December 1 – White Pine Economic Diversification Council
Public Comment-
Jim Garza would like to start a nonprofit group. Robo farms featuring hydroponics.
Wayne Cameron opened the meeting : Discussion regarding the White Pine County proposal to White Pine County Board of Commissioners Recommending Closure of the EDC.
A statement was read by Donn Pucket
“It should be noted that this agenda item is shown for action and possible approval of recommendations from the financials strategic planning committee. Unless the public takes the initiative to review the back up documents in the public packet they are unaware that the actual action items pertain to the fire department and economic development department.
It is unfortunate that when director submitted his 30 day letter of resignation and he did not inform his staff of his pending departure. Nor did he feel it was necessary to include his staff in what he presented to the financial strategic planning committee for the future of the community and economic development office. If we had been involved in his exit strategy we would have been able to provide additional information that may have been helpful to the committee.”
Preliminary Recommendations from the Financial Strategic Planning Committee:
The duties this office has taken on, will be returned to the offices of the Treasurer and the County Clerk.
The County can save $200,000. to $220,000. by eliminating this office. This office could be closed with a 15 day, by notice from the White Pine County Commissioners.
Wayne Cameron “The biggest loss to the county, will be no recruitment of new businesses to the community?” “The County receives $45,000 from the state for community and economic development, can this money go to another entity other then the county.”
Gary Cook “Yes, this money can go to any group actively involved in economic development. This could be a non profit.”
Gary Perea (via phone) “There is 3 to 2 opinion on this item and I do not feel we should close this office. I hope the board takes a recommendation to the commission to not close the office.”
Wayne Cameron “It needs to be noted, all the work done in the office is not EDC related work.”
Virginia Terry “When development occurred in the past, was when individuals of the community got involved. The Chamber, Ely Times and individuals from the community have started improvements, we can not rely on the government.”
Gary Cook “With a non profit group the money pressure is off the county.”
Jim Garza “I will be starting an non profit in January of 2016, that is set up for economic development. This non profit can get grants for travel, etc that the county could not provide and is necessary to bring in business.”
Wayne Cameron “I would like to recommend to the commission this be tabled until we can come up with a plan to present to the commission.”
Gary Perea “I feel we will not take any action with out further discussion.”
Renee Baker – Representing the prison. “I read the county commission minutes and see new employees coming in at higher wages, new positions being created. It is concerning when the county employees did not want to take a furlough and now two people may lose their jobs. The county should look in to other avenues to save money. I have to hire at starting wages at $14. to $15 an hour. The county does not start at being wages and gives large increases.”
Randy Hesterlee made the motion – recommend that no action be taken until more clarity is achieved on the consequences and gains.
Approved
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White Pine Country Meeting for Negotiation with City of Ely on Interlocal Agreement Fire and Animal Control- December 1 2015
Ross Rivera- we need more direction from city and county.
Dispatch needs to be part of the discussion.
Short term plan – Barrington summit is the limit for city assistance.
Sheriff Dan Watts said most people don’t know where they are, so lines don’t work. You have to remember the dispatcher is alone in a room with a map trying to coordinate fire departments, Sheriff, highway patrol, and any other emergency calls.
Bruce Setterstrom “The idea of the Fire Chiefs meeting was to agree we need each other. We need to get to the reason for these meetings and it is compensation. The city was paid before and now we are not.”
Elizabeth Frances “We need to combine services, so there is no problem with dispatch or paying for services. In order to service all people there needs to be no logistic or political boundaries.”
Bruce Setterstrom “Until we finish negotiations on combining departments, we need to agree on payment to the city. The county stopped paying. The reason for the Chiefs meeting is that we need and benefit from working together.”
Mike Wheable “There is only one police department and the city is responsible for the protection of its citizens. There are two fire departments and the county is not legally responsible to pay the city.”
The county was paying $140,000.00 a year and now it is paying nothing.
Bruce Setterstrom stated that the turn outs of the city volunteers had diesel on them while on an assistance call. The cleaning will be expensive.
Brett Waters replied “I took the turn outs to station one, cleaned and returned them.”
What is the cost to the city for helping? Worker compensation, gas, cleaning, etc.
Bruce Setterstrom “It’s over 6 month and the city will have to stop responding to any thing out of the city. I will put it on the next City agenda, which will be on the 10th. The fire department does not leave city limits.”
Agreement was made for City Council to be put on the Commission agenda on December 16, requesting $6,000.00 a month insurance for the City Fire Department to assist the county.
Animal control was not discussed.
Opinion
G Wop
Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth.”
“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”
Will Rogers
White Pine EDC Council
The closing of the EDC office should not result in two valuable employees being laid off. I am quite sure the county can use them to assist in other offices until an opening comes available.
Gary Perea says the votes are not there to close the office. I believe there should be. The county can not afford an empty office with a budget , when the job can be preformed by another entity. It is my understanding there are a few options available.
Wayne is correct in stating the work in the EDC office comes from other offices. There has not been enough work for two person staff, so work has been taken from other offices.
When a few dedicated citizens get together, they can accomplish a lot more and for less money than any government office.
Renee Baker brings up a good point, one that I have talked about many times. The county not only has over paid people, but hire at a rate no other business can afford. Do they forget the people making much less have to pay the bill? Who decides what wage is to be offered?
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Interlocal agreement
This is about money. The fire departments do not have a problem working together.
It is my understanding that the county also assists the city at no expense to the city. From the calls I hear on the radio, the city is called out to assist more than the county, but I do think it is a give and take situation. We have the best volunteers, and they are well trained. Once a county volunteer commandeered my jeep as triage until the city arrived and was able to take over.
I don’t understand why the commissioners were not part of this meeting. The Finance Director is not elected and can only report to the commission.
I do not like threats, but it seems it is the only way to get the attention of the commission.
If this is put on the agenda and I think it will, this is going to be one long interesting meeting on December 16.
What if a large structure was on fire in down town Ely? Should the county be paid for it’s assistants?
Is this another way to disincorporate the City?
Geri Wop
