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Community Development director proposes upgraded economic development position funded from tourism fund, cites GIS and zoning costs
Summary
Meggan Eldredge proposed upgrading the vacant Economic Development Program Manager role, sharing that resource with Administration and Business Relations and funding it from the Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund; she also noted an 80% professional/technical budget increase to purchase NearMap GIS, plus supplies and training for distributing a new zoning bylaw.
Meggan Eldredge, the Town of Yarmouth’s Community Development Director, told the Finance Committee on Jan. 14 that she presented a reorganization plan to the Select Board that would upgrade the currently budgeted Economic Development Program Manager position and share that resource across Administration and Business Relations to reduce pressure on the General Fund.
Eldredge said the position could be paid in part from the Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund (TRPF). "I provided the Select Board with my thoughts on the reorganization of the Economic Development side of my department," she said, describing the shared-service approach and the intent to use TRPF to make the position "less of a draw on the General Fund."
Eldredge also pointed to a large increase in the department's professional and technical line—an 80% rise—explaining the request is to fund a GIS software package, NearMap, to support planning work and to cover supplies for distributing a new zoning bylaw and training for Conservation Commission members. She listed departmental FTEs and noted the Economic Development Program Manager position remains vacant.
Committee members asked about promoting sale of blighted town-owned properties. Robert Harding suggested creating a Community Development Corporation to encourage sales; Simon framed the idea as establishing a fund to acquire blighted properties and Eldredge said that would fall within the economic development manager’s responsibilities if the position is filled.
The committee did not take a vote on the proposal at this meeting; Eldredge’s request was recorded as part of the FY27 Community Development budget review.
