Board amends Economic Development Commission code to clarify authority for loan-review and related tasks

The Village Board on July 21 amended section 1.379 of the Germantown municipal code to update language describing the Economic Development Commission's duties and to make explicit that the commission may undertake tasks the board assigns, including vetting loan applications under village economic programs. Village attorney Brian Sajak explained the changes were requested by Trustee Jan Miller and the Economic Development Commission to modernize the code and to avoid ambiguity about the commission's authority when the village asks it to administer or vet specific programs. Trustees debated whether making program references too specific in code would require frequent future amendments; the final draft kept the language general while clarifying the commission's delegated duties. Trustees approved the ordinance change; Trustee Baum expressed concerns about adding specifics to code and voted no. Supporters said the revision provides helpful clarity without locking the village into named participants or bank partners. The amendment does not itself create a loan program or change existing programs; it clarifies the commission's authority to act when directed by the Village Board or Plan Commission.