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Board tables economic-development procurement; supervisors ask for joint meeting with town before hiring consultant
Summary
A motion to proceed with procurement for economic-development staffing and consulting was debated and ultimately tabled to Nov. 5 after supervisors requested a joint meeting with the town to discuss shared objectives and cost-sharing possibilities.
The Warren County Board of Supervisors debated whether to authorize the finance department to solicit a consultant and staff resources to restart and reshape the county's economic development function.
Proponents argued a consultant would facilitate evaluation of roles, help design an appropriate economic-development director position and accelerate projects currently in due diligence. Opponents said the county should first hold a meeting with Front Royal town officials to explore shared options before spending county funds on consulting and staff recruitment.
Supervisor Cullars and others pressed for a joint discussion with the town; supporters of moving forward said solicitation language already includes facilitation and could help structure that shared conversation. After discussion, the board voted to table the procurement item and hold a joint meeting with town officials on Nov. 5 to discuss EDA (Economic Development Authority) roles and possible cost-sharing of any consultant or staff resources.
The motion to table passed on roll-call vote. The board also discussed timing concerns tied to upcoming grant and development opportunities that supervisors said might favor earlier engagement on economic-development support.
The item remains tabled to the Nov. 5 meeting; the request for a joint county–town meeting was adopted as direction to staff.
