Deb Thorn can rest assured that she has a job to do for the City of Moose Jaw until at least the end of 2013.
During Monday’s regular council meeting, the majority of council approved an economic development commission (EDC) recommendation to engage Deb Thorn Consulting, effective as of Oct. 1, to deliver economic development services for a period of 15 months.
“This enables her to continue with work she’s currently engaged in, and allows her to continue to the end of the following year, and permits the city council of Moose Jaw then to determine, following that period of time, what is the best way to deliver economic development services,” Mayor Glenn Hagel said on Monday.
Thorn has been delivering economic development services to the City of Moose Jaw already, by contact, in her position as CEO of the South Central Enterprise Region (SCER). However, in March the 2012-13 provincial budget announcement included the province cutting funding to regional economic development organizations such as SCER.
The only councillor to vote against Thorn’s new 15-month contact on Monday was Coun. Dawn Luhning, who said she believes the contract should be tendered out, allowing other potential bids for the position.
“I just strongly believe this very important piece needed to have a little bit more thought, and I’m not voting in favour of this motion,” Luhning said.
However, the majority of council did approve the contract and Thorn told the Times-Herald her role with the city would continue in a very similar fashion to what she does currently.
For example, she said, a large part of her role is to help set out the city’s objectives each year with an economic development strategic plan. Thorn said this planning process of the EDC enables the city to be proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to enticing investment in the Friendly City.
For more on this story, read an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
