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Motion to renew Shawnee Ford economic development contract fails after debate over new duties
Summary
Commission considered renewing a tri‑party economic development contract with Shawnee Ford and Pottawatomie County; staff highlighted added responsibilities and automatic board seats for elected officials. Commissioners voted; the renewal motion did not carry as presented.
City Attorney Joe Vondren outlined three changes to the proposed tri‑party renewal of a contract with Shawnee Ford Inc. and Pottawatomie County: two new responsibilities (sections 2(g) and 2(h) requiring additional activities related to real‑estate promotion and financial participation in city/county initiatives) and an automatic board seat provision in section 3 for the county board chairman and the city mayor.
Vondren said the language is broad and remains subject to board discretion. "If they're going to be an economic development arm, that they participate monetarily and with ours in supporting those initiatives that will drive economic development in this community," he said.
Commissioners discussed potential conflicts of interest, the role of the Chamber versus an economic development entity, and whether the county intended to participate. After debate, a motion to approve the tri‑party contract was put to a vote; the chair announced the motion failed (recorded discussion cited a 3–2 vote with an abstention reported during floor debate). No final direction to staff to rework the language was recorded in the public discussion.
The commission moved on to subsequent agenda items.
