Lynne (Conkling) Benton | Elect Lynne Benton

Creating a shared vision for Key Colony Beach to preserve our unique coastal character. Protecting public trust through fair and transparent decision making.

Meet Lynne Benton

My husband, Mark, and I discovered Key Colony Beach in 2012. We were drawn to its natural beauty, welcoming community, and relaxed coastal lifestyle. We knew we had found the place we wanted to call home.

A lifelong learner, I have spent more than four decades serving as an engineer, business owner, mediator, and attorney. My engineering career focused on developing complex systems and managing global projects, while my legal training deepened my understanding of community governance.

As a member of the Key Colony Beach Planning & Zoning Board, I have consistently supported recommendations that I believe are evidenced by the facts and the law. I have not supported recommendations that I believe unlawfully provide special privileges to land owners, are contrary to our ordinances, or fail to consider the impact on the environment, citizen safety, the values and character of our community.

I am an active member of the Fishing & Boating Club, Community Association, Pickleball Club, and Marathon Rotary Club. My husband and I enjoy spending time with friends and family, including our five children and seven grandchildren.

A Foundation Built on Collaboration

As a volunteer mediator and President of a community mediation center, I learned to build consensus and help people resolve conflicts through respectful collaboration. That experience reinforced my belief that the best solutions emerge when people listen to one another. As the former owner of an engineering firm and now a law firm, I learned that lasting success depends on integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Preserving What Makes Our City Special

After careful consideration, I decided to seek election to the Key Colony Beach City Commission. My background in engineering, law, and mediation has prepared me to help our city navigate complex issues, respect legal processes, and ensure every resident's voice is heard.

I believe Key Colony Beach has an important opportunity to preserve the character and quality of life we value, by ensuring today’s decisions reflect a shared community vision rather than a series of improvements that over time, may unintentionally alter our community's character. To accomplish this, I believe we should engage the appropriate expertise and develop a community-driven Master Plan resulting in ordinances to guide decisions, provide continuity as leadership changes, and help ensure fiscally responsible public investments that reflect our community's shared vision.

If elected, I will work to be a careful steward of taxpayer dollars and City resources, strengthen public trust, preserve our community's character, and help Key Colony Beach become recognized as one of Florida’s best-governed coastal communities.

Vision & Priorities

Key Colony Beach is a small coastal community unlike may others. After nearly 15 years as a property owner and community member, I believe we are at an important crossroads. Through my service on the Planning & Zoning Board, I have become convinced that a community-driven Master Plan, codified in our ordinances, is essential if we are to preserve the qualities that make Key Colony Beach so special.

As a community, we continue to make improvements to our parks, public spaces, and infrastructure by adding signs, fountains, landscaping, shade structures, recreational amenities, and other features. These improvements are well-intentioned, but they are often considered individually rather than as part of a long-term vision. Before deciding what to build, we should first decide what we want Key Colony Beach to look and feel like. What should residents and visitors experience as they enter Sadowski Causeway, walk our neighborhoods, or gather at Sunset Park? What truly is unique about our City and how do we preserve it?

Our elected officials work hard to make the best decisions they can. A Master Plan would give future Commissions something equally important—a shared vision developed by the community to guide those decisions over time. Instead of reacting to individual opportunities as they arise, we would evaluate each project against an agreed-upon vision for our City's future.

Our public land is both valuable and limited. Once structures are built or significant improvements are made, changing them later can be costly. Thoughtful planning before construction helps ensure taxpayer dollars are invested wisely and reduces the likelihood of expensive modifications in the future.

We already have an iconic welcome sign that reminds us, "What's Your Hurry? You're Here." Perhaps we should take our own advice. Before doing any more development, let's first define the vision we want to preserve. Together, we can create a timeless Master Plan that protects the character of Key Colony Beach and provides a clear roadmap, regardless of who serves in City leadership.

The Character and Future of Key Colony Beach Is Shaped One Decision at a Time

The decisions we make today influence our quality of life – our neighborhood character, natural environment, water quality, waterfront views, recreation and gathering places, infrastructure - and our community identify.

