Madison County boards agree to continue recruitment for economic developer while weighing employment and benefits structure

Madison County commissioners and the county'''s Industrial Development Board (IDBA) met May 2 to review candidates for a proposed economic development position and to discuss how that position would be employed and paid. The boards agreed to invite two finalists back for additional interviews, while staff were asked to further explore benefits and payroll options before a hiring decision.

The discussion matters because the economic developer role is intended to market the county to prospective businesses, coordinate with regional partners and state agencies and support implementation of the county'''s comprehensive plan. Board members repeatedly cited Georgia Department of Transportation corridor projects and the county'''s land-use plan as reasons to move forward with a staffed economic-development function.

Members and staff said the candidates showed relevant education and experience, including master'''s-level credentials and backgrounds in workforce development and local-government work. But the boards paused on making an offer because of uncertainty over employment structure and benefits. Susan (county staff) told the group a newly enacted…