Title
Discussion and Possible Action on Council Engagement with Small Business Community
Recommended Action
I move that Council take the following steps to engage with the small business community: _____________________
Body
In the recently approved 2025 Strategic Leadership Plan, the strategic goal for Economic Vitality includes an objective that focuses on Local Business. This objective states, "Encourage the retention of existing businesses, facilitate the startup of new businesses, and assist in the opportunities for business growth." Also, the results of the National Community Survey (NCS) that was administered by Polco in 2024 indicated that several ratings related to the local economy and businesses remained lower that the national benchmark, including:
-Overall quality of business and service establishments
-The variety of business and service establishments
-The vibrancy of downtown/commercial area
-Shopping opportunities
To address the strategic goal and begin to address the results of the NCS, Council would like to discuss how to improve their engagement with the local business community. There are many options that may be considered.
A Council Working Group could be established. Per the Council Procedural Rules, “Council working groups may only engage in fact finding; only make non-binding recommendations to the Council; and may represent the County in outside matters to ensure that the adopted policies of the Council are voiced and/or executed.” The Council Chair may create a Working Group “by requesting that no more than three (3) Councilors, and as appropriate, community members and other advisors or experts, participate when advice on a subject or range of subjects is needed...”
A task force dedicated to this topic could also be created. In this case, Council and staff would need to create a charter that defines the work of the task force, number of members, term, and timeframe for any desired interim or final reports. Once Council has approved the charter, then letters of interest would be solicited, and Council would select members of the task force and appoint them at a Council meeting.
Another option would be for the Chair to appoint no more than three (3) Councilors to established group or organization working in this area. In this case, the Councilors assigned would report back to Council on the group’s efforts and activities.
Council's recommended action would give the Council leadership and the County Manager direction on how to proceed in this area.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
The fiscal and staff impact of any action taken by Council would need to be evaluated, based on the option selected by Council.