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Commissioners approve interlocal agreement framework to reactivate joint economic development board, citing state grant eligibility
Summary
After a presentation and questions about membership tweaks, the board voted 13–0 (one absent) to approve signing an updated interlocal agreement with the city to reestablish a joint economic development board, with the county allowing the mayor discretion not to sign if substantive changes appear.
Hickman County commissioners voted on Feb. 24 to approve, on the county’s side, an updated interlocal agreement with the city to reset the joint economic development board and preserve the county’s eligibility for state grants. The motion to approve the county signing the draft agreement was made by Commissioner Clark and seconded by Commissioner Collins; the roll call recorded 13 yes and one absent.
County staff presenter Crystal Moore told commissioners the revised two-page interlocal agreement is intended to restore an active, recognized joint board, a prerequisite for state grant programs and for maintaining the county’s three-star certification eligibility. Moore said the county’s deadline to submit the agreement to the state is March 31 and that the city’s board or aldermen will consider the item on March 11; she asked the commission to approve the county’s portion so the county could move quickly once the city completes its process.
Moore said she and a small group — including Mayor Bates, the county attorney and city leadership — worked to streamline language and membership lists. She cautioned there may be minor tweaks (for example, one or two member names might change if appointees decline to continue). Commissioners questioned whether approving the county side before the city finished its review was appropriate; Moore and other commissioners said anticipated tweaks would be limited to membership names and not to the document’s substance.
Commissioner Clark moved to approve the agreement “barring no substantive changes,” and said the mayor and county attorney would have discretion not to sign if a significant change was proposed. Commissioner Collins seconded. The motion passed on roll call with the usual recorded tally of 13 yes and one absent.
Moore and others noted the state’s deadline and urged quick follow-up to allow the state time to review the executed interlocal agreement. If the city submits the document on the timeline discussed, county staff said the county could file the agreement with the state in late March.
