Interviews set for Expressway Authority director position

ORLANDO, Fla. — A major decision is being made in Orange County that could affect all central Florida drivers.

Right now, the Expressway Authority is looking for a new director who would oversee millions of dollars in construction projects and could ultimately decide how much money drivers pay in tolls.

Channel 9's Jorge Estevez was at Wednesday's meeting where several candidates were being considered.

Channel 9 learned candidate and current Florida Rep. Steve Precourt was a favorite to get the job, but he's also a controversial choice due to the fact that he has a connection to an engineering company that has worked with the Expressway Authority.

Precourt is a civil engineer and current state representative who may still have a stake in a firm that has been paid $10 million by the Expressway Authority for consulting work since 2004.

WFTV was there in August when former director Max Crumit lost a vote of confidence from the board of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority after reports came out that he was already looking for new jobs outside of the authority after only having been in the position for two years.

Precourt is on the list of six people who've been selected for interviews next week. Officials then expect to narrow the list to three.

In the meantime, Expressway board members are under investigation to see if they violated Sunshine laws by conferring behind the scenes to oust Crumit.

WFTV