TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: EDC of Sarasota County
Recommended Action
Discussion and provide direction regarding the existing Interlocal Agreement for membership in the EDC of Sarasota County
Background Information
At the July, 2018 Budget Workshop, the City Commission provided consensus to remove funding from the budget for the membership in the Interlocal Agreement regarding the EDC of Sarasota County. At the Board meeting for the EDC of Sarasota County held on August 16, 2018, there was much discussion regarding the possibility of the City of North Port terminating the agreement. The following are the notes from that meeting taken by Commissioner McDowell:
Feedback from other board members about North Port withdrawing from the EDC include:
* What could the EDC do better to communicate with North Port and visa versa
* This discussion and action is diverting attention from the EDC's goals and mission
* Fairness to other government entities if North Port withdraws and the EDC still promotes NP without any contributions paid to the EDC
* North Port is a consumer of the EDC. As a consumer if they don't believe they are getting anything of value, it is understandable why they want to withdraw.
* There is strength in numbers to promote the county. Presenting as a unified front.
* The value is spread countywide
* The "optics" of North Port withdrawing is affecting other entities (ie MPO, Chambers etc) and leaves them wondering why and if they're next
* Having a voice is an investment
* Sarasota County was surprised by this move
* It was suggested that North Port continue as a member and the EDC is "on notice" for one year to show specific ROI (direct and indirect). Spend this next year making everyone stronger.
At this point I was invited to speak and explain why North Port was withdrawing. My talking points included:
** a brief description how the entire conversatio...
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