Supervisors Field Request To Boost EDD Budget

Supervisors Field Request To Boost EDD Budget

By David Howell

Editor

COFFEEVILLE – Supervisors fielded a request from the Yalobusha County Economic Development and Tourism District (EDD) to fund an additional $3,000 during the current fiscal year to provide administrative and clerical support for Bob Tyler. Tyler has served as the district’s director since its inception in 2007.

Earl Gibson, chairman of the Yalobusha County Economic Development and Tourism District, made the request, citing past precedent is to approach supervisors on an as-needed basis for funding and budgetary needs. 

“The request would be to acquire an additional $3,000 in funding for the remainder of the fiscal year. That will give the board and Tyler time to evaluate the need and make a decision for future fiscal year,” Gibson explained.

In a January board meeting, District 3 supervisor Lee McMinn first mentioned getting Tyler some help.

“Bob and I have talked previously about getting him some help. We really appreciate what he does. I think that he can certainly be more effective if he has some help in this capacity and he agrees,” McMinn reiterated during the March 7 meeting at the Coffeeville Courthouse.

Although the actual transfer of money to boost the district’s budget was postponed, Gibson received a verbal commitment for the extra funds after fielding questions about the annual $44,000 budget allotted to the district.

“We probably have about $4,000… for the remainder of the year,” Gibson explained about the money not used for Tyler’s salary. Gibson added that the remaining money is earmarked for anticipated travel and website updates that will occur through September 30. 

  “My opinion is that this is something that we need to do. Where the money comes from, we will have to figure that out. But it will maximize what we have in Bob to utilize his contacts and experience,” McMinn said. 

“I would certainly like to see every departments’ plans to expend their resources,” Board President Cayce Washington added. “I am really adamant about not amending the budget any more than we have to for this fiscal year,” Washington continued, adding that the current board is working with a budget set by a prior board with the exception of Supervisor McMinn.

“I want him to have some help tomorrow and we will work out the money. I am a big supporter of what Bob and this organization does,” McMinn continued.

“I am in favor of it and if you needed the money (today) we would do it. But I would like to see some updated finances,” Washing-ton said, agreeing with McMinn on the funding request.

Tyler explained the position will be a contract employee and not directly employed by the county.

In January Gibson, George Booker, Eddie Ray, Margaret Ross, Mack Dudley, Mary Lucia Holloway and Bill Taylor were reappointed to the economic district’s nine-person board. Delice Reese and Flavia Waddell were also appointed as two new members on the board. Five of the members are appointed from each supervisory district. Three of the board members are selected by supervisors with input from each of the three municipalities in the county, while the final member is appointed at-large.

Discussion on website

Following the budget request, McMinn shifted the conversation to the organization’s website.

Gibson explained that board member Bill Taylor will provide an update in April about possible options for the website.

“We are going to make a decision whether to stay where we are or move to a private contractor,” Gibson said.

“I am for hiring somebody that knows what to do and get it done. We have been rolling on here for four years and not had an up-to-date, viable website. There is something there, but it isn’t all it could be. Whatever we have to do to make that happen,” McMinn said.