PORT ANGELES — Clallam County has authorized a $150,000 appropriation for economic development without specifying how it will be spent.
The money will likely be used for Clallam County Economic Development Council personnel.
Commissioners approved the funding by 3-0 vote Tuesday and will make the final call on how the appropriation is spent in a yet-to-be-scheduled hearing.
In January, board Chairman Jim McEntire opened a public debate on how to help the EDC — a private nonprofit organization — do a better job recruiting businesses and keeping jobs in Clallam County.
McEntire had first pitched a $500,000 draw from the county’s Opportunity Fund to pay for EDC staff through 2017.
The amount was pared down to $150,000 after a complaint was filed against a now-rescinded county ordinance that allowed the appropriation from sales-tax supported Opportunity Fund and dissolved its advisory board.
The $150,000 that commissioners made available for economic development Tuesday will come from the county’s general fund for day-to-day operations.
Four people spoke against or at least questioned the $150,000 appropriation for the potential spending on economic development in a public hearing on a package of debatable budget emergencies.
“So this money may end up in the EDC, but that all depends on a number of other yet-to-be identified and discussed issues?” Francisco de La Cruz asked McEntire.
“Yeah,” McEntire replied. “Today’s action is just to consider whether or not to appropriate this money.”
A EDC contract is awaiting approval from the recently re-organized EDC board.
Officials with the county, Port of Port Angeles and the cities of Port Angeles, Sequim and Forks met recently to develop a common set of deliverables for the remainder of this year, County Administrator Jim Jones said.
“But none of this comes with any guarantee that funding will occur,” Jones said.
The Board of County Commissioners will consider approving an EDC contract and deliverables in a future public hearing, McEntire said.
Multiple speakers complained that draft documents from the EDC have not been released to the public.
“Essentially my concern is that we’re committing, or preparing to commit, county funds, public funds, to the ‘It’s going to be great when you get it, we’ll know what it is when we get it,’” said Bill Brigden of Sequim.
“Not good enough to me. I want to see it before it’s committed.”
Linda Benson provided a statement from the Clallam County League of Women Voters that questioned the process by which the county uses to allocate taxpayer funds.
“We believe agencies in the community who request public funds require an open and defined process,” Benson said.
“This is in the spirit of the Open Public Meetings Act. Open government empowers people,” she said.
“It provides government accountability, which stimulates trust and it creates an informed and strong democracy in which we know how to participate.”
The League asked commissioners to state in writing the process and requirements for agencies seeking taxpayer funds so requests are held to the same standards, and applauded “detailed presentations” from Serenity House and area food banks on Monday.
“We are concerned that the proposed funding of the EDC is being offered before we have seen such a detailed proposal and, indeed, any presentation from the EDC,” Benson said.
Commissioner Mike Chapman had previously opposed the payment for EDC personnel.
He agreed to join Commissioners McEntire and Bill Peach in supporting the $150,000 appropriation to spur a larger discussion about future investments in economic development.
Chapman added that the EDC’s draft contract assuaged some of his doubt.
“Is there more?” Chapman asked.
“Are we willing to actually look at something more meaningful? You guys can’t be convinced that hiring three people at the EDC is going to meaningfully move our economy. It’s a step. It may be a small step, but you know that’s not the answer.”
Commissioners asked Jones to develop a set of recommendations for helping the broader economy, which may include a sales tax holiday for struggling families.
“I am absolutely committed to that more global view of what we can do here in the short run,” McEntire said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.