City Council, Chamber of Commerce hold work session

Melodie Phelps, News Editor

Monticello — Several ideas were hashed out during a work session held last week between the Monticello City Council and the Monticello-Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

The work session was scheduled after the Chamber approached the council with a request for a $20,000 donation to help expand the work that the organization already does in the community.

During the regular meeting held in November, council members said they would like to hold a work session with the Chamber to discuss specific projects they might be able to provide funding for. And that's what happened on Monday, November 23.

While no action could be taken during the meeting by the council, the session proved to be a good starting point for the two entities to work together.

The Chamber had presented the council with a "wish list" budget proposal for next year, which included the development of a new website, some additional signage to make the Chamber's presence more visible, as well as promotional activities like a video that could be aired on television stations in larger markets.

Council members seemed to be in consensus that the city could provide some immediate assistance to the Chamber to help them with a deficit of funds.

Councilman Jeffrey Edwards asked what could immediately be done to help the organization.

Paul Dunnington, with the Chamber, noted that they needed approximately $5,000 to stay afloat until dues begin to come in next month.



But besides putting a "bandaid" on the problem, several council members expressed an interest in putting together a committee with representatives from the city, the county and the Chamber to come up with a plan and prioritize some of the proposals.

Edwards and Phillip Duncan agreed to serve on this committee.

Taking it a step beyond that, Councilman Alvin Sexton said he would like to see a community organization that would formulate a long-range plan for economic development.

"We need to get everybody on the same page and everybody moving in the right direction," said Sexton. "Organization is the key."

Monticello City Council may opt to take action on some of these ideas during its next meeting on Monday, December 14.

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