WILLMAR -- The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission has adopted a final budget that calls for spending down all the agency's reserve funds next year, but allows it to continue aggressive efforts at promoting economic development.
Members of the EDC joint powers board approved the budget at a special meeting Thursday.
Their action puts the final stamp of approval on a budget that has been debated, tweaked and revised since August.
At issue was how to fund the EDC's rapidly growing activities without dipping too deeply into the taxpayers' pockets.
Officials believe they've found a compromise. While most of the agency's budget comes from the property tax levy, the EDC also will use unspent money from 2004 and 2005 to help fund its program of action.
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The agency proposes to spend $534,598 next year. Property taxes will account for $455,000 of this; reserve funds plus a $27,000 allocation from the city of Willmar to support the Willmar Design Center will make up the rest.
The plan was previously approved by the EDC's joint operating board.
It's a strategy that will leave the EDC with little left over, said Steve Renquist, executive director of the agency.
But if the organization accomplishes big results next year and has to seek additional money from the city and county, "that'll actually be a good problem to have because that'll mean good things are happening," Renquist said.
"We feel it's an ambitious load, but fortunately we've got good people. It's going to be a very full year," he said. "They all are up to the challenge."
The city-county Economic Development Commission has grown significantly since 2003, when it was established. Committee expenses, where the bulk of program activities take place, are expected to nearly double next year, from $105,000 to more than $185,000.
As they've wrestled with the budget, governing board members have debated whether the EDC needs to narrow its focus.
But a planning session and review of EDC activities last week left the joint powers board convinced that it shouldn't scale back.
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"I was impressed. I don't think we should back down," said Ron Christianson.
EDC committees, consisting almost entirely of volunteers, are working on projects ranging from renewable energy development to the promotion of tourism in Kandiyohi County.
There's a committee that's working on business expansion, retention and recruitment. Another group is developing new marketing materials.
The coming year also will be a critical time for a proposed multicultural marketplace in Willmar which, if it's successful, will be the first of its kind in a rural community anywhere in the United States.
Joint powers board member Dean Shuck said the EDC "is getting a lot for the money.
"To hold the money away from the committees would be a mistake, I think," he said.
Renquist said the EDC's budget and plan of action for next year will leave little room for taking on anything additional.
"We're probably going to have to really be convinced of the need before we look at any new projects," he said.
