The latest action comes as this blue-collar suburb of 37,327 residents awaits a final report from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development on alleged irregularities at six federally funded, multifamily shelter projects for low-income families. The report was due Mar. 27.

HUD's preliminary report last week lashed the Sanford Housing Authority for failing to monitor the activities of its executive director, Timothy D. Hudson, during the seven years he has run the agency. Hudson is resigning Apr. 20 but some city commissioners want to fire him immediately, based on HUD's preliminary findings.

HUD wants answers from the board and Hudson on why about $1 million in government money wasn't used to renovate and repair ailing apartment complexes. That money is now earning interest in certificates of deposit at the Sanford branches of SunTrust Bank and First Union National Bank, Hudson has confirmed.

The 39-year old Hudson, who co-owns two commercial real estate development companies and draws an annual salary of $81,000 from the city, categorically denies all allegations of wrongdoing. Instead, he accuses HUD investigators of witch hunting and propping up weak investigations with incorrect conclusions on his activities and performance.

The preliminary HUD report also criticized Edward Blacksheare, the authority's chairman, for planning to demolish half of the 500 HUD-owned units in Sanford and build income-producing units mixed in with the subsidized apartments. Blacksheare calls this idea progressive development and wonders why HUD should oppose such forward thinking.

Regardless of what the five-member authority decides by Thursday, HUD is on record in demanding to have a final say in selecting the next executive director of the Sanford Housing Authority.