Commissioners weigh city cost‑share to restore economic development staff amid push for commercial growth

John McCrae, economic development, told the Miami County Board of Commissioners the office’s proposed budget for next year is largely unchanged from this year but consolidates some funds to prepare for World Cup–related marketing and potential professional services needs. “The proposed budget that you have for next year is very similar to the 1 that we currently are under, with the exception of me consolidating some of the funds in a couple of the core areas,” McCrae said.

The discussion centered on whether the county should restore a part‑time economic development position and whether cities should help pay for it. Commissioner Paul (name not provided) proposed asking the county’s three core cities — Paola, Lewisburg and Osawatomie — for $15,000 each annually, Spring Hill for $7,500 and Fontana for $3,000 to help fund the position and offset county costs. He characterized the ask as a way to give cities “skin in the game” and to make additional staff time available for city‑facing economic development work.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the request as an operational change intended to increase the county’s capacity to pursue grants, assist local businesses and complete site certification that supports marketing land for investment. Commissioners repeatedly returned to longer‑term infrastructure constraints — sewer, utilities and zoning — as the fundamental barriers to attracting commercial development that would raise the county’s commercial property tax base.

McCrae and other participants described recent achievements and ongoing efforts. McCrae summarized a tourism grant done in partnership with the Department of Commerce to test digital advertising and tracking, and said broadband remains a priority but has been dependent on state and federal funding announcements expected in the summer. He pointed to partnerships on housing and a federal home loan bank award that, he said, leveraged nearly $3,000,000 in outside funds while operating on a roughly $150,000–$175,000 budget.

Several commissioners and participants pushed back that economic development must address foundational constraints before additional programming will produce higher commercial tax revenue. Commissioner Paul said Miami County’s commercial property currently represents about 8.41% of property tax revenue and argued the county needs to increase commercial value through land availability, utility access and incentives. “We need to zone, make zoning around the cities so commercial peaks — larger lots, 10 or 20 acres,” Paul said.

Supporters of restoring staff time stressed the practical, day‑to‑day value the county office provides to small business owners and banks that refer entrepreneurs. Blake Hyde, president and CEO of First Option Bank, told the commission, “I send a lot of people to Janet. She’ll put you in touch with the right sources for what it is you wanna do.” Hyde said bankers and other local advisers rely on the county office as a single point of contact across municipalities.

Accounting and cost‑share details: McCrae explained an auditor’s accounting change reclassified certain city reimbursements from revenue lines into membership expenses (cost share is now credited against membership expense rather than shown separately as income). McCrae said most of the department’s non‑staff discretionary spending is under $30,000 (for things such as mileage and visitor guides).

Open questions and next steps: Commissioners asked staff to prepare a proposal to take to the cities for a contribution; no formal vote or appropriation was taken at the hearing. Several commissioners expressed reluctance to restore a position without city contributions. McCrae said staff will continue work on site certification and broadband as funding permits.

Ending: Commissioners closed the item with direction to pursue a conversation with the cities about voluntary contributions tied to resumed staffing; there was no formal motion or vote recorded.