County staff proposes formal contracts for outside agencies to tie funding to services

Andy, a Sawyer County staff member, proposed creating contracts for external organizations that receive county funding so payments would be tied to a defined set of services and performance expectations.

Andy said the proposed contracts would attach a list of services — to be customized for each organization — such as creating a travel guide, maintaining a website, advertising and attending trade shows for the convention bureau; and spelled-out deliverables for the economic development corporation, fair and senior resource center. He said the contracts would not change current activities but would provide a vehicle to update services year to year and add assessment tools. “It lays out, you know, the role of the contractor…and it attaches a services to be provided by contractor,” Andy said.

Andy said similar arrangements already exist for some entities: the senior resource center has a memorandum of understanding that could be folded into an attachment, and the county has a lease with the fairgrounds that includes terms about the grounds. He said he planned to have contract templates and attachments ready for committee consideration next month so the board could approve them during its budget process.

Committee members did not take formal action on the proposal during this meeting.