Commission delays decision for county development position
Staff reporter
During Monday's Marion County Commission meeting, commissioners discussed the county economic development coordinator position job description.
Bruce Wells, the facilitator for the Marion County Economic Development Task Force and Flint Hills RC&D (Resource Conservation and Development) Council director, reviewed the description as given to the commissioners.
Members of the task force reached a consensus for 28 items to be included in the description.
Howard Collett, commissioner, noted the key to success was the "ability to qualify good prospects (business contacts)."
Stan Thiessen, who assisted Wells with the facilitation and a business technician with South Central Kansas Economic Development District, advised the commission of the importance of the next step.
Thiessen stated there is a sensitivity issue regarding the existing Marion County Economic Development Council and the county coordinator.
"If we cannot access the same coordination (between the cities) currently in place. This won't work," said Thiessen.
Marion County is included in the Flint Hills region with 15 counties. Of the 15 counties, 10 are going backward and "Marion County is one of them," added Thiessen.
Peggy Blackman, Marion resident, said she recently had attended a Kansas Department of Commerce meeting where emphasis was placed on the regional concept.
"The state is putting over $1 million in regional concept instead of each one working independently," said Blackman.
Leroy Wetta, commission chairman, said the group was getting "hung up on the details and that's not the real issue. We can't burn any bridges," Wetta said.
Thiessen and Blackman agreed with Wetta.
"We've been having meetings in Chase County," said Thiessen. "They don't have anything to lose. There's no need to discuss roads and bridges there because there's no tax base. This is a critical issue for the county (Marion)."
Wetta asked the other commissioners for a consensus to move forward to write the job description and advertise for the position.
Bob Hein, commissioner, asked where the funds would come from.
Judy Houdyshell, vehicle department employee, stated her concerns, not only as an employee but as a taxpayer regarding the creation of another position.
"In my office, we're working with two people when we're supposed to have three," said Houdyshell. The third position was terminated in 2003 by the commissioners due to budget constraints.
Houdyshell also noted the lack of a pay increase for county employees.
"We're concerned not only as employees but as taxpayers," added Houdyshell. "We think the timing is off."
Also in attendance were Kerry Maag, road and bridge office employee, and sheriff Lee Becker.
Houdyshell said she had checked with other counties regarding a paid economic development position.
"Most have volunteers," said Houdyshell. She noted it is a huge advantage for cities.
Becker said he was curious about the funding.
"There has been a $70,000 cutback in my department's budget in the past two years," said Becker.
"We're looking at two different issues here," said Wetta. "What we have to look at is long term consideration.
"If we continue to stagnate, we'll be in worse shape 10 years from now," Wetta emphasized. "There are two ways to fund this — increase valuations or mill levy. I'd rather increase valuations than increasing the mill levy.
"If we don't take care of our long term, our short term won't matter," Wetta added.
Houdyshell said she had talked with some of the members of the Marion County Economic Development Council and was told of their concerns and resentment about the proposed position.
Becker asked if grants were available for the position.
Hein reiterated he thinks a paid economic development position is important but was still concerned about the funding source.
Wetta said the funding source could be the contingency fund.
Houdyshell asked why it was so important to do this now.
Wetta responded there is a new governor with new ideas who is promoting the regional approach.
Hein commented he would like to wait a week before making any decisions about the next step for the position.
Collett responded he was not sure if "we're crowded for time but I do want to move forward.
"We need to increase valuations in this county and this is a step in doing this," Collett said.
"We need to move in a united way. If Bob wants to wait a week, then we need to wait."
Collett added he thought they could find a way to fund the position.
Wetta noted the employee benefits fund will have additional funds available, due to the decrease in cost for employees' health insurance.
"There are other funds under budget. Maybe there are some funds available for raises," said Wetta.
David Mayfield, Marion city administrator, suggested to the commissioners to prioritize the essential functions for the job description.
The topic will be on the commission agenda for the March 22 meeting