My Priorities

Preserving our unique community character
Meaningful citizen participation
Transparency and accountability
Protecting our unique coastal environment
Fiscal stewardship and responsible government
Fair and consistent application of our ordinances

Together, We Can Preserve What We Value Most

Key Colony Beach is a remarkable community. Together, we can preserve its unique character, protect the quality of life we cherish, and ensure that future decisions reflect the values of the people who call it home.

Working with fellow volunteers on the Planning and Zoning Board to address community issues.

Preserving Our Unique Community Character

I have encouraged discussion of a community-driven Master Plan and provided a sample framework as a starting point. Citizens and volunteers have expressed support for developing a shared vision that can guide decisions and provide continuity as leadership changes.

As Commissioner, I will champion the creation of a Long-Range Planning Committee and work toward developing a community-driven Master Plan that reflects the values and priorities of Key Colony Beach citizens.

Meaningful Citizen Participation

I obtained approval to develop a volunteer handbook for the Planning and Zoning Board and advocated for expanded opportunities for citizens to speak at Commission meetings. I believe residents should have meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their community, before the decisions are made.

As Commissioner, I will support early and effective citizen involvement on important issues, expand opportunities for public input, and ensure residents understand how their feedback was considered.

Transparency and Accountability

Citizens deserve to understand not only what decisions are made, but why they are made. Throughout my service on the Planning and Zoning Board, I have advocated for decisions that are supported by facts, consistent with the law, and clearly explained to the public.

As Commissioner, I will support Town Halls, workshops, and clear communication so residents can better understand the issues, alternatives, and reasoning behind important decisions.

Protecting Our Unique Coastal Environment

Protecting our waterways, marine habitats, coastal views, and natural resources is essential to preserving the quality of life that makes Key Colony Beach special. The Florida Keys are designated as an environmentally sensitive area subject to special protections. As such, as a member of the Planning and Zoning Board, I requested evidence that variances would not conflict with regulations intended to protect our waters and fragile coastal environment.

As Commissioner, I will support policies that balance private property rights with environmental stewardship and advocate for decisions that are based on sound science, applicable regulations, and consider long-term impacts.

Fiscal Stewardship and Responsible Government

Good government requires more than balanced budgets. It requires thoughtful planning, clear priorities, and careful evaluation of how public funds are spent.

As Commissioner, I will support responsible budgeting, transparent spending decisions, and careful evaluation of projects to ensure they align with community priorities and long-term goals before significant public funds are committed.

Fair and Consistent Application of Our Ordinances

Residents should be able to rely on ordinances being applied fairly, consistently, and equally to everyone. During my service on the Planning and Zoning Board, I have opposed variances that I believe do not meet the required evidentiary and legal standards.

As Commissioner, I will support clear ordinances, consistent decision-making, and equal treatment under the law. If the reason for an ordinance no longer exists, or if an ordinance no longer reflects community values, it should be amended through a transparent public process rather than waived on a case-by-case basis.

Campaign and Community Updates

If you would like to learn more about campaign events and information relating to issues affecting Key Colony Beach, I encourage you to sign up below; or you can check here periodically for updates.

Get Involved/Stay Connected

Campaign Events

Upcoming Zoom Meetings With the Candidate

Community Correspondence

1. Planning and Zoning - Objection to Variance, variance criteria not met (Benton, May 12, 2026)

2 Commission, Master Plan - proposal to commissioners (Benton, May 19,, 2026)

3. Commission, Request to allow citizen comments on non-agenda items (Benton, May 27, 2026)

4. Planning and Zoning, Variance procedure, volunteer due process and handook (Benton, June 8, 2026)

5. Planning and Zoning, Members' roles and responsibilities (Benton, June 16, 2026)

6. Planning and Zoning, Analysis of agenda items (Benton, June 17, 2026)

7. Commission, 41,0000 boat lift approval, citizen correspondence (Zimmerman, July 26, 2026)