EDC needs more accountability
Supervisors this week were right to push for more accountability
from the Economic Development Corp. of San Benito County because
they allocate $50,000 annually in precious taxpayer funds to the
organization, and the two sides must work toward getting on the
same page so that expectations are clear in this stagnant economic
environment.
EDC needs more accountability
Supervisors this week were right to push for more accountability from the Economic Development Corp. of San Benito County because they allocate $50,000 annually in precious taxpayer funds to the organization, and the two sides must work toward getting on the same page so that expectations are clear in this stagnant economic environment.
Supervisors broached the EDC allocation in considering their budget expenditures for 2011-12, a fiscal year that includes 16 planned layoffs. They have asked for more quantifiable objectives and for EDC President Nancy Martin to present quarterly reports on progress from the organization, which focuses on recruiting new business to the county.
Both ideas make a lot of sense. It is a significant dollar amount, and the county’s severely lagging economy needs a major boost.
With an increasing number of layoffs and more budget cuts on the horizon, supervisors undoubtedly have been pressured from county employees and citizens over the value of the expense. They have to answer to those questions. Getting regular reports from Martin means the board can stay up to date on progress, while it also serves to directly answer questions for residents who aren’t content with the local organization, or economy’s, direction.
In Martin’s defense, she has an immensely challenging job in an immensely challenging environment. She arrived about three years ago, with higher expectations than her predecessor, and has worked hard to open doors for potential economic growth such as the federal authorization to open Hollister Municipal Airport runway access to private properties and movement on a broadband project that should enhance the marketability of local business parks.
Martin has been busy. Her problem when it comes to public perception – which is the name of the game for the elected supervisors – is that she doesn’t have a signature, major recruitment on her resume to this point. She often talks about having clients with high levels of interest, but until she can show results, Martin will continue to have critics.
Understandably, supervisors are on edge with both the budget and economy. They have started in the right direction by requesting the quarterly reports and more transparent goals, but they should take it a step further and make proactive efforts to communicate more often with Martin and other EDC board members about the organization’s progress. Supervisor Jerry Muenzer, an EDC board member himself now, should give regular reports back to colleagues about the group’s happenings.
Otherwise, the other move to allocate the funds incrementally was a weightless threat and likely won’t have any effect on the level of accountability. All it does is complicate the planning process for the organization.
