County moves forward with development position
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission approved the hiring of a county economic development coordinator Tuesday for a three-year trial period.
The commission will directly supervise and evaluate the position.
The decision was a result of discussion with the public during a special meeting Thursday evening.
A group of county residents will be selected to assist with the interview process.
Concerned Marion and Hillsboro residents attended Tuesday's commission meeting to offer support for the position and suggestions.
Megan Kilgore of Hillsboro Management Board, told the commission it was important for the county to realize that implementation of the position doesn't automatically guarantee success.
"Personally, I believe if you want to succeed, you have to fund it more heavily than $50,000," Kilgore said. She added it would be a "great asset" for the county.
Commissioner Dan Holub said the interview process was crucial and wanted to involve people from various backgrounds. Holub also would like to see an advisory board for economic development.
Commissioner Randy Dallke suggested members of Marion County Economic Development Council be utilized for the advisory board and with the interview process.
Dallke said he had received some telephone calls from farmers who are not in favor of the position but wants to include them in the process to help them understand the purpose and need.
Applications will be open to anyone — living in or out of the county. One stipulation may be for the person to live in the county when hired.
The commission would like the position filled by May but will advertise until an applicant is hired.
Public supports position
Nearly 40 people attended a special Marion County Commission meeting Thursday evening which was called to specifically hear comments from mayors and residents.
Expressed concerns were the funding of the position, improved housing to accommodate growth, and business-friendly zoning regulations that would encourage development.
Grass roots development, which is assisting established businesses with growth, was the lament of most who spoke.
Mayors and residents from Marion, Hillsboro, Peabody, Florence, Burns, Lincolnville, Lehigh, Ramona, and Tampa were in attendance.
No one specifically said they were against the idea and offered advice to the commission in the hiring and development processes.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said there had been a lack of communication between cities and county and he wanted constituents to be a part of major decisions.
When commission chairman Bob Hein asked for comments from commission district one, Steve Garrett, Hillsboro city administrator, responded the meeting was the commission's and he wanted to hear the opinions of the commissioners.
Commissioner Dan Holub said he was strongly in favor of the position.
"There is no central point of contact," Holub said. "There is no one actively promoting the county."
He said the person's focus would be in assisting with expansion of existing businesses.
"Site selection would be by qualifications, not preferential treatment," Holub said. "It's going to take a full-time position. There's a lot of ground work to do."
Hein said the person would need a strong business background.
Dallke said the person would work with Marion County Economic Development Council and Leadership Marion County.
"The county has been divisive," Dallke said. "We all need to work together."
He said he wanted to hear ideas of how this could be funded. One option is for the county to fund the position "which may increase taxes," Dallke said.
Delores Dalke, mayor of Hillsboro, said she was not opposed to the position but was concerned about funding.
"Let (all of the) county residents pay for it," Dalke said. "I'm not in favor of the cities funding it. Rural residents should pay for it as well."
She noted the importance of the two lakes in the county and the reduction of nearly 100,000 tourists at the reservoir since the algae outbreak, stating the water issue needed to be resolved.
Ron Duerksen, mayor of Lehigh, said he was in favor of the position but was concerned about the inclusion of the smaller communities.
Hein reassured Duerksen all communities would be included.
Holub said a representative from Kansas Department of Commerce could work with each community with community profiles for the state web site.
Dallke noted there were some communities positioned to accommodate a 25-employee business and all cities in the county would benefit from the growth.
He also said the county developer would assist rural businesses, not just businesses located within city limits. Holub agreed and said agri-business would be supported.
Victor Burns, mayor of Lincolnville, said he was concerned about the county employment rate. Could the county support growth or would employees move from existing jobs to take new jobs in the county?
Garrett said the county's unemployment rate was at five percent.
Jim Clemmer, mayor of Tampa, noted there was a recent labor survey conducted for the county by Marion County Economic Development Council. Information from that survey could be updated and utilized by the county position.
Martin Tice, mayor of Marion, said the county was "way past due" in creating this position.
"I see the date on this report of Jan. 28, 2001," Tice said, referring to the position description developed by a task committee. "It's been a year and we still haven't accomplished anything."
He said the most equitable way to fund it would be on a county level and it must be funded properly.
