A councilor proposed dissolving the Caribou Development Committee (CDC), saying the committee’s work largely duplicates that of the Caribou Economic Growth Council (CEGC). Council discussion focused on overlap of functions, the danger of losing distinct services such as loan management, and the procedural requirement that dissolution occur by ordinance.

Councilors agreed not to take an immediate vote to dissolve the CDC and asked staff to draft an ordinance for consideration at a future meeting; the manager said an ordinance would need introduction at one meeting and a vote after the required public hearing at the second meeting (two meetings total). Meanwhile, councilors directed that the committee remain active while discussions about possible consolidation continue.

Why it matters: The CDC historically managed loans and at times led local economic-development work; the council and stakeholders said any merger should preserve loan, real-estate and “hand-holding” support services so those functions are not lost in consolidation.

Discussion highlights
- Overlap and duplication: Multiple councilors noted that CDC and the CEGC perform many similar tasks; some councilors urged allowing the two groups to negotiate a merger or alignment.
- Process required: Councilors and staff noted that dissolving a committee requires an ordinance and public process; the earliest timeline cited for a possible dissolution would be late January, after introduction and two-meeting public hearing requirements.
- Interim approach: Councilors said the committee should remain active while the groups discuss consolidation; the council will revisit the matter after staff drafts an ordinance or the groups propose a merger.

Ending: No formal dissolution vote occurred. The council instructed staff to prepare an ordinance for the next meeting and left the CDC active while talks continue.