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Emmons County commissioners debate creating job development authority, $25,000 request for irrigation project draws concern
Summary
Commissioners discussed forming a job development authority (JDA) with a levy of up to 4 mills, potential revenue per mill of roughly $38,000
Emmons County commissioners spent an extended portion of the meeting debating whether to create a county job development authority (JDA) to provide a standing funding mechanism for economic projects and whether the county should provide a one-time $25,000 contribution to an irrigation feasibility project.
Commissioners discussed statutory authority, funding mechanics and politics. Staff pulled Century Code language showing the board can create or discontinue a JDA by resolution, and electors can also petition to remove a JDA. Commissioners who spoke described a JDA mill levy ceiling of 4 mills and estimated that each mill would raise roughly $38,000 to $42,000 countywide depending on included city valuations.
Why it matters: a county-level JDA would give Emmons County a formal mechanism to pool funds for economic-development projects, but it also could trigger public pushback because it is funded by a property-tax mill levy and because individual cities in the county already maintain development corporations.
Key points from the discussion
- Authority and process: Staff read the Century Code provision that the Board of County Commissioners "by resolution may create a job development authority for the county or may discontinue" one. Commissioners noted both paths exist: the board can create or discontinue by resolution, and electors have a petition route to put removal on the ballot.
- Revenue and scale: Commissioners and staff estimated that one mill would generate roughly $38,000 to $42,000 for the county depending on whether city valuations are included; combined city and county levies cannot exceed 4 mills. Commissioners discussed using a modest mill (for example, one mill) as seed money rather than a long-term large levy.
- Governance: Commissioners said a JDA board would typically include 10 to 20 members, with two county commissioners on the board and representation from cities above certain population thresholds and local organizations. Commissioners discussed whether a JDA could be administered without a full-time staff person.
- The irrigation request and the $25,000 question: A local irrigation feasibility group requested $25,000 for project work. Commissioners split on whether to provide the money from the county general fund, noting the road department and other county needs could use the same funding. Multiple commissioners said they were sympathetic to younger residents and development projects but not comfortable diverting limited county general funds without a dedicated mechanism.
- Political risk: Several commissioners warned a new mill levy or a perceived county contribution to an outside project could generate petitions or negative reaction and likely would end up on the ballot if residents objected.
Next steps
The board did not adopt a resolution at the meeting. Commissioners agreed to gather additional information, consult the cities and stakeholders, and discuss the JDA idea further at a future meeting before deciding whether to (a) propose a mill levy, (b) create a JDA by resolution, or (c) decline to act.
