EDC budget approved after debate over prospect incentives, van use and car allowance

James Gentry, representing the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), presented the EDC’s actuals and proposed FY2022–23 budget and explained several prospective incentives and capital items.

Gentry said the EDC removed a previously reported draw note from the presented statement and that the budget was largely flat aside from modest cost‑of‑living increases. He listed items that could be funded as incentives or capital: $15,000 toward repairs on the Civic Center roof, a prospect incentive proposal of $25,000 and discussion of extending an industrial gas line (which staff said needed a larger, industrial‑size line). "Our target is for an average monthly... sales tax of $55,416 to contribute to the budget that we have for 22‑23," Gentry said.

Council members pressed for clarification about how certain items would be budgeted and whether capital expenses were properly categorized as "prospect incentives." Members asked about the EDC van's purpose and who is authorized to use it, and questioned whether the $7,200 car allowance is processed through payroll and whether it is actually being used. Gentry said he has used little of the allowance in his tenure and that the van and a credit card have been used for showing prospects around town.

After debate, a council member moved to approve the EDC budget as presented while allowing capital expenditures and prospect incentive items to be returned to council for separate approval when specific bids or invoices are ready. The motion passed; the transcript records the vote as "3 to 1."