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County to seek economic experts’ bids
A request for proposals seeking the services of a consultant to help define an economic development strategy for the county was expected to be publicized to prospective bidders this week, with responses due in early June, county officials said Monday.
Joint Administrative Services Director Thomas Judge briefed the Board of Supervisors’ Finance Committee on the document Monday afternoon.
The goal is to gain expert advice about how best to enhance the county’s net tax base, said Board of Supervisors Chairman John Staelin (D-Millwood/Pine Grove), who also is the committee chairman.
County supervisors and the county’s Economic Development Advisory Committee began re-exploring the issue late last year. The issue has been discussed periodically for several years.
“In many communities, economic development means reducing the unemployment level, and so what they’re looking for is jobs,” Staelin said. “Our focus is on what will bring in tax revenue to the county.”
The term “net tax base” is used in the RFP. It states: “Clarke’s goal is to increase the amount of funds that can be used to support schools and other worthy County programs. This means that the direct and indirect County costs associated with any strategy must be recognizably lower than the tax revenues collected.”
The project is expected to have three phases, according to the document: Tax base expansion strategies; criteria for selecting an economic development director; and a work plan for net tax base expansion.
Contact the reporter at rmarlow@timespapers.com
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