County discusses economic development office
Marion County Commission took the first step Monday to activate a county economic development department.
This was the second commission meeting in less than a week that the topic of county or regional development was discussed.
Peggy Blackman, independent consultant, and Stan Thiessen, business development coordinator of South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD), made the initial "pitch" to the commission. City officials from Marion, Hillsboro, Peabody, and Burns also were in attendance.
The formal motion that was approved by the commission was:
1) Form a task force with two members from each commissioner's district. These members will be appointed by the commissioners.
2) Bruce Wells, coordinator of the Flint Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) council, will be asked to be the facilitator. Wells will set the agenda and meeting dates.
3) Stan Thiessen, business development coordinator with South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD), will provide education to the task force as needed.
4) Task force will study what currently is being done and possibilities (for future).
5) Make recommendations to the commission regarding a countywide economic development program.
6) A preliminary report to the commission from the task force will be expected within 45 days with progress report(s), as possible.
In a separate motion, the commission requested that Carol Maggard, county clerk, review possible funding sources, within the current budget, for an economic development office.
Each commissioner made one of two task force appointments at Monday's meeting. They are Peggy Blackman, Steve Garrett, and Carolyn Koehn.
Before these decisions were made, the commission considered the information presented at the Dec. 31 commission meeting and various discussion points at Monday's meeting.
MCEDC:
The functions and purpose of the Marion County Economic Development Council (MCEDC) were discussed at both meetings. All agreed that the council served a positive purpose but also realized the limitations.
"I've been to the council meetings and there isn't a county perspective there," said Howard Collett, commission chairman. "Everyone is supportive of the other's activities but everyone has their own agenda."
Steve Garrett, administrator of the City of Hillsboro and chairman of MCEDC, stated at the Dec. 31 commission meeting some of his concerns.
"MCEDC has certain weaknesses," said Garrett. "There is no central person or (office) location. This is worth looking into."
Garrett added that "the wheel doesn't have to be reinvented so as not to perform the same tasks." He added that a one-hour monthly meeting was not enough.
Blackman said this was not an attempt to "take away from MCEDC but to provide more information."
Garrett voiced concerns about choosing a person to direct the program before the program is decided. He also pointed out that the purpose of MCEDC will change with a paid position.
Funding:
"Before we get a bunch of people involved, are we ready to commit one-half to one mill?" asked Leroy Wetta, commissioner. "If we're not ready to commit at that level, we'll be wasting people's time. The next question is 'who are we going to steal it from?' Where are we going to come up with the money?"
Collett and Bob Hein, commissioner, voiced their concerns.
"We didn't leave much 'wiggle' room for 2004," said Collett. Using the fund from the 2004 budget allotment for MCEDC is one option, Collett added.
Blackman said she did not want to see any money taken from MCEDC.
Hein said he was in favor of exploring the options but was concerned about the money.
"We need to see where we can come up with the money," Hein said.
Wetta asked Garrett the amount the City of Hillsboro had budgeted for economic development.
"One mill in a charter ordinance and one mill from utilities," said Garrett. One mill in Hillsboro is $13,000, for a total of $26,000.
Wetta thought that the City of Peabody has $30,000 allotted. Blackman said the City of Marion has $50,000 for development purposes.
The commissioners agreed that the need was apparent but not sure how to accomplish the task without any money.
"It's going to take an investment," said Collett. "I wished we could have discussed this in August."
"Wake-up call"
At last week's meeting, the commission got a "wake up call" about regional development.
"Every county has regional economic development affiliation except Marion County," said Thiessen.
"There's no white knight from Topeka to save us," said Thiessen. "We need to have a grass roots, bootstrap approach. We can't afford to do this alone.
"We're going to get left out if we don't form allegiances," added Thiessen.
"There is no economic development coordination within Marion County," said Blackman.
Blackman and Thiessen presented information to the commission related to forming a regional planning district in Marion County and the creation of a county-based office.
