Sunman board moves forward with redevelopment commission ordinance

The Sunman town board reviewed a draft ordinance to establish a redevelopment commission intended to plan, acquire and redevelop properties identified for economic development. The draft outlines a six-member commission (three appointed by the municipal executive/town president, two appointed by the town board and a nonvoting school representative); members would be bonded, serve one-year terms with reimbursement only for out-of-pocket expenses, and meet quarterly.

Board discussion focused on how the commission would be funded—options discussed included a new budget line, allocation of tax increment or partnership with nonprofits and grants—and how the timeline would fit the town's budget process. Staff and one council member noted the advantage of having the ordinance in place before budget decisions so startup funding could be considered.

A motion was made to start the formal reading process on the ordinance; speakers emphasized there was no guarantee of final adoption at the next meeting but that beginning the reading and compiling a list of potential appointees were practical next steps. "We wanna move forward with it and pick up the ordinance and then bring it to the next meeting for first reading," the chair said during the discussion.

The board asked staff to circulate the most recent draft to council members and to schedule the ordinance for first reading in the next meeting cycle.