By KEN CARPENTER
Great Bend Post
GREAT BEND — Sara Hayden, director of Great Bend Economic Development, asked the Barton County Commission on Wednesday to provide $20,000 for an advertising initiative. A majority of Commissioners approved that request but added another $20,000 for projects her non-profit organization is working on.
Hayden's only request was for money for a targeted advertising campaign aimed at businesses and individuals outside the state of Kansas. It would be used for video and print advertising.
Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson expressed his support for GBED after Hayden made her presentation.
"We don’t have to hire an additional person at the county level that would cost us more resources,” Hutchinson said. “We can dedicate some of those resources to what the Great Bend Economic Development initiative is.”
Hutchinson, however, surprised some of his colleagues when he made a motion to award the money requested plus the additional funds. His motion stipulated that the additional $20,000 would go to project development. Hayden explained that project development for her organization would include ongoing initiatives for childcare, housing and entrepreneurship.
Commissioner Jennifer Schartz expressed concern about the suddenness of Hutchinson’s proposal. She pointed out that the extra funding had not been discussed at the Commission’s previous study sessions.
"I may be in favor of this,” Schartz said. “What I am not in favor of is that we talked about the first $20,000 and that’s what I was prepared to vote on. I think we need to talk about it a little bit more and give it some thought. I don’t like things pushed at me during a meeting and have to make a decision right now.”
Hutchison’s motion was approved with the support of Commissioners Kirby Krier and Barb Esfeld. Schartz was joined by Commission Chairman Jim Daily in opposing the motion.
Daily said he wanted to discuss the additional funding before he would vote to support it.