County restores some funds for economic development group cut in budget

One target of the 2016 Sedgwick County budget cuts got partial funding restored.

County commissioners voted 4-1 Wednesday to give $60,000 to the South Central Kansas Economic Development District, a regional economic development group that issues micro-loans to small businesses.

A vote to fully fund the group for its 2016 membership dues, about $85,000, fell short 3-2.

Chairman Richard Ranzau voted against two separate efforts to fund all or most of the group’s original membership dues.

Commissioner Jim Howell praised the group’s work in the region but said the county should still look for ways to prioritize.

“They have done some very necessary and effective things trying to move businesses to success,” Howell said. “But in light of the fact that we did have a lot of budget cuts to various agencies and things that are dependent on Sedgwick County for support, I think it’s right that we go back to the mindset of our budget adoption process.”

Commissioner Tim Norton criticized the 2016 budget for cutting support for economic development groups, such as the Regional Economic Area Partnership.

“We should have never de-funded SCKEDD; in fact, I think there’s others that are of regional significance that we should have never gotten out of,” Norton said.

Sherdeill Breathett, a county economic development staff member who works with the group, said Sedgwick County not paying its full share could encourage other counties to contribute less, putting the group’s budget in jeopardy.

But Commissioner Dave Unruh, along with Norton, voted for the $60,000 contribution, saying some restored funding was better than none.

“I’m fearful that not supporting it could be worse,” Unruh told group representatives.

Other business Wednesday

▪ Commissioners voted 4-1 to join the Kansas Natural Resource Coalition, with Norton voting against membership. The group, made up of primarily western Kansas counties, largely opposes federal and state environmental regulations regarding endangered and threatened species.

▪ Commissioners approved a $916,079 grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department for a program that helps the chronically homeless with housing vouchers.

▪ After an hour of presentations and debate, the commission sent the Community Investments Plan, which maps out urban growth 20 years into the future, back to the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.

▪ Incoming county Manager Michael Scholes attended his first commission meeting with his wife, Jessica. Scholes’ first day at the county is Monday.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 7:42 PM with the headline "County restores some funds for economic development group cut in budget."