While Monroe County officials debate whether to appeal a $48,400 sexual harassment judgment against the county, the community is discussing how to prevent a repeat and whether the new airport terminal should be named after the offending commissioner.

The county on Thursday had not decided whether to appeal a federal jury's ruling Wednesday that County Commissioner Sonny McCoy sexually harassed his former assistant, Celeste Bruno, Assistant County Attorney Bob Shillinger said. The county's insurer, the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust, also could appeal. The county's policy would cover the judgment, but it was unclear whether it would cover Bruno's legal bills, for which state law entitles her to compensation, Shillinger said.

"If we say no, they could refuse to pay," Shillinger said.

County Administrator Roman Gastesi, who was hired after the harassment occurred, said he had no plans to revise the county's sexual harassment policy to include commissioners, or to counsel McCoy or other county commissioners on the policy. Gastesi said he has no authority over county commissioners, even though commission assistants are county employees.

There are few sanctions for such conduct, aside from lawsuits or being voted out of office. McCoy lost his re-election bid in the Aug. 26 primary against Carlos Rojas, who will face Heather Carruthers and Sloan Bashinsky on Nov. 4. The governor can remove commissioners, which usually occurs only in cases of malfeasance or if they are no longer competent to hold office. The Florida Commission on Ethics also has jurisdiction over state elected officials, and someone could file a complaint against McCoy for the harassment, Shillinger said.

Gastesi said he has not received any complaints from McCoy's current female assistant.

County Commissioner George Neugent said all commissioners should go through an orientation process when they are first elected that would inform them about what constitutes sexual harassment. Neugent said employees also have an obligation to report sexual harassment, which Bruno did not.

Wednesday's verdict also has given rise to the debate about the county naming the Key West International Airport terminal, still under construction, after McCoy. It has been a controversial topic since the County Commission decided to do so several years ago. The county plans to hold an open house at the terminal later this month and there had been reports it would include unveiling a bust of McCoy, for which he paid, County Engineer Dave Koppel said.

Key West Business Guild members on Wednesday asked County Commission candidates if they supported naming the terminal after McCoy, according to incumbent candidate Sylvia Murphy. All candidates said they did not support it, Murphy said. Murphy and Carruthers did not support naming buildings after people who are still alive.

"I never thought it should have been named for him," Murphy said. "You should be dead for five to 10 years before they name something after you. That way you know someone's reputation is good."

Neugent said the county should wait until the case is fully resolved before having a formal naming ceremony for McCoy.

"I am not going to participate in any ceremony with McCoy cutting the ribbon," Neugent said. "It would be a slap in the face to every female employee."

County gadfly Paul Caruso has started a Web site, freemonroecounty.com, which calls on people to write Gastesi an e-mail demanding the name of the airport terminal be changed.

County Mayor Mario Di Gennaro would not comment on the issue until a decision is made on the appeal, he said Thursday.

Di Gennaro had called for Neugent's censure after Neugent sent a joke e-mail from his county e-mail address that showed topless scenes featuring famous actresses in popular Hollywood movies. Di Gennaro and the commission postponed voting on the censure several months ago and the issue has not come back up for discussion since.

tohara@keysnews.com