Citrus County Chronicle, August 27, 2001
By Terry Witt

The future of the Citrus County Economic Development Council will be on the line Tuesday when the county commission meets in Inverness.

Council members will ask commissioners to approve an agreement that would allow the EDC to continue receiving the county funds it needs for survival.

The council has devised a set of measurements and goals that commissioners can use to judge whether it has created jobs in the county.

Interim Executive Director Brett Wattles said the goals and measurements in the agreement are a way to guarantee performance.

“Hopefully, we are raising the bar. We’ve got to be accountable and we have to meet our goals,” Wattles said.

Commissioners will be briefed on the proposed agreement in one-on-one meetings with county staff Monday.

Commissioner Gary Bartell, who has been one of the EDC’s critics, said he has not seen the agreement.

But he believes the new leadership of the EDC has brought a “breath of fresh air” to the organization.

Hiring an experienced executive director who can hit the ground running will be important to EDC’s future, Wattles said.

But Wattles is not interested in the position.

“If the right person is brought on board, it will be a key factor” he said.

“I’m flattered that people have inquired about me, but at this point my business is such that it’s not practical to do it at this time.”

In other business: - Commissioners will hear a utility rate presentation from Henry L. Thomas, vice president of Public Resources Management Group Inc.

Thomas’s company studied the rate structure of the county-owned water and sewer system and has recommended changes in the fees.

The changes are not expected to affect the water rates of people using 10,000 gallons or less each month.

- State Rep. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon, will present commissioners with a check from the Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program.

The money will be used to develop and equip county parks.

- Teresa Gorentz, director of Nature Coast Emergency Medical Service, will give commissioners a report on the efficiency of the not-for-profit company’s operations.

- Commissioners will consider an ordinance that increases impact fees for fire, law enforcement and emergency medical services.

The figures were developed by Duncan and Associates, a consulting firm.

- Commissioners will consider a resolution that disbands the county eco-tourism committee.

See August 27, 2001 issue of Citrus County Chronicle for original article.