County needs economic development to lower increased tax base
- Roger Sims, Publisher
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
By Roger Sims, publisher
Linn County Journal
The recommendation to the Linn County Commission by the county’s Economic Development Committee to shut itself down is understandable. Although the committee’s history goes back nearly four decades, it’s effectiveness over the past year or so has been hampered by lack of funding and now the lack of an economic development director.
The history of the economic development director’s post and the committee itself has been checkered in the past, however, the current membership of the committee has shown great promise from the standpoint of being involved in their communities and being involved in successful businesses themselves.
From sessions that could be characterized as self-serving meetings in a cigar-smoke-filled insurance office in the 1980s to a group of business people who seem to have the best interests of the county in mind, the committee has come a long way.
The leadership has shown that same transition over the years, from a director that seemed to attract businesses and tourist dreams that didn’t pan out to more recent directors who had great promise. But those directors, Jessica Hightower and Chasity Ware, were hampered by having additional duties piled on them plus the refusal of the commission to actually fund projects that could result in increasing the county’s tax base.
Hightower set up the framework for a program to develop more housing for moderate-income residents. She was able to get a grant for a “housing champion” to look at ways to build moderately priced homes, of which Linn County is in short supply. But the commission seemed unwilling to budget some funds that could be used to help leverage financing for young families from Linn County seeking to buy their first home.
Her proposal to just run utilities to undeveloped lots in Pleasanton’s industrial park with plans to lure companies seeking to build there went unfunded.
Because she was the spouse of Commissioner Jason Hightower, Ms. Hightower drew the ire of Commissioner Jim Johnson, who falsely claimed that her employment constituted nepotism even though he previously had voted to take that position out of the direct supervision of the commission and place it under the public works department. (A commission can have a spouse or relative work for the county as long as he or she isn’t directly supervised by the commission.)
Chasity Ware, who is now the county clerk, was hired as economic development director following Hightower’s departure. We’re confident that Ware would have done equally well as economic development director but once again commissioners piled other duties on her plate, leaving her little time to focus on economic development.
Long story short, instead of acting as part of the three-member legislative body, Hamilton took it upon herself to direct Ware. And Johnson launched a personal vendetta against a commissioner and his wife that undermined any progress on supporting county business.
One recent proposal the commission considered was to contract the job out, pay someone to draw in new businesses and pay that person a bounty for every new business it brought in. There are all kinds of ways that wouldn’t work, and we would like to think they didn’t believe that it would..
A better alternative would be to start over again – even making the position part-time – and hire a person with business knowledge who will say “no” to commissioners who approach with additional demands.
That also includes focusing on businesses that support tourism, but not tourism itself. Yes, Linn County is a great place to fish and hunt, to observe wildlife and learn about eastern Kansas history, but there is little evidence to show those activities really provide substantial returns.
A recent study for the rewriting of the county’s economic plan revealed that tourism contributed $7 million to the county’s wealth. However, most of that money came from the Casey’s in Pleasanton. What does provide tourism revenue are lodging and restaurants.
So what should an economic development director do?
Recruit businesses to locate in the county.
Retain businesses that are in the county and help them grow.
Provide support for fledgling local businesses.
Apply for grants that will provide financing for businesses to relocate or expand. That could also include working with local financial institutions to provide financing.
Work with county planners, the commission and state agencies to outline a strategy for building the county’s business community.
Why does Linn County need economic development? To build a tax base. The power plant east of La Cygne combined with railroads and pipelines still pays more than 60% of the tax money that goes into the general fund.
However, the recent push of two commissioners has been away from inviting any industry into the county. Under the banner of protecting the scenic beauty of the county, its leaders have rolled up the welcome mat for businesses that could offer young Linn County residents a solid, middle-class livelihood.
While the stance by Hamilton and Johnson may be softening some toward economic development, it appears that Jason Hightower, who has supported more vigorous development activity in the past, is pulling his support away from replacing the economic development position because his fellow commissioners aren’t seeing the light.
At least two of the three commissioners must get on board with development that augments the Linn County experience for residents and businesses.
Linn County needs businesses and industry to help build its tax base. Refusing to provide an economic development director and development funds may save taxpayer money in the short-term, but in the long run will mean county residents will be paying more taxes to keep the same services they get now.