Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government Budgeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Warren County EDC reviews FY27 budget request; county manager signals cuts amid large strategic-plan ask
Summary
The Warren County Economic Development Director reviewed FY27 budget increases and a planned website redesign; County Manager Crystal Smith said cuts will be needed and highlighted pressure on the EDC's request for strategic-plan funding. No formal votes were taken due to lack of quorum.
Warrenton — The Warren County Economic Development Commission heard a departmental FY27 budget briefing on Feb. 16 and discussed priorities including a website redesign, a proposed strategic plan and formation of an agricultural strategic-planning steering committee.
Economic Development Director McKinley Perkinson reviewed the county’s two industrial sites, described funding sources for projects on each site and walked the board through the department’s FY27 request, identifying where year-over-year increases originate. Perkinson also described a planned redesign of the EDC website to make it more attractive and accessible to prospective businesses.
County Manager Crystal Smith returned the discussion to the budget and emphasized that cuts will need to be made across multiple departments; she noted the EDC's request for funding a strategic plan is sizable and will likely face reductions. Chair Claude O'Hogan said the board would like the full requested amount but understands cuts may be required.
Perkinson said the EDC will form, in partnership with Cooperative Extension, an agricultural strategic planning steering committee to guide local agricultural priorities. The board also discussed outreach strategies to solicit statements of interest for current and upcoming vacant board positions.
Because there was no quorum, the board did not set the meeting agenda or approve previous minutes, and no formal motions or votes occurred. Next steps include staff follow-up on budget details and ongoing recruitment for board vacancies.
