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Commissioners debate cutting economic development post to close budget gap; OK $500 for county museum tour
Summary
As the county faces a projected budget shortfall, commissioners discussed eliminating the economic development director position to save roughly $53,000 toward revenue neutrality; they separately approved $500 in refreshment support and a half‑page advertising buy to support a multi‑museum tour.
Commissioners debated whether to eliminate the county’s economic development director position to help close a projected budget gap, with one commissioner proposing the position be left vacant or removed for the coming year and the others asking to proceed carefully and resolve budget numbers first.
The board heard that eliminating the position and moving remaining budgeted dollars to cash reserves would narrow the shortfall substantially; staff told commissioners a tentative calculation showed the county would be about $53,000 from revenue neutrality if economic development funds were carried forward.
Commissioners also approved funding requested by the Linn County historical societies for a coordinated museum weekend. Janet Reynolds, treasurer of the Lacey Historical Society, described a planned passport program and event schedule for five museums. The board approved $100 per museum for refreshments (total $500), up to 200 printed passport booklets, and a half‑page advertisement in the local paper; economic development staff said the department’s contractual line was overspent and that the funds would be charged to contractual but remain under the overall department budget.
Why it matters: commissioners said economic development priorities have not consistently advanced under current commission direction, and some suggested trimming or pausing the position as a way to reduce near‑term budget pressure. Others urged preserving committee work and tourism efforts, and directed that volunteers and committee chairs continue activities while the board decides staffing.
Discussion outcomes included directing staff to bring budget worksheets to the immediate budget workshop, exploring reassigning specific duties (website, airport, ARPA oversight), and asking county staff to continue supporting the museum event planning. A motion to allocate the $500 and advertising for the museum tour passed with unanimous approval.
