The Monroe County mayor said elected officials who serve on the Tourist Development Council should not get preferential treatment when it comes to their meeting attendance.

Sylvia Murphy has proposed overturning a policy enacted three years ago that allows elected officials who are appointed to the tourism board to miss more meetings than members who are not elected officials.

While there is no limit to the number of meetings elected officials can miss, other members who miss four meetings or three consecutive meetings during a fiscal year automatically forfeit their position on the council. The County Commission then appoints someone to complete the rest of the term.

The County Commission changed the policy in 2008, after former Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson was at risk of being booted off the board for missing four meetings.

Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro proposed, and former commissioners Dixie Spehar and Sonny McCoy supported, changing the policy, saying elected officials are busier in their public service duties. The exemption did not give specific reasons why an elected official should be excused.

The Tourist Development Council board meets every six weeks and meetings are scheduled so they do not conflict with other boards' meetings.

"Elected officials are no more busy than anyone else who volunteers their time," Murphy said. "Everybody knows what is required of them when they join these boards."

Di Gennaro said he is "open" to reverting back to the old policy.

"I will listen, and if the commission wants to change it, I am not opposed to that," Di Gennaro said.

The County Commission is expected to vote on the measure at its meeting Wednesday at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway.

Elected officials currently serving on the board include Murphy, Key West Mayor Craig Cates and Utility Board member Lou Hernandez. Non-elected officials include Rita Irwin, Jay Marzella, Ronnie Harris, Douglas Wright, James Bernardin and George L. Fernandez.

tohara@keysnews.com