ELK POINT - Two recommendations coming from the Elk Point Economic Development Committee’s March 8 meeting were the subject of lengthy discussions at last Monday’ meeting of Elk Point town council.
The first recommendation asked for a simplified version of the 2022 operating budget that would outline revenue and expenses, to give the EDC a clear picture of what the committee has available to spend on projects this year.
“Once the budget is set, we can just tell them how much they have to spend,” Mayor Parrish Tung said, assuring council that the EDC’s potion of administration and other expenses “is not deducted off the business license fees going to the EDC.”
The EDC’s potential projects requiring funding include items such as fees for a speaker for a business seminar, Coun. Tim Smereka noted, with Coun. Jason Boorse adding that the committee “just wants to make sure they keep it straight in their minds; they want to be proper stewards and keep it simple.”
The town’s operating budget will be finalized in April, and the mayor noted that four requisitions have come in since the interim operating budget was approved in late 2021. “Next month, we decided where we go, and how much we need to operate, and we ill have to modify to make it work.”
Council subsequently passed a motion to direct the administration to simplify the budget presentation by highlighting the pertinent information and provide it to the EDC for their clarification.
Secondly, the EDC asked council to clarify the committee’s mandate with objectives and purposes.
“We want to know what we should be focused on and how we can support the town,” Coun. Smereka said, referring to his role as a member at large of the committee. “Direction is lacking, and what does the town want the EDC to do? As volunteers, we are offering our time for free to support the town, but there is uncertainty of what to do. We need direction. We’re just here to help the town, and if the committee were dissolved, the town would lose seven volunteers.”
Coun. Wanda Cochrane, who represents council on the EDC, said the committee “wants a clear specific direction so we can work with the town. Send us directions.”
The mayor, who although he questioned if the EDC and the Elk Point and District Chamber of Commerce “are twins or a mixed identity?” said he feels the EDC could be “the cheerleader of the town, providing a public relations image. Perception is so important, I’m being blunt, but I’m protective of the town. We (council) are a legislative body, and the administration directs.”
A motion was passed indicating that after the upcoming strategic planning session, the town will give the EDC specific objectives that the town wants the committee to tackle.
