Economic development committee favors outreach to county about creating standing county representative seat

The Beaumont Economic Development Committee discussed a staff recommendation to change the committee seat titled “local developer / economic development developer” into a standing seat for the Riverside County Office of Economic Development.

Nicole, presenting the staff report, said the proposed title change would “allow for a representative from the county’s Office of Economic Development to have an established seat on the committee so that the input and the knowledge of the county resources could continue to be a valued contribution to the committee.” Members repeatedly said staff should contact the county to confirm its willingness to commit a designated representative before the committee permanently changes the seat title.

Several members noted the practical benefits of a designated county representative over an intermittently filled local developer seat and urged staff to seek the county’s buy‑in. One committee member suggested making the seat a standing position contingent on county agreement so the committee would not need to reappoint someone every two years if the county agreed to fill the slot as part of county duties.

Nicole said staff will reach out to the county and return with the county’s response; if the county agrees, the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Beaumont City Council for final approval. No formal motion to change the title was made at this meeting; committee members characterized the discussion as a request for staff to pursue the county conversation and report back.

Next steps: staff will contact the Riverside County Office of Economic Development, report findings to the committee at a future meeting, and—only if the county agrees—forward a recommendation to the city council for action.