Minutes - Dec. 3, 2012 Regular Meeting

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BK - 00025 PG County needs a much more diverse and better balanced group of technical experts to advise the Commissioners and staff on a wide range of environmental - technical matters. Lee County residents with the following technical skills are needed: Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Soil Science /Soil Testing, Environmental Health/Toxicology, Regulatory Planning Enforcement (DENR or EPA - related experience), Environmental Law, Hydrology/Water Testing, Meteorology /Air Testing and Geology. Commissioner Reives stated there should still be available slots on the Board for "ordinary" people that were interested but did not have the above requirements. Commissioner Dalrymple stated she would like to see individuals from agriculture, forestry, livestock and a physician on the Board. Much discussion followed but no action was taken. Commissioner Womack asked this item be placed on the January 7th agenda for further discussion and action. The Board discussed Economic Development Corporation Transformation. Commissioner Womack requested the Board consider transforming the Lee County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC) into a public - private partnership with proportional board representation based on financial commitment. This would realign the focus of the organization towards balanced expansion of the economic base and employment opportunities across the spectrum of retail, services, and industrial production. It would also reduce the dependence on economic incentives for attracting and retaining companies. Mr. Womack further stated since 1996, the LCEDC has generally focused on expanding the economic base of Lee County with a focus on recruiting industrial manufacturing companies. Beginning with changes to the LCEDC Charter and By -Laws during the last seven years, the County Board of Commissioners has had fewer appointees and influence (proportional to its investment) than the rest of the LCEDC partners. These votes have been further diluted by voting Ex Officio members. Despite attempts by the Commissioners to balance the EDC's work effort towards small business growth with greater diversity in the workforce, the organization has sustained its efforts to recruit industrial manufacturers with relatively low wage rates, using incentives as a recruiting tool. This has yielded higher unemployment rates in Lee County and a much lower per capita income over the past five years. It was further stated that if Lee County is to sustain its LCEDC, the County needs to achieve representation proportional to is commitment of taxpayer funds; the LCEDC needs to better balance its work efforts towards small business interests; the LCEDC should only use incentives as a tool of last resort; and the Executive Director of the LCEDC needs to provide by- monthly updates to the Commissioners to keep the Board focused on the local situation with employment, economic growth, and overall prosperity. Discussion followed but no action was taken. The Board discussed Economic Incentive Thresholds for Economic Development. Commissioner Womack asked the Board to consider changes to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). He stated that changes to the EDC Contract in 2010 removed all references to economic incentive standards or thresholds. Subsequently, the Board of Commissioners has received multiple incentive requests that fail to adequately invest in the local economy or that fail to provide suitable wages or numbers of positions for employment. He further stated it is incumbent on the Board of Commissioners to be fiscally responsible and equitable in its treatment of prospective new and expanding businesses. The standards for being eligible for economic incentives should be cited and easily identifiable on the internet. Moreover, these incentive thresholds should to be set high so incentives are not exploited or abused as a tool for economic growth in Lee County. Standard thresholds should be established for the minimum amount of Capital Investment (real and personal property); for minimum numbers of new full -time jobs created (with benefits); for average wages paid to those workers on site in Lee County; and for the number of years of required continuous local operations for the company. The County should differentiate existing businesses from new businesses and make the thresholds for expanding already existing businesses lower than that of prospective new businesses. Commissioner Womack stated Commissioners' should identify what other counties are doing in establishing thresholds for economic development incentives and be prepared to offer 7