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After debate, commission OKs economic development request

June 15, 2006|Mike Moore

After much debate, the Nicholasville City Commission decided to honor the Jessamine County Economic Development Authority's request for $50,000 in funding for the 2007 fiscal year. The money will come out of the city's general fund

which passed its first reading Tuesday.

It was never in question whether or not the city would fund the authority's request as members of the commission all agreed it is vital to support the economic board.

They did, however, question the board's results in light of the recent announcement that Perfection Components will leave Nicholasville for Danville sometime in 2007.

"I question what they do with the budget now," Commissioner Chris Moore said at Tuesday's special called meeting.

The economic board operates on a $100,000 budget, of which about 80 percent goes toward salaries of the economic development's staff.

At the March 23 city commission meeting, economic board director Wayne Foster presented the request for funds to the board. At that time, Foster - who acts under the authority of the 6-member economic board - told the commission that less than 3 percent of the economic board's budget goes toward marketing, which caught the attention the commission.

The main purpose of the economic development is attract new business and keep current businesses in place.

"We've got to keep our businesses here and add to them and not let them get away," Commissioner Johnny Collier said.

The commission also OK'd in the first reading of the general fund budgets request made by Nicholasville Now! ($30,000); Jessamine County Senior Citizens Center ($30,000); Jessamine County Safe House ($10,000); Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce ($8,000); Victim's Advocacy Center ($4,400); Bluegrass ADD ($2,755); Jessamine Amateur Wireless Society ($400); Tom Lockridge -Victims Advocacy ($1,500); Cpl. Doyle Cobb-DAV Chapter 168 ($1,700); Jessamine County Association of Exceptional Citizens ($2,000); Jessamine County Humane Society ($5,000); and the Art Depository ($2,500).

The second reading of the general fund budget will be this afternoon at 4 p.m. at city hall.

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