Economic Development Cost

A comment came to my attention today regarding the issue of why the city is considering paying for an economic development director or economic development firm. I certainly understand the concern about paying for economic development help within the city with such a large diverse workforce. Some individuals within the city may be capable of taking on some of the responsibility for economic development to offset hiring an individual or firm. My concern with utilizing current city employees is that we need to have one key individual such as an economic development director that would take on this responsibility and coordinate the efforts. The sole mission of the economic development director would be to promote and retain business within the City. I would expect an economic development director to specialize in this area and call upon others within the city to assist. The city needs a focused, trained professional to take charge of selling the city.
Ravenna is at the point that if we do not take some action quickly we will continue to slip back to the point of staggering tax losses. In turn this will continue to erode at city services and the ability of the city to capture any new business.

The city is in need of major changes to the overall operating structure. We are currently overburdened in areas with overstaffing and inefficient departmental structures. We need to reevaluate what services we offer to our residents and the overall direction and long term plan of what we want Ravenna to be. Economic development and how that is structured is only one small aspect of how Ravenna needs to change.

2010 Budget issues Imminent

As council moves into the budget process for the 2010 fiscal year we are starting to see signs of significant budget issues in 2010 and beyond. City Council, the Mayor and Finance Directors started meeting to determine the best course of action for the 2010 budget. The City has had significant interest income losses as well as a down turn in City income tax. This loss of revenue with the ongoing increases in materials, labor and health care are creating a potentially dangerous situation.

Within the next few weeks I will post some of the budget numbers and keep this sit up to date on the meetings and discussions related to the 2010 budget.