1. Mayor Bernie Hunstad bhunstad@danvilleky.org
Mayor Pro Tem James H. Atkins jh.atkins@centre.edu
Commissioner Kevin Caudill bluegrassapprais@bellsouth.net
Commissioner Gail Louis nglouis@bellsouth.net
Commissioner Ryan Montgomery ryan@mandmky.com
Mayor Hunstad and Commissioners Atkins, Caudill, Louis, and Montgomery:
I strongly urge the Danville City Commission to approve its designated $120,000.00 appropriation to
the Danville/Boyle County Economic Development Partnership (EDP) without earmarking the use
of those funds for a specific purpose.
I am opposed to the City Commission taking this action for the following reasons:
Earmarking has never been imposed by the City Commission as a condition for its
appropriations, nor is the Commissionapplying this proposed policyequitably to all non-
governmental agencies which receive City funds.It appears that the EDP is being singled out.
This proposed policy also sets a troublesome precedent that may be abused by future
administrations.
Earmarking the use of the City’s funds by the EDP limits the discretion and fiduciary
responsibility of the EDP Board of Directors in budgeting and expending its revenues
strategically to pursue its business development mission. As a Partner, the City has a direct
voice and vote on the EDP Board of Directors to determine how the EDP’s funds are
expended.
Earmarking a portion of the City’s appropriation for “business development” suggests a
false choice between this and necessary expenditures for the EDP’s personnel and
operations. Allof the EDP’sfunding is expended in pursuit of its business development
mission. The City’s appropriation will be meaningless without the necessarystaff and
resources to carry out that mission across the Partners.
Thank you for considering my position on this important matter to our community.
Sincerely,
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