The Escambia County Commission was shorthanded today for its Committee of the Whole meeting. Both Grover Robinson and Kevin White were out of town. The remaining three voted to proceed with a “Blue Ribbon” task force on economic development that will take the proposal out forth by Mort O’Sullivan and his 17-member committee and “tweak” it. The new committee will have 90 days to come back with a plan.
Grover Robinson did have the County Attorney Alison Rogers read the following statement:
With regards to Economic Development. I am supportive of an outside private/public partnerships as presented at the joint City Council meeting in March. I believe the structure that is submitted (which is separate from the Chamber) provides for private sector funding and direction. The public sector by definition would be responsible for incentives, infrastructure, and promotional, while the private section through its own funding would run the operation.
Several citizens have communicated with me the urgency to implement this proposed structure as quickly as possible. Time is critical lo jump start our ailing economy. Towards that end, I feel if acceptable to the Commissioners to move forward without a Blue Ribbon Committee Meeting on structure.
However, should the BCC feel that it is important to institute a Blue Ribbon Committee, I could support it if it is assembled and moved quickly with a final report in 90 days primarily stressing the exact details related to funding. I realize in the short term, there may be obligations that the public sector has to support the new proposal operationally.
However, I would like to see us quickly wean public support for the operations and focus entirely on incentives and infrastructure dollars. If the Board chooses to pursue a committee, I already have my appointee. Also, if the Board chooses this direction, I cannot stress how important it is for us to move quickly so that we can begin implementation and bolster the economic prosperity of our citizens.