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Council considers study to guide rehiring economic‑development director
Summary
Council members debated rehiring an economic development director versus commissioning a paid study; staff recommended first updating a decade-old UTSA report or hiring a study firm (estimated $30k–$125k) to produce data and a multi‑year strategy before hiring a director.
Council members discussed restoring an economic‑development capacity to boost sales tax and attract businesses, and whether to hire a director immediately or first commission an outside study. A council member noted the prior economic‑development director resigned in 2025 and the city previously had a position; speaker S5 asked whether the city had budgeted for the department or just the position. Arlando said the position was budgeted but not filled and recommended obtaining data first so any future director would work from an approved strategy.
Arlando suggested two options: pursue a free update of a decade‑old University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) report and request grant funding to support an update, or hire a private company (estimates between $30,000 and $125,000 were discussed) that would produce a full SWOT analysis, strategy, and stakeholder engagement. Council members generally supported starting with the existing UTSA work as a cost‑effective first step; Chair (S2) said he would bring the prior report to the next meeting for council review.
