County delays decision on economic development position
Mayors' meeting planned Thursday
Staff reporter
After nearly an hour of hearing public comments and discussing a county economic development coordinator position, Marion County Commission postponed decisions until Tuesday's commission meeting.
A mayors' meeting was called by the commission for 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the commission room to discuss the topic.
Commission chairman Bob Hein said he knew Hillsboro was against the position and was concerned that representation from Hillsboro was not at the meeting. He wanted an opportunity to talk with Hillsboro Mayor Delores Dalke before making any final decisions.
Hein also said Dalke had told him there was going to be a "major announcement" in the coming days that may influence the county's decision regarding the position.
Commissioner Dan Holub said he didn't want to wait any longer and was in favor of establishing the position.
Jami Williams, president of Marion Chamber of Commerce, asked the commission if their decision was going to based on whether Hillsboro was in support of the position. Holub responded no.
A motion was made by Holub to proceed with the economic development position but eventually was withdrawn following more discussion and the decision to have a meeting with the mayors.
Primarily the public in attendance were Marion officials, business owners, and members of Marion's economic development advisory board.
Dianna Carter, county appraiser, Michele Abbott-Becker, county emergency management and communications director, and Jeannine Bateman, county treasurer, also attended.
Marion city administrator David Mayfield said the city of Marion was in support of the position.
Carter asked if cities would be willing to help fund the position. Mayfield said he couldn't speak for the city commission.
Currently, the city of Marion has $18,000 as a line item in its budget for economic development which does not include a paid position.
When the city had a full-time paid position, the total budget was more than $50,000 per year, Mayfield said.
Jack Regnier said Harvey County receives funds from the individual cities within the county.
A formula based on the population of each city is used to assess funds the cities contribute, said Mayfield.
Eloise Mueller said Marion County was the only county within the South Central Kansas Economic Development District that does not have a county developer.
Carter, who had been opposed to the position, said she was not opposed to it if cities assisted the county with funding it and for the focus to be on "what we (the county) have instead of trying to bring in something else."
Williams said she was concerned about politics being involved if some cities contributed and others didn't. She said funding based on population would be fair.
Carter suggested research be conducted regarding a starting salary.
Rocky Hett of Marion suggested a salary and a commission or bonus when specific goals are met.
The commission has the decision of determining how $50,000 of "seed money" for a position would be spent. The options were a county economic development coordinator, administrator, or counselor.
The previous county commission had placed the funds in the 2005 budget to be determined by the commission.
Holub said he had considered a county administrator position where the person would assist the commission and perform development duties.
Mayfield said economic development is a full-time job.
Holub said he agreed. He added that economic development didn't stop with the successful recruitment of businesses.
"We need a coordinator to help our businesses," Holub said.
Marion resident Rocky Hett said the developer would need to be somebody from out of county.
"A stranger can be more objective," Hett said.
Williams said it needed to be someone with passion for the county and the work.
Throughout the discussion, the group returned to the same theme of patterning a county program after Harvey County.
The group said they recalled being told that Harvey County's economic development department had an annual budget of approximately $150,000 which included the director, one full-time, and one part-time staff positions.
The question was asked what additional funding the county had available for the position? The commission responded there were some funds available.
Abbott-Becker said funding needed to be resolved before hiring someone. She suggested the county pay the salary and the cities pay expenses. She also suggested an advisory board be assembled to assist with the process.
Holub suggested representatives from around the county be asked to participate.
Carter said she was in favor of a county administrator or manager and wanted the commission to keep that option "on the table" for future discussion.
The commission again will discuss the issue Tuesday. The courthouse will be closed Monday in observance of Presidents' Day.
