Stafford EDC asks mayor and council to reclassify economic development administrator to director

The Stafford Economic Development Corporation voted to ask the mayor and City Council to reclassify the Economic Development Administrator position to a Director of Economic Development and to fund it as a city employee, the board decided at its Jan. 28 meeting.

Board members described past experience with the administrator classification as limiting: they said previous occupants of the administrator role were constrained by reporting lines and lacked the autonomy expected for business recruitment and redevelopment work. Discussion included two alternative models: (1) reclassify to a director position reporting directly to the mayor (and working collaboratively with the board) and (2) outsource director‑level services to an outside consultant or contracted firm that would report to the SEDC president or board.

Several board members and the mayor present said they favored a director‑level, in‑house employee to ensure day‑to‑day access to staff and consistency of service to local businesses and potential recruits. Some board members urged that any director be empowered to meet with developers and brokers without step‑wise sign‑offs that previously slowed projects. One board member suggested outsourcing as a potential cost‑sharing option; others noted outsourcing can work if the city pays a market‑competitive fee and if conflicts of interest are managed.

Staff said the salary and benefits line previously budgeted for the director role was $225,000 (that figure reflects the budgeted package, not a guaranteed hiring rate). Staff added that hiring at director level would require City Council approval because the position is a city employee and classification change requires council action.

After public comment was invited and none appeared, a board member moved that the SEDC ask the mayor and City Council to consider reclassifying the Economic Development Administrator to Director of Economic Development and to make it a city employee position reporting to the mayor while working with the board. The motion was seconded and carried; the meeting record shows the motion passed with one abstention. The board directed staff to forward the request to the mayor and council for action.