Commissioners discuss EDC bylaw change that gives commission appointee a vote and explore sustainable funding options

Douglas County commissioners on June 25 discussed changes to the Economic Development Corporation's bylaws that make the county commission's appointee or designee a voting member and flagged next steps on sustainable funding and board composition.

Commissioners said the EDC recently passed new bylaws that, among other changes, make the county commission's appointee or a designee a voting member. The same change applies to the city commission's appointee. Commissioners discussed whether the county should continue to appoint an elected commissioner as its voting member or instead designate county staff or a community member.

Members also discussed setting goals and committees intended to improve attendance and engagement. Commissioners and EDC leadership identified four goal areas and committee structures to drive work plans; the goals were developed by EDC leadership and staff and discussed and voted on at a May EDC meeting, according to the transcript. Commissioners said they may reconsider the size of the EDC board if attendance does not improve.

One commissioner said they will serve as co-chair for a sustainable funding committee for the EDC and noted that the county is exploring alternative funding models, including models used elsewhere in the state.

County staff (Sarah) reminded commissioners of upcoming administrative items: a quarterly lunch with district court judges on July 1 and a 4:00 p.m. work session next week on consolidated fire district number 1 and an analysis from EFCI.

No formal county-level change to the EDC appointment process was recorded at the June 25 meeting; the transcript records a discussion of the EDC's internal bylaw changes and steps staff and commissioners may take going forward.