Budget crunch likely to bring controversial relationship to a close Monroe County and Jerry Coleman are expected to terminate their relationship Wednesday, as a way to free up several hundred thousand dollars in taxpayer money.

The Monroe County Commission on Wednesday is expected to approve ending the affordable housing consultant’s controversial contract, which has cost the county a little more than $400,000 in two years. Commissioners and Florida Keys residents have been split on Coleman’s performance and pay. His supporters argue that he brought more than $1 million into the county for affordable housing developments and created ordinances that set up incentives and tax breaks for worker housing projects. Critics argue he is overpaid, and they question who benefits most from the legal advice he has given the county — workers or developers. They say the county has done little in recent years to sustain or build affordable housing. Coleman recently asked to end his contract after the county began laying off workers and cutting programs to balance its budget. The county is struggling to trim about $4 million from its general fund.

The County Commission previously tapped $10 million of reserves to balance this year’s budget. In recent months it has cut 37 positions, reduced library hours and cut back funding for several programs. “The county, like just about every other local government in this state, as well as the state government itself I hear, faces many challenges, including but not limited to looming large budget cuts,” Coleman wrote in an e-mail to The Citizen. “Everything obviously must be on the table and I think it was and probably still is. Florida’s voters also approved a constitutional amendment that may make things even more challenging. “None of these recent developments, or the economic downturn nationwide, should be considered the county’s fault,” he wrote. “I believe the county moved very hard on affordable housing, particularly after the late Commissioner [Murray] Nelson carried the banner in this area.” Commissioner George Neugent and others have questioned some of the projects on which Coleman worked. Under his contract, Coleman is to work solely on affordable housing projects, leases and ordinances. Yet his invoices indicate he charged for advising Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro on wastewater issues and for working on issues related to the Marine Resources Department and Navy Air Installation Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ), which dictate where development should occur around military bases. Coleman’s contract had called for his rate to increase from $350 an hour to $500 an hour at the start of the new year, but at a December meeting, commissioners limited the scope of Coleman’s work and, with his consent, kept his billing rate at $350 an hour. Neugent, who for months had lobbied to have the county end the contract, argued that Coleman was being paid too much and the county could save money by hiring a full-time attorney who specializes in land-use law. Neugent also said Coleman takes credit for other people’s ideas, and some of the contracts the county has entered into with developers are not the most costefficient way for people to buy affordable homes. For instance, town houses being built in the city of Islamorada near Coral Shores High School are being sold for $160,000 each, and modular homes in Marathon are starting at $130,000, Neugent said. Yet the county waived impact fees and gave developers other incentives to build affordable units in Stock Island and other areas of unincorporated Monroe County that are going for $100,000 more a unit, he said. “It doesn’t make sense,” Neugent said. Di Gennaro has said Coleman successfully lobbied the state for $1.75 million in grants for construction of 18 affordable units on Big Coppitt Key. The commission on Wednesday also is expected to:

• Vote on advertising a public hearing on levying a non-property tax for fire and rescue services.

• Vote on reducing funding to Florida Keys nonprofit social service groups. The commission will consider two proposals for next year that could cut between $880,000 and $1.4 million from a fund that helps support these agencies; and • Consider two ordinances that would start the process of adding another 6 cents in taxes to a gallon of gas. The proposal is projected to raise an estimated $1.75 million annually for repairs to county roads and bridges.