The Monroe County Commission today is expected to select a new Growth Management Division director, one of the most important positions in county government.

The front-runner is former South Florida Water Management District Deputy Director Lee "Chip" Merriam, who was recommended by a selection committee that included County Administrator Roman Gastesi.

Gastesi proposed offering the 55-year-old Jupiter resident a $118,000 annual salary plus benefits.

Amid a water district reorganization, Merriam earlier this month left the agency after 19 years to pursue other options, he and district spokesman Randy Smith said Tuesday.

As deputy director since September 2001, Merriam was responsible for overseeing environmental research and data collection, permitting and water supply planning and implementation.

He was "heavily involved" in the construction of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority water supply treatment plant in Florida City and has been involved in Everglades restoration work, Aqueduct Authority Executive Director Jim Reynolds said.

Reynolds said he could not comment on Merriam's ability to oversee a building and code enforcement department, but said Merriam is well-respected by, among others, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet.

"He would be effective with [them] because of his work with the district," Reynolds said.

Commissioner Sylvia Murphy questioned the salary, saying she would prefer something in the $110,000 range. She acknowledged his experience with water issues and his statewide contacts, but was concerned about his lack of planning experience. County Mayor George Neugent supported the choice and said he had no problem with the proposed salary, as the position is one of the most important in the county government.

The job requires knowledge of complex county, state and federal land use law, as the Florida Keys are home to many endangered species, state and federal national parks and sensitive wetlands. The director must work closely with federal and state officials who oversee refuges and sensitive areas.

The commission will meet at 9 a.m. today at the Harvey Government Center, at Truman Avenue and White Street in Key West.

tohara@keysnews.com