City to hire economic developer
Staff reporter
Marion City Commission approved Monday to advertise for an economic development professional.
It has been nearly two years since the city had a person in a similar position.
Before the commission unanimously approved the move, commissioner Jim Crofoot said he was not against the hiring for that position but wanted to wait until the county finalized its development position.
He also said he was concerned with the source of funding the position.
There are sufficient funds from city sales tax for the next two years but he did not know how it would be funded after that.
Revenue from city sales tax funds the bond and interest payments for the city's industrial park with about $32,000 (annually) in excess funds remaining that could be applied toward the position.
City administrator David Mayfield said he had included $80,000 in the city's 2006 budget — planning a salary of $40,000 to $45,000 plus $10,000 for benefits and the remainder for department expenses.
He had contacted the Coffey County economic development professional and received position descriptions for Coffey County and for the City of Lyndon.
Marion Chamber of Commerce President Jami Williams said it would be a smart move for the city.
"The job should be business retention and promote new business," Williams said.
Following Crofoot's comment regarding the county's developer position, Williams said the city needed a developer to accommodate the county developer with prospective businesses.
The managing editor of Hoch Publishing Company Donna Bernhardt said the city couldn't afford to wait.
"I don't think we can afford not to have one," Bernhardt said. "The longer we wait the more opportunities we're going to miss."
Following comments from the commission and the public, mayor Martin Tice made the motion to advertise and hire a developer and place it in the 2006 budget; commissioner Max Hayen seconded the motion; and all three voted yes.
The commission will review a plan of action to advertise and hire someone for the position at Tuesday's meeting.
