The county council will be drafting up a bylaw that will allow Lac La Biche county to proceed with the creation of an economics development services board. For the time being, councillors have decided that they will continue their contract with marketing agency Community Futures to advertise Lac La Biche 's tourism industry until the end of the year.
Councillor Tim Thompson said it made the most sense that Lac La Biche honor the contract with Community Futures.
Continuing the contract makes sense, and Community Futures has worked hard for Lac La Biche, said Thompson, adding that it will make it an easier transition until a future board is established.
Similar sentiments were shared by councillor Aurel Langevin, saying that the $70,000 commitment to the Community Futures marketing plan shouldn't be shut down midway through the year, and would create problems for the count's own public telations department.
"It's $70,000 to complete the year. Terminating this midway is not going to get our public relations people up to speed. I don’t know why we don’t say continue the contract," he said.
Opposed to the continued relationship with Community Futures was councillor John Nowak, who said summers in Lac La Biche would be busy, with or without marketing.
I don’t think it’s reaching a target, Nowak said.
The marketing from Community Futures will be used as a buffer, until the county creates an economics development services board.
Duane Coleman, chief administrative officer said the best model was to hire someone from outside of Lac La Biche to consult, organize and put together a board, as well as implement an economic development plan. The economic development services board will have decision-making power and financial authority separate from the Lac La Biche county council.
Councillor MJ Siebold said an economics development board that operated separately from the council was a good idea.
It takes away the political ramifications of this council. It shouldn t be political, it should be in the interest of the community, she said.
The purpose of the economic development services board, according to county documents, is to promote financial growth within LLB county through sustainable means both within and outside of the municipality.
A total of $350,000 has been budgeted for the economic development services board. The services of Community Futures cost $70,000, and according to Community Futures staff, the firm leveraged an additional $114,000 from that $70,000 on behalf of the county to be used for marketing.
