Housing Authority Makes Merger Request

BROOKSVILLE - The Brooksville Housing Authority board has made it clear in recent weeks that it considers a merger with its county counterpart to be the best course of action.

Now the authority board has made an official request for approval of that plan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which funds and oversees the authority.

Chairman Randy Woodruff sent a letter to John Niesz, director of public housing in HUD's Jacksonville office, saying that a merger is "appropriate at this time."

"A merger of these agencies would serve the public in a more effective and efficient manner if both Section 8 and Public Housing services are offered from one location," Woodruff wrote. "This approach would ensure that our constituents are provided the best services available from competent and experienced staff."

A HUD official was vague when asked whether the department would support a merger with the county authority.

"HUD will continue to work with the Brooksville Housing Authority to establish permanent management options for the Authority," Bill Kalbas, a HUD spokesman based in the department's Tampa office, said in an e-mail response to Hernando Today.

Woodruff's letter also asked HUD to extend by at least 180 days a contract with a private consulting firm that has helped guide the authority as it works to improve conditions there.

"(Smart Inc.'s) knowledge of the (authority's) history and current needs would be valuable during the merger transition and offer a continuity of service to its residents," Woodruf wrote.

Brenda Williams, a representative from Smart, Inc., had been working alongside former executive director Ronnie McLean to meet HUD conditions set for the authority to shed its troubled status. The authority board fired McLean last month, saying they lacked confidence in his ability to do the job.

HUD extended the contract with Smart, Inc. for 60 days, Kalbas said.

That's crucial as members of the Brooksville and Hernando County housing authority boards continue to discuss the merger, Woodruff said. The two boards met last month and agreed to pursue the endeavor.

They are slated to discuss the issue again at the Brooksville authority's next regular meeting on Tuesday, June 17.

"I think there's a good chance we'll be a lot closer to working the bugs out," Woodruff said.