Council approves LEADCO 2025–26 budget and confirms appointments to economic development board

City Council voted on Sept. 11 to approve the LEADCO (Longview economic development) 2025–26 budget and confirmed appointments to the LEADCO/LECO board after a presentation from the organization's representative.

LEADCO representative Wayne Mansfield presented the proposed $8,100,000 budget and described recent activity, including site visits, active project pipelines and a mix of Type A (industry recruitment and retention) and Type B (community development) projects. Mansfield said LEADCO has committed nearly $17,000,000 in Type B projects since 2016 to support parks, public safety and infrastructure and that the budget plans $3,000,000 in available funds for new economic development projects in the coming year.

Mansfield reviewed metrics and recent local developments, highlighted LEADCO’s contributions to trails, parks, transit support and infrastructure, and said the organization continues work on several active project leads. Council members asked questions about job creation reporting, the duration of debt on trail bonds, and the composition and selection process for LEADCO board members; Mansfield explained board terms, staggered appointments and sought to reassure council that the board’s membership focuses on business expertise rather than political representation.

Council approved the LEADCO budget by motion and vote. The council also considered a resolution appointing members to the LEADCO/LECO board; members discussed representation across council districts and the board’s nonpolitical selection criteria before the resolution was ultimately approved as part of the consent agenda.