"If we low-budget it, we'll get what we paid for," Tice said.
Pat Wick, mayor of Ramona, said Ramona was the smallest community in the county with less than 100 people with a restricted budget that would not afford them the opportunity to contribute to a county position.
"It makes you look at your resources," Wick said. "(The position) would be a great boon" for Ramona and the county.
Tom Schmidt, acting mayor of Peabody, said if the county doesn't sell itself, no one else will.
He said his concern was how it would work with the existing county economic development council and leadership group, and development efforts within the cities.
"Cities need to groom and prepare for growth," Schmidt said. "This position would be a clearinghouse."
Later in the meeting, the commission addressed the concern with the coordination of the county developer with individual cities.
The county developer would facilitate by making initial contact with potential businesses. The cities that matched the needs of the prospective business would be informed and it would be the responsibility of the cities to be poised and prepared for the business.
"This (county position) would be very beneficial in assisting us with our efforts," said Mary Glenn, mayor of Burns.
Sue Klassen, mayoral candidate for Florence, asked the commission the amount of funds the county would require from the individual cities.
"Money is tight in Florence," Klassen said. She also asked if the commission was going to hire out-of-county to eliminate prejudices.
Holub said he would like to involve residents from around the county, not just within the cities, in the interview process.
Dallke commented that Goessel mayor Peggy Jay was unable to attend because the Goessel City Council was meeting the same time as this special meeting.
He did talk with her about her concerns and was told she was concerned about opportunities going to other towns and not Goessel or other smaller communities.
"If a business is landed in one community, it will help everyone," Dallke said.
Garrett said the county economic development council already has the framework for successful development and the paid county position would add a little "muscle" to their efforts.
He suggested the commission establish expectations before hiring.
Carole Spohn of Tampa Community Association, said farmers and other rural businesses needed to be included in the process. She suggested the commission make contact with Farm Bureau Association.
Wick agreed and said agri-tourism needed to be promoted.
Garrett suggested rural residents be appointed to the county's development council.
Stan Thiesen of Hillsboro suggested those who had completed leadership classes be considered for the appointment.
Signage also was discussed. Dalke said current county zoning regulations prohibit the placement of signs along highways because those areas are zoned agriculture. With this restriction, there can be no signs informing travelers of the county's assets, she added.
Commissioner Dallke agreed with the Hillsboro mayor.
"I've noticed every other county having signs welcoming travelers," Dallke said. "There aren't any signs in Marion County."
It was noted there were older, promotional signs of "Wake Up to Marion County."
Michael Hamilton, owner of The Cookie Jar, a restaurant in Goessel, said grant writing needed to be "outsourced." He also suggested the commission define "good business prospects" and "good starting wage."
"I also would appreciate a clause that would not allow a Wal-Mart in Marion County," Hamilton said.
He wanted to know the positions of members of the county's zoning board.
Housing improvement should be all communities' top priority, Hamilton said, and should be addressed.
Holub said the zoning board would not be a problem with the development position but the concern of the county commission.
"We need to take a look at a change in the county's strategic plan," Holub said.
Jim Davis, owner of Jim Davis Air Conditioning of Marion, asked the commission why a person was being hired when "we don't know what we want?"
Dallke explained the goal was to have the developer make contacts and take prospects directly to the communities.
Davis responded he was concerned about the county's history for development.
"We've already killed a landfill," Davis said, "
Holub said the employee would be a facilitator that would complement existing groups already operating within the county.
"It's reached a point where it can't go any further (without a paid position)," Holub said.
Questions then were asked about feedlots being placed in communities. The commission explained feedlots cannot be placed without the county environmental officer and Kansas Department of Health and Environment approving the operation.
Wick said the county needed someone who was aware of the county's environment and use some common sense in what was pursued.
Don Kraus, rural Marion resident, said he also was concerned about zoning issues hampering development efforts. He also encouraged the support of local businesses.
Dalke said she was concerned about the county's budget if more than the allotted $50,000 was needed for the position.
Commissioner Dallke said the commission was probably looking at May before a person would be hired and the allotted amount could cover the department for the remainder of the year.
He thought a one mill increase, about $94,000, would cover expenses for the new department.
