The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce addressed city leaders at the commission meeting Monday, Aug. 10, through a letter submitted by the chamber’s board of directors.
The letter from the chamber is subsequent to a July budget meeting, when Commissioner Mike Sparkman asked to see how the money the chamber receives from the city is being used. Annually, the chamber is given about $60,000 from the city, which is supposed to be used for economic development. The chamber has been putting the money into the general funds.
“It’s not being spent like they told us it would be for economic development,” Sparkman said.
The letter, which was read by former chairperson Nate Kilton, provided an update on the chamber’s activities, as well as its plans for the future. The letter expressed the chamber’s desire to support efforts to redevelop Midtown, discussed chamber-led community events and shared the chamber’s view on economic development.
“Economic development is multifaceted, and requires equal focus on maintenance of existing businesses and attraction of new businesses,” the letter read. “Spending all of the resources of an organization to attract new business will only result in losing existing business.”
Although the letter presented did not have a by-the-numbers breakdown of how the funds were being allocated, the chamber acknowledged that this information will be more available in the future, should the funding continue.
“We fully understand the importance of accountability and transparency,” the letter stated.
A final decision regarding the chamber’s funding allocation from next year’s city budget has not been made yet. Two public hearings will be held Monday, Sept. 14, and Monday, Sept. 28, regarding the city’s budget for the next fiscal year.
“All items are open for discussion until the budget is approved,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “We have a lot of this responsibility … to make sure every dollar is spent wisely. We do value the chamber of commerce. We do respect you and we do respect the job you are doing.”
IN OTHER NEWS
The commission approved a work order to HDR Engineering for construction engineering and inspection services for multiple projects in the utilities department.
Soon, the utilities department will begin work on the Park Road reclaimed water extension, the south frontage road utility extensions and the county line road utility extensions, among other projects.
For the County Line Road utility extensions, HDR is not to exceed $136,455. For the Park Road reclaimed water extension, HDR is not to exceed $34,155. In total, $267,630 is allotted for the department’s projects.
In conjunction with the County Line Road utility extension project, the commission also approved the purchase of pipes and valves for construction. Fusible PVC Pipe was purchased from Underground Solutions Inc. for $88,425. Other PVC pipe, valves and fitting were purchased from Hayes Pipe Supply for $425,102.11. The city expects that the installation of utility lines on County Line Road will be in operation in January 2016.
PROCLAMATIONS
Don Walden was honored for 12 years of service on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Hillsborough County, and was presented with a plaque by Mayor Rick Lott.
“Our volunteer activities is what makes this such a strong community,” Lott said. “It’s our way of saying thank you for 12 years of wonderful service.”
Plant City Masonic Lodge No. 206 was also awarded with a proclamation to celebrate its 95th anniversary. The lodge is currently located at the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Maryland Avenue. The proclamation was accepted from Mayor Rick Lott by Robert J. Godfrey Sr., and Henry L. Wright.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com