Monroe County government's ethics policies will take center stage at the County Commission's monthly meeting Wednesday.

The commission is scheduled to vote on an ordinance that would prohibit members of county boards from receiving a "commission or other compensation" from a transaction recommended by their board. The ordinance also spells out that county employees cannot use their position to benefit financially.

The ordinance was prompted by the revelation that Key West affordable housing committee board member and Realtor Donna Windle will receive a $40,000 commission from the sale of a Key West property to the Monroe County Land Authority.

Windle was appointed to the board after it already had agreed to purchase the property. However, the idea of people on boards making money on projects paid for by Land Authority money does not sit well with county commissioners, who have twice discussed the issue in recent months and called for the ordinance.

The commission also will review its policy and procedures about county employees receiving free meals. The commission will mull a proposal that would change an across-the-board ban on county employees accepting gifts to a policy that prohibits gifts from corporations or employees of corporations who do business with, or are regulated by, the employee's department or agency. The policy change ostensibly would allow county employees to accept event invitations, meals or other gifts from homeowners' associations, nonprofit groups, individuals and government agencies.

The proposal stems from an ongoing disagreement between County Commissioner George Neugent and Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward over commissioners and the county administrator attending a private homeowners' association banquet last month at Ocean Reef, an upscale gated community.

Ward has not been shy about criticizing the commissioners for attending the dinner, which was not open to the public. He had asked commissioners and the Ocean Reef sponsor to either cancel the dinner or extend invitations to the media. The commission and Ocean Reef ignored the request, but invited Ward, who declined.

After the dinner, Ward publicly chastised County Administrator Roman Gastesi for attending the dinner, as county policy prohibits any county employee from accepting free meals or gifts. Neugent and County Mayor Sylvia Murphy argued that Gastesi was there at their request.

After recently speaking with Neugent about the issue, County Attorney Suzanne Hutton put the proposal on the agenda as a talking point about gift policies.

Ward, who plans to attend Wednesday's meeting, opposes any change that would relax gift or ethics policies.

"I plan to go there and tell them to just say no -- no to free meals, no to gifts and no to cookies at homeowners' association meetings," Ward said.

Neugent argued that under the county's current policy, staff members would be at risk of violating the policy for things that their job requires them to do, such as attending professional meetings and nonprofit fundraising functions.

In addressing Ward's concerns, Neugent has insisted the Ocean Reef banquet in February was no different than any other homeowners' association dinner.

Ward contends that if county employees have to attend pay events they should pay and then fill out an expense report and be reimbursed or have the county pay in advance.

The commission also will decide whether to proceed with a referendum to create a special taxing district in the Upper Keys, with proceeds going to buying a waterfront park. The commission would have to advertise the referendum, hold a public hearing, then vote to put it on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

Only Tavernier and Key Largo residents would vote on it, as they would be the only ones paying into the district. The referendum would call for property owners from Tavernier to north Key Largo, excluding Ocean Reef, to be taxed $25 a year for every $100,000 in property value.

The commission also will vote on overturning a policy that allows elected officials who serve on the Monroe County Tourist Development Council to miss more meetings than their fellow board members.

The previous County Commission changed the policy to exempt elected officials from a policy that calls for TDC board members to be kicked off for missing four meetings, or three consecutive meetings, each year.

tohara@keysnews.com