Pulaski County commission affirms redevelopment and EDC staffing arrangement

The Pulaski County Community Development Commission on Wednesday adopted Resolution 2026-DDC-O1, a formal statement recognizing that redevelopment and economic-development commissions are entitled under state law to have departmental budgets and hire staff while the county maintains staffing within the Department of Community Development for now.

The Chair said the resolution reflects state law and recent county restructuring that created an Economic Development Commission (EDC) and a redevelopment commission. "We know what the law says," the Chair said, "and we affirm that decision," adding the change does not immediately create separate director-level positions.

Commissioners discussed statutory powers and practical limits, including the workload and the county’s current ability to fund multiple director-level posts. One commissioner asked who would trigger a future review of workload and staffing; the Chair said such changes would come from a joint conversation among the revolving commission, tourism council, commissioners and council and that any split-off would be reconsidered when finances and workload justify it.

A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded; the commission voted by voice and the Chair announced the motion carried.

The resolution codifies the commission’s current approach: the redevelopment commission and EDC have the legal standing to have separate budgets and staff when warranted, but for now those functions and payroll remain in the CDC budget and oversight.