Potential Economic Development Funding Discussed By Bethany City Council

Bethany City Administrator Jacob Taylor told Bethany’s Board of Aldermen that he would like to take thoughts from them in the next 2 to 4 weeks regarding a position focusing on economic development and/or recovery that may be contracted or hired. He suggested that a consultant could be hired on a piecemeal basis, a full- or part-time position directly or through the University of Missouri Extension, or hired as a City of Bethany employee. He stated that he would prefer not to hire the position as a city employee at this point. The city budgeted $20,000 for Economic Development for this year. There are COVID-19 recovery funds coming to the city that could also be potentially used towards the position.

Administrator Taylor also presented an application for federal relief funds that could be used by the city that would provide businesses or individuals help in recovering from economic damage done by the COVID-19 pandemic. At this point, the city has not received final guidelines for use of the funding. Mayor Lance Johns did state that he would like to see the city make the applications available to businesses and individuals for the help. A board will review the applications for the uses of the funding and make recommendations back to the council.

The board approved bids for a front end loader, a pickup, and accounting software at the meeting.

The city received $40,515 from the surplus auction held on June 6th.

The city also approved updated dog pound fees at the meeting.

The Fireworks Display for the City of Bethany will be held on Saturday, July 3rd. The contractor will stay the same.