TALLAHASSEE — State Rep. Seth McKeel fought to get $15 million in tax dollars for a new USF campus in Lakeland and, despite a severe budget shortfall, is determined to get $10 million more this year.
"I believe the Polytechnic vision is exactly what is needed in Polk County to help raise the standard of living and ensure the economic diversity of our region," McKeel says.
But Polk County isn't the only potential beneficiary.
McKeel works for the construction company bidding on the project, formally called USF Polytechnic, and two family members have a stake in the new school. His sister works for the University of South Florida, cultivating private donations for the new campus. McKeel's cousin is working with the school on behalf of an architectural firm picked for the design.
The situation presents a fresh example of the political and personal cross-currents running through the state college system and the conflicts, real or perceived, that sometimes confront lawmakers with special concerns.
"I am not naive enough to fail to acknowledge that the relationships … would seem to a casual observer to be more than coincidence," McKeel told the Times/Herald.
But the Lakeland Republican is adamant he does not have a conflict. "I've been very careful to not be involved in any shape or form with the construction (bid)," he said.
McKeel works for Rodda Construction Inc. of Lakeland. Partnering with another company on the USF project, Rodda has emerged from a field of 33 as the top-ranked firm. The college said the six companies on the short list now will be evaluated on an even field. Work on the $60 million project, $35 million of which is supposed to come from state funds, was originally slated to begin in late summer.
McKeel said he is an independent contractor with Rodda and began in 2005, a year before he was elected to state office. His biography on the House Web site used to describe him as director of development, but it now lists him as "public relations consultant."
McKeel, 33, said he attends economic development meetings in Lakeland on behalf of the firm and does public outreach. He said he has never been involved, nor asked to be involved, in discussions with his company about its bid on the Lakeland campus.
McKeel does not have to go far to handle his legislative and business duties.
His legislative office is located at Rodda Construction. After getting elected in 2006, McKeel asked House deputy general counsel Steve Godwin if it was an acceptable arrangement. Godwin said it was fine as long as the rent wasn't especially low.
And after he learned from USF that questions were raised about his sister's position at the school, McKeel asked current House lawyer Karen Camechis if he needed to disclose the relationship after voting on the budget that contained the construction funding.
Camechis, in a memo last month, said that McKeel did not have to file a voting disclosure if he or a family member would not receive any personal benefit from the state tax dollars. Further, a sister would not be defined as a family member, she wrote.
Maggie Mariucci, his sister, is a fundraiser for USF Polytechnic and works with private donors. The college would not confirm that Rodda Construction or any affiliates have contributed to the cause, citing an exemption in public records law. Rodda Construction did not respond to several phone calls.
As for his cousin, McKeel said her ties were quickly disclosed when the college expressed interest in using the prestigious architectural firm Santiago Calatrava.
Marcia McKeel is a member of the team in contract negotiations with USF and "sits at the table," according to the college. Santiago Calatrava has been ranked the top firm in an open bidding process and contract negotiations are under way.
"We first laughed about it and said it was a small world," said Marshall Goodman, CEO of USF Polytechnic. "But it is what it is." Of the various ties between McKeel and the company, he said, "We all can understand what it might look like to an outsider. But the fact is they are independent of each other."
Alex Leary can be reached at aleary@sptimes.com or (850) 224-7263.
What's the buzz?
For the latest news from Florida's legislative session, go to blogs.tampabay.com/buzz
News