The former Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing has been promoting the regional approach for a number of years. This led to the formation of seven planning development companies throughout the state. Marion County is a member of SCKEDD, one of the seven companies, said Thiessen.
Following the change in governors and administration, the approach for regional planning has changed.
A statewide economic development summit was held in October. Before the statewide meeting was held, smaller groups met to discuss grassroots priorities and obstacles of development.
Marion County is a part of the south central alliance. This alliance then compiled information for the state summit.
From the summit, priorities and goals were set. The state was asked to assist with some of the programs and tasks.
"Alliances have been formed to participate in an economic development approach," said Thiessen. "Every county has regional affiliation except Marion County. There is still the absence of a county representative."
"We're (Marion County) in an enviable location," said Blackman, "and we're not selling the county as a whole."
"We've hashed economic development for a long time," said Collett, "but haven't gotten far. We need coordination."
Thiessen said that regional development always will be the agenda for development. A county economic development office is necessary to make this happen.
The Flint Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council's advisory board, of which Marion County is a participant, is willing to take the lead but needs state and county contacts.
Thiessen said that there are several regional development "models" for the county to consider. These concepts have been proven to work.
Others in attendance at the Dec. 31 meeting were David Mayfield, administrator of the City of Marion; Steve Garrett, administrator of the City of Hillsboro and chairman of the Marion County Economic Development Council (MCEDC); Carolyn Koehn, clerk of the City of Burns; Randy Dallke, mayor of the City of Peabody; Delores Dalke, mayor of the City of Hillsboro; and Leo Blackman, Marion resident.
Mayfield said the city supports the county and regional approaches.
"We've tried other things that haven't panned out," said Mayfield. "We're open for new ideas."
Wetta asked if a coordinator would be better than a director.
"I'm trying to do that as the chairman of the MCEDC," said Garrett. "I don't want to cause chafing between the county and the cities. A program needs to be determined."
Mayfield added that the City of Marion would use a county coordinator. "I could send a prospective business owner to the county coordinator to assist me."
"Who represents the rural business owner?" asked Koehn. "There are many rural businesses that could benefit from this."
Koehn added that "we have things in place but we need someone to coordinate and pull this all together."
Collett asked the amount of investment the group was considering.
Garrett related to the annual budget for economic development in Rooks County, where he previously resided.
"It was four or five years ago and their annual budget was $50,000," said Garrett. Garrett recalled that expenses were telephone, travel, mailings, salary, and benefits.
"How much are we (currently) spending on the county economic development council?" asked Wetta.
"$10,000 annually," said Garrett.
"I'm concerned about funding," said D. Dalke. "Do you have money in your budget?" she asked the commission.
The county's budget is already set for 2004.
"We'll know more after the audit," said Collett.
Wetta said he supports the idea to expand county valuation.
"We need to increase valuation in the county," said Wetta. "Let's put some money out and try to do this or do we keep paddling? The county's comprehensive plan could potentially increase valuation. Agriculture can't carry us any more. Sometime we have to step forward or we're not going to end up in any better shape."
R. Dallke asked if a task force could be set up to discuss the options.
Koehn suggested having individuals from other coalitions give presentations.
"I hear an urgency here that concerns me," said Wetta.
"I think we need to get something going," said Collett.
Blackman suggested an interlocal agreement between the county and the cities to share the costs.
Garrett responded that the cities are in the same position as the county — reduced revenues and set budgets for 2004.
Coordinator:
Thiessen recommended the hiring of Blackman as the county's development director.
"Peggy is connected with the agencies necessary to make this work," said Thiessen.
"There are a whole host of programs that are needed to be started for Marion County," Thiessen added. He said that Blackman has the contacts to get things accomplished.
"It's not good government to come with a person for the program," said Garrett. "I would rather see a program determined and then choose the person. We do need a coordinator county-wide but not sure if it's a full time position."
