Staff writer
County commissioners sent their economic development committee back to the drawing board Monday, rejecting a list of charter principles presented by the committee as too complex for average people to understand.
Last week, three members of the committee presented a letter to commissioners outlining the county’s top 10 development challenges and its proposed charter principles.
On Monday, commissioners revisited the matter and decided to ask the committee to rewrite the charter in plain language more readily understood. A third-grade reading level was specified.
Commissioners Randy Dallke and Dan Holub both said they’d been asked by members of the public what the charter means.
County clerk Tina Spencer said she doesn’t think she’s uneducated, but she doesn’t know what the document means.
“It’s just my opinion, and I don’t know if this is what you want to put out there,” Spencer said.
Holub agreed the language was confusing.
“This would be a lawyer’s dream,” Holub said.
“I think that’s what we should ask for is just some simple words,” Dallke said.
The points commissioners want reworded are:
- Sustainable economic growth as a joint community and business priority for Marion County.
- Inclusive economic growth and development actions defined in phased format with job creation as the underlying anchor.
- Economic development plans and structure that ensures environmental responsibility and management of assets for future generations.
- Economic development plans and structure that is respectful of all social and economic groups within the County.
- Economic development plans and marketing program that delivers products and services in a consistent branded message.
- Economic development plans that utilize the Value Chain methodology to build prosperity through a defined synergy in all industries in the County.
- Economic development organization anchored in transparency, communications, and public reporting while maintaining client confidentiality until the client determines the readiness for public disclosure of their investment in the community.
- Economic development plan that promotes collaboration and partnerships for continuous improvement.
Spencer said she would contact the committee with the request.