Lake Wales EDC seeks $50,000 contract increase; commissioners ask for deliverables, matching funds

The Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council asked the City of Lake Wales for a $50,000 increase to its $125,000 annual contract to add staff and cover building maintenance, but commissioners said they want clearer deliverables and potential matching funds before approving the change.

Chamber and EDC President and CEO Skip Alford told the commission his organization needs an additional staffer because existing employees "are about maxed stretch thin" and that the extra funding would also cover building maintenance items such as removal of a damaged oak tree. "I need somebody that is gonna have to be able to help me do these things," Alford said, explaining that Lori is part time and Allison and he cannot absorb more work without hiring.

The request prompted detailed budget and governance questions. City staff told commissioners the EDC's current contract with the city provides $125,000 annually; Alford reported additional revenue of $31,004.60 from EDC partners and trustees. Alford also said EDC membership starts at $2,500 and that the council has about 22 to 23 members.

Several commissioners expressed support for the EDC's mission but raised two recurring concerns: (1) specificity and measurables for any contract increase, and (2) the degree to which city funding creates dependency for nonprofit partners. Commissioner Thompson summarized that the city often provides more than seed funding and said, "we're not just the seed, we're the whole farm." Commissioner Gibson proposed exploring matching funds from EDC investors so the city would not become the sole ongoing funder. "I would personally feel a responsibility as a commissioner voting on something like that to make sure that that's covered one way or the other," Gibson said.

Commissioners asked staff and Alford to return with a revised proposal that ties the six program areas Alford outlined to specific, measurable deliverables and to consider a funding structure that includes investor matching or phased city support. The commission did not vote on the amendment at the workshop; several members signaled they were not ready to act on Tuesday’s agenda and favored a brief pause to craft metrics and funding options.

Alford framed the request as an investment in the city’s capacity to pursue leads and prepare land for industry, citing a mixed pipeline of prospects that require varying acreage and infrastructure. He emphasized workforce development, airport access and the need for more shovel-ready industrial sites as reasons for a growth in EDC activity. He also said some of the requested funds would be used for near-term facility needs, including removal of a tree struck by lightning that he said could cost "several thousand dollars" to mitigate.

Commissioners and staff proposed next steps: city staff will work with Alford to identify measurable deliverables tied to Article 2 of the existing contract, evaluate whether a matching-incentive structure is feasible, and return to the commission with a revised amendment and recommended metrics. No formal vote or contract amendment was approved at the meeting.

Why it matters: the EDC contract funds the city's primary local economic development partner. Any change to the contract affects the general fund and sets precedent for the city’s relationships with other nonprofit partners.