The Rushford Village approved its final Community Economic Development Associates’ comprehensive plan at the July 15 meeting. New CEDA consultant for the village, Jayme Longmire, also outlined options for the future of contracted work with the organization. She identified options at this time. First, the contract can be stopped at any time with 30 days’ notice. Secondly, the village can choose to finish out the current contract and not to renew. Lastly, the village can renew the contract for 16 hours per month.
“I understand budgeting conversations will be happening very soon,” said Longmire. “If you want any of these things implemented right away, you can start the contract now to get it worked on by me. I’d suggest you identify the top one to three things you’d like to see move forward for your city.”
There is a fourth option, which is to rehire CEDA at a later date with a different type of contract. This would be a separate project contract to help implement one specific thing. These types of things would need negotiation at a later date if the village chooses to end the contract.
“If you decide to have me finish out the contract or renew it for next year, we will need to figure out a work plan for me,” added Longmire.
“That’s what I personally struggle with on the council,” responded Councilor Mike Ebner. “We’ve gotten some good things done, but I struggle. We don’t really have any businesses around. What do we use you for?”
Longmire suggested the council narrow down the focus to one or two things on the comp plan.
“I want to get to the point where we’re not wasting anyone’s time or money and we’re really trying to move forward with a want for the city and something that will result in increased tax base, more residents, or whatever it is and that it ends up being something beneficial,” she said. “If you choose to not move forward with something right now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You have this beautiful plan and guide and decide to move forward any time.”
“I think you’ve seen a little bit of what we’re talking about. We have a limited amount of space and what’s available,” added Ebner.
“We can bring operations to the city, but also maintain your identity,” said Longmire. “I think it’ll be a lot of case by case basis. You’ll need to work with anyone who wants to bring business to town.”
The council also discussed the search for and hiring of the next Public Works supervisor. Four candidates will be getting interviews this week. Ebner and others are working to check off a few items from the department list.
“Everything is starting to pile up and snowball. We’re getting a few things done so we don’t overwhelm them when they start,” Ebner stated.
A special meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, July 23 at 7 p.m. to consider the hiring of the new supervisor.