The Norton City/County Economic Development board met at 5:45 on June 5, 2018. The meeting was called to order by Jerry Jones, Chairman. Members present included Tom Brannan, Wally Burton, Curtis Eveleigh, John Griffiths, Aaron Hale, Gayle James, Brad Hopkins and Dick Thompson. Absent were Mark Dewees and Amber Nuttycomb. Also present were Mike Posson, Executive Director and Verla Grysch, Administrative Coordinator. Carolyn Applegate and John Miller were also present as visitors.
Curtis Eveleigh moved and Wally Burton seconded a motion to approve the May meeting minutes. Motion carried 9-0.
John Pinegar and Doug Smith, consultants with Pinegar, Smith and Associates were in attendance to give an update from the last legislative session. The larger issues addressed were the State budget and school finance. While funds were allocated for school financing, the Supreme Court is still reviewing data and their decision may change that funding. The legislature had hoped to resolve the tax policy issue but due to conflicts between the House and Senate it will be carried over to the next session. The Kansas Department of Commerce spent most of the year looking at economic development efforts in the state. Pinegar and Smith also reiterated to the board the success of the Norton County Legislative Day held in Topeka in March. No other county does this type of event so Norton’s event makes a positive impression on the legislators and department heads.
Following the presentation, the board discussed the following items: 2019 NCCED proposed budget, a housing study, an event pavilion, incentives from NCCED to assist in the filling of critical jobs and the use of a summer High School intern for special project work.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 with a motion from Tom Brannan and a second from Aaron Hale.
Verla Grysch, Administrative Coordinator
Norton City/County Economic Development
205 S State Street
Norton, KS 67654
(785) 874-4816
nortoned@nortoncountyks.gov
