The cost of Iolas economic development efforts will be explored at Mondays Iola City Council meeting.
Council members will speak with Shilo Eggers, president of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce, and Bill Maness, interim director of Thrive Allen County, both of which receive city funding.
The city for years has financially supported the Chamber with proceeds from its transient guest tax, paid by local motel patrons. Between 2000 and 2018, the citys annual contribution has averaged $25,000, City Administrator Sid Fleming noted.
In 2013, the city began a partnership with Allen County and Iola Industries, Inc., to utilize Thrive Allen County as an economic development tool. Since 2014, each of the three entities pays Thrive $20,000. Iolas share comes from its Industrial Fund, which is funded through property taxes. In addition to being interim director at Thrive, Maness also serves as the economic development officer.
THE COUNCIL also is expected to approve a new ordinance to conform with the states new cereal malt beverage allowances.
Starting April 1, licensed vendors will be allowed to sell cereal malt beverages beer, wine coolers, etc. consisting of up to 6 percent alcohol content. The current limit is 3.2 percent.
Once the state law goes into effect, Iolas municipal codes would unlawfully contradict the states limits, Fleming noted, thus making the new ordinance necessary.
ALSO on the agenda are further discussions of the July 13 Farm-City Days Summer Concert featuring recording artist Darryl Worley and a detailed list of forfeited property to the Iola Police Department.
Mondays 6 p.m. meeting will be in the New Community Building at Riverside Park and is open to the public.
