Commissioners received an update on Westgate-related economic development and took two administrative steps: the board scheduled a public hearing on an amendment to the county’s economic development area (the TIF area) and confirmed the next meeting date.

A speaker reporting on Westgate told the board that the RGA lobbying group and Westgate leadership had met with a state committee chair and that Westgate leaders see an opportunity for increased funding. The speaker said Westgate voted to approve about $172,000 for upgraded microphones and volume controls in the conference center to support hybrid meetings and that Westgate leaders expect increased facility use from nearby employers, which could shorten the payback on that investment.

The commission then addressed the agenda item titled “schedule public meeting and final action amendment of the economic development area” (the transcript refers to this as the TIF area amendment). Staff said a public hearing would be scheduled in November; a motion to schedule the public hearing was made, seconded by Joshua and passed by voice vote. The board also confirmed its next regular meeting will be in November at 8:30 a.m. in the same meeting room.

During the Westgate report, commissioners and staff also discussed related development topics including the Munitions Campus, workforce needs (day care capacity was discussed, with one speaker saying an estimate of 200 children had been floated for a proposed facility), and interest from potential restaurant and retail investments near county-owned property adjacent to the hotel.

No ordinance text or final TIF amendment language was presented at the meeting; commissioners approved scheduling a public hearing so the amendment can be presented and acted on at a later date.