Council Action Requested:
Transfer of funds to create a third position in Economic Development.
Points to Consider:
The Economic Development Department currently has two positions, the Director and a Business Expansion and Retention Manager.
In the past, the department had three positions, but consolidated two of them to create a higher level position to focus on existing business expansion and retention.
With the recent hiring of the new Director and Business Expansion and Retention Manager, administrative needs have been identified to help manage the follow-up reports for the 30+ economic development agreements, grant reporting for State Department of Commerce grants, and other grants, and submittal of information for prospective requests for information. In the past three weeks alone, the Department has received requests for information for more than 15 leads or companies interested in locating in the region.
In order for the new Director to focus on establishing his vision for the department and proactively recruit new businesses, while allowing the Business Expansion and Retention Manager to focus on local, existing businesses, the County Administrator is seeking an Administrative Assistant position within the department to assist with department operating and reporting functions.
Staff is requesting redirecting existing funds within the department budget to fund the position as of January 1, 2023 at a salary of $45,000. The total amount needed to transfer this fiscal year would be $21,000.
The source of the transfer is savings in the Communications & Marketing Department due to vacancies. Two positions remain vacant in the department and at this time it is unlikely they will be filled by the end of this calendar year.
Funding and Liability Factors:
This will not increase the overall budget and therefore does not require an amendment this year. However, it will increase next year's budget approximately $71,225.
Recommendation:
Approve.