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County deveoloper position may be in 2005 budget years ago

Will discuss again at Monday's meeting

Staff reporter

A Marion County economic development coordinator position is still up in the air following 30 minutes of discussion Monday by Marion County Commission.

Marion County Clerk Carol Maggard was asked to once again provide a source for the funds and possible office space information at Monday's meeting.

Commission chairman Leroy Wetta said the cost of the position could be on the 2005 budget with the newly elected commission making final decisions.

Wetta said he was concerned about a "lame duck" commission with two of the three commissioners being replaced in six months.

"How strong are we going to support this?" Wetta asked the other two commissioners.

Commissioner Bob Hein indicated he was not going to support the position until he knows where the funds will come from and where the office will be located.

Hein, commissioner of district three, is the only incumbent commissioner who will remain in office after Jan. 1. Districts one and two commissioners, Wetta and Howard Collett, did not file for re-election.

Wetta said positions of the other two new commissioners are not known at this point.

"Until Bob comes strongly on board, I suggest we put a line item in the 2005 budget," Wetta suggested. "If Bob says 'go forward,' then we'll move forward now."

Collett began the discussion in support of the position.

"We appointed a task force in February," Collett said. "It's time we either fish or cut bait."

Collett said he would like to see unification of the county.

"We need somebody (in this position) with passion and energy more than anything," Collett said. "I propose we move forward."

Wetta said he agreed with Collett about moving forward.

"Cities are devoting a considerable amount of budget funds for economic development," Wetta said.

Steve Garrett, Hillsboro city administrator, the only person in attendance for the discussion, said Hillsboro spends $30,000 annually for development efforts.

The county currently contributes $10,000 to Marion County Economic Development Council for county development efforts, Wetta said.

"The county is not a player. Unincorporated areas are not players due to isolation," Wetta said.

Garrett asked the commission what the goals are of the development coordinator.

"What do you want to see?" asked Garrett. "I think we want to see something 'better' (than what we have now) but 'coordination' means something different to everyone."

Collett said his definition of coordination is countywide encouragement of local businesses, employment, value-added products and services, information available for businesses regarding training, and other factions of business.

Wetta said he envisioned a county incubator where everyone works together.

"There's a lot of activity going on in the county," Wetta said. "It's not well-publicized. Everyone is reinventing the same wheel."

Garrett asked the commission how they can get the results they desire.

The commission responded they hoped to get results.

"I think you can do better than hoping," Garrett responded. "So many times I've seen this happen — 'Let's do some good things in our communities'. You've got to know what you're shooting for." He said he didn't want to see the program fail.

"The county spends $90,000 a year (through county extension office) for farmers without any guarantees," Collett said.

Garrett asked if some of this development assistance could be provided by the county extension office.

All agreed it would be a part-time position with no benefits. No salary amount was discussed.

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