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County needs a much more diverse and better balanced group of technical experts to advise the <br />Commissioners and staff on a wide range of environmental - technical matters. Lee County residents <br />with the following technical skills are needed: Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Soil Science /Soil <br />Testing, Environmental Health/Toxicology, Regulatory Planning Enforcement (DENR or EPA - related <br />experience), Environmental Law, Hydrology/Water Testing, Meteorology /Air Testing and Geology. <br />Commissioner Reives stated there should still be available slots on the Board for "ordinary" people that <br />were interested but did not have the above requirements. Commissioner Dalrymple stated she would <br />like to see individuals from agriculture, forestry, livestock and a physician on Board. Much <br />discussion followed but no action was taken. Commissioner Womack asked this ' be placed on the <br />January 7 agenda for further discussion and action. <br />The Board discussed Economic Development Corporation Trans matior Commissioner <br />Womack requested the Board consider transforming the Lee County "Econom evelopment <br />Corporation (LCEDC) into a public - private partnership with proportio al board representa ased on <br />financial commitment. This would realign the focus of the organi „towards balanced pansion of <br />the economic base and employment opportunities across the s trum of retail, services, and industrial <br />production. It would also reduce the dependence on econo incen' es for attracting and retaining <br />companies. Mr. Womack further stated since 1996, the L a r4erally focused on expanding <br />the economic base of Lee County with a focus on recruiting strial manufacturing companies. <br />Beginning with changes to the LCEDC Charter and By -Laws duri last seven years, the County <br />Board of Commissioners has had fewer appointees and influence (p ' nal to its investment) than <br />the rest of the LCEDC partners. These votes have been further diluted y voting Ex Officio members. <br />Despite attempts by the Commissioners to ce the EDC's work effort towards small business <br />growth with greater diversity in the workforc Z nization has sustained its efforts to recruit <br />industrial manufacturers with relative) <br />y low wa grate ' ntives as a recruiting tool. This has <br />yielded higher unemployment rates in Lee Coun a 11 a m lower per capita income over the past <br />five years. It was further stated that if Lee County o susta n its LCEDC, the County needs to achieve <br />representation proportional to is commitment of tax' yer funds; the LCEDC needs to better balance its <br />work efforts towards small bus' ss interests; the L' C should only use incentives as a tool of last <br />resort; and the Executive of the LCEeeds to provide by- monthly updates to the <br />Commissioners to keep Boar ocused on the local situation with employment, economic growth, <br />and overall prosperity./ „ssio " ��owed bit no action was taken. <br />The Board discuss Economic Incentive Thresholds for Economic Development. <br />Commissioner Womack aske card to consider changes to the Economic Development <br />Corporation He stated th hanges to the EDC Contract in 2010 removed all references to <br />economi ' ndards or thresholds. Subsequently, the Board of Commissioners has received <br />multipl ncentive r sts that fail to adequately invest in the local economy or that fail to provide <br />suit ages or nu rs of positions for employment. He further stated it is incumbent on the Board <br />of o ioners to fiscally responsible and equitable in its treatment of prospective new and <br />expandin inesse The standards for being eligible for economic incentives should be cited and <br />easily iden the internet. Moreover, these incentive thresholds should to be set high so <br />incentives are exploited or abused as a tool for economic growth in Lee County. Standard <br />thresholds sho d be established for the minimum amount of Capital Investment (real and personal <br />property); for minimum numbers of new full -time jobs created (with benefits); for average wages paid to <br />those workers on site in Lee County; and for the number of years of required continuous local <br />operations for the company. The County should differentiate existing businesses from new businesses <br />and make the thresholds for expanding already existing businesses lower than that of prospective new <br />businesses. Commissioner Womack stated Commissioners' should identify what other counties are <br />doing in establishing thresholds for economic development incentives and be prepared to offer <br />7 <br />