On first glance, the agreement between the City of Monroe and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce for economic development and marketing services seems like a good deal for both parties, and for city taxpayers.
For $12,500 annually plus expenses (which would not exceed $2,500 in a year), the city government gets a professional to promote economic development and growth in the community. The agreement, which either party can terminate with 30 days written notice, requires the Chamber's director to consult with and advise city staff, provide economic development marketing materials and services and represent the city at state and regional conferences, among other things. As long as all of the agreement's terms are being well met, the price tag for the city for the services is a relative bargain.
And, according to Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh, the new Monroe Chamber Director, Pam Christopher, has the goods. She possesses "vast knowledge and economic development experience," Marsh said. Christopher is the executive director of the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce in Gray, Ga. Bryan Rach, Monroe Chamber board president, said Christopher is working in the "exact same relationship" between Chamber and governmental body in Georgia.
So the city is able to have economic development services provided professionally for the first time since Mark Vahlsing's employment as the city's first administrator was terminated nearly four months ago, on May 13. And the Chamber is able to have some of Christopher's salary supplemented by the city.
There are some questions this agreement raises that deserve addressing and monitoring from city officials.
First, what are the city's and Chamber's expectations in instances when the economic development opportunities might create conflicts between the two parties? For instance, if a retail store is being pursued by the city, with involvement of the Chamber director, what happens when a dues-paying Chamber member business complains that the prospective retail store could present strong competition? The Chamber's purpose, after all, is to promote the interests of its member businesses and organizations. Better to address such potential conflicts now, before Christopher begins her work at the Monroe Chamber in mid-October.
Next, what does this agreement mean for the future of the city administrator position? And how much will the next city administrator be paid?
Vahlsing was paid roughly $80,000 a year. If the city is going to pay the Chamber up to $15,000 annually for economic development services, will the total payout from the city still be $80,000 or less? Or will it be $95,000? City leaders must avoid spending more taxpayer dollars for these services.
Assuming a new city administrator ever is hired by the city - aldermen now are planning to wait until next year to do so - what will that person's job description be? The consensus was that Vahlsing's strongest suit in Monroe was economic development. Ironic, then, that economic development is the first responsibility removed from the job description - whether temporarily or permanently.
We hope this isn't part of an effort by the mayor and council to diminish the importance or influence of an administrator in city government so soon (less than three years) after aldermen voted to give professional management of city government a try. The council was right to believe in late 2005 that Monroe would be better served by a trained administrator running government. The election of a strong-willed mayor or the failures of one administrator (and council, as well, in a lack of oversight) should not change that opinion.
For $12,500 annually plus expenses (which would not exceed $2,500 in a year), the city government gets a professional to promote economic development and growth in the community. The agreement, which either party can terminate with 30 days written notice, requires the Chamber's director to consult with and advise city staff, provide economic development marketing materials and services and represent the city at state and regional conferences, among other things. As long as all of the agreement's terms are being well met, the price tag for the city for the services is a relative bargain.
And, according to Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh, the new Monroe Chamber Director, Pam Christopher, has the goods. She possesses "vast knowledge and economic development experience," Marsh said. Christopher is the executive director of the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce in Gray, Ga. Bryan Rach, Monroe Chamber board president, said Christopher is working in the "exact same relationship" between Chamber and governmental body in Georgia.
So the city is able to have economic development services provided professionally for the first time since Mark Vahlsing's employment as the city's first administrator was terminated nearly four months ago, on May 13. And the Chamber is able to have some of Christopher's salary supplemented by the city.
There are some questions this agreement raises that deserve addressing and monitoring from city officials.
First, what are the city's and Chamber's expectations in instances when the economic development opportunities might create conflicts between the two parties? For instance, if a retail store is being pursued by the city, with involvement of the Chamber director, what happens when a dues-paying Chamber member business complains that the prospective retail store could present strong competition? The Chamber's purpose, after all, is to promote the interests of its member businesses and organizations. Better to address such potential conflicts now, before Christopher begins her work at the Monroe Chamber in mid-October.
Next, what does this agreement mean for the future of the city administrator position? And how much will the next city administrator be paid?
Vahlsing was paid roughly $80,000 a year. If the city is going to pay the Chamber up to $15,000 annually for economic development services, will the total payout from the city still be $80,000 or less? Or will it be $95,000? City leaders must avoid spending more taxpayer dollars for these services.
Assuming a new city administrator ever is hired by the city - aldermen now are planning to wait until next year to do so - what will that person's job description be? The consensus was that Vahlsing's strongest suit in Monroe was economic development. Ironic, then, that economic development is the first responsibility removed from the job description - whether temporarily or permanently.
We hope this isn't part of an effort by the mayor and council to diminish the importance or influence of an administrator in city government so soon (less than three years) after aldermen voted to give professional management of city government a try. The council was right to believe in late 2005 that Monroe would be better served by a trained administrator running government. The election of a strong-willed mayor or the failures of one administrator (and council, as well, in a lack of oversight) should not change that opinion.
