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Monroe council redesignates economic development steering group, approves new business development position
Summary
Council voted to rescind a proposed "mayoral committee" designation, instead creating a staff committee for economic development steering and approved creating a full‑time business development position funded by reallocating existing contract funds.
At the Jan. 14 strategic meeting, the Monroe City Council amended earlier direction on the formation of an economic‑development steering group and approved creating a full‑time business development position funded by reallocated contract funds.
Terry Schoeller urged the council to rescind the "mayoral committee" label for the steering group and instead designate it a staff committee to avoid public‑meeting notice requirements. "If it's a mayoral committee, it requires public notices, open meetings, just like any other committee meeting," Schoeller said, recommending the committee be designated as a staff‑functioning steering committee with the same makeup and purpose.
Council members approved an amendment to remove the mayoral designation and establish the group as a staff committee with up to three council members as participants. Following that, staff proposed creating a full‑time business development position and reallocating funds previously committed to an outside contract.
Lisa Strickland said the budget authorization would reallocate funds from the city's existing contract with Union County and from funds previously allocated to MUSID to pay for the new position, consultant activities and start‑up expenses for Monroe Economic Development. "We'd like authorization to add the position to the budget and we're going to come up with the job description and the job title with the committee at some of our subsequent meetings," Strickland said.
Council approved a motion to create the full‑time business development position and to reallocate funds to fund the position, consultant assistance and start‑up expenses. Staff said the job title and detailed description will be developed with the steering committee.
The committee redesignation changes the meeting and notice requirements for the steering process, while the position approval shifts existing contracted resources into an in‑house role intended to support local business retention and outreach.
