By SALINA POST
The Saline County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, Nov, 5 in the Salina City County Building, 300 W. Ash Street Salina.
Board of County Commissioners present at the Nov. 5 meeting:
District Two — Robert Vidricksen II
District Three — Rodger Sparks
District Four — James Weese
District Five — Chairman Joe Hay Jr.
During the meeting the Saline County Board of Commissioners approved a formal agreement with the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, clarifying the allocation and use of county funds for economic development and community marketing initiatives.
The agreement formalizes the county’s $30,000 contribution, which has historically been directed to support the Chamber's economic development division, yet had never been bound by a written contract.
"It does not commit us to a specific dollar amount. It does not lock in $30,000 it just says, whatever the commission budgets for them [ CHAMBER] annually, this is what they will do with that money," said Saline County Administrator Smith-Hanes said.
The new agreement specifies that county funds will support a community marketing plan developed in partnership with several local organizations.
"The Chamber is the only one of those economic development organizations where we've not had a written agreement in the past," Smith-Hanes said.
This plan aims to replace the previous "Imagine Salina" campaign and focuses on promoting Saline County as an attractive place for individuals outside the area to work, shop, live, and lodge.
The Chamber is also exploring additional funding avenues for this initiative, including potential updates to its agreement with the City of Salina concerning the use of transient guest tax revenue.
The Chamber has committed to utilizing these funds specifically for community marketing and workforce development in collaboration with other economic development partners. Under the agreement, the Chamber will provide quarterly reports on marketing efforts and other initiatives to ensure transparency and accountability.
If the Chamber or the county sees a need to shift priorities in the future, either party may propose amendments to the agreement. This new contract also brings the Chamber in line with other county-supported economic development organizations, such as the Salina Community Economic Development Organization, which already operates under a formal agreement with the county.
Other Agenda Action Items:
Home Health and Hospice Month Proclamation