Rusk County approves $18,000 from mining reuse fund to help Chamber of Commerce retain director

The finance committee approved a resolution to designate $18,000 from the county's mining reuse fund to help the local Chamber of Commerce retain and support a director-level employee. Committee members said the Chamber has had frequent turnover in recent years and that a modest, ongoing county contribution would help the Chamber retain continuity for economic-development and tourism-related services.

Committee discussion covered whether the county should employ or contract Chamber staff (human-resources and insurance complications were cited), how the funding would interact with city and local development corporation contributions, and how long the county would continue annual support. Staff said the city and the Ladysmith Development Corporation had agreed to contribute matching amounts; the $18,000 transfer would not affect the tax levy but would reduce available mining-fund balance.

Committee members asked for clear wording in any future agreement to ensure the county could end funding if the fund balance changed. During the discussion participants cited different fund-balance figures in the packet and in conversation: a staff figure cited roughly $511,003.99 in the mining reuse fund and another report line showed $1,162,000 in historical figures; committee members asked staff to confirm balances. After debate a motion to approve the resolution passed on a voice vote; the committee forwarded the resolution to the full county board for final action.

The committee said the Chamber director would continue to report to the Chamber board; the county's contribution is a fiscal support payment rather than hiring or supervising the Chamber employee.