technology, sailing, cooking, and science fiction.