Politics & Government

Alpharetta Considers Hiring Economic Development Staffer, Funding Special Events

Tonight's City Council meeting will include the first reading of a mid-year budget ordinance.

Alpharetta might use a mid-year budget adjustment as a chance to hire another economic development employee and beef up its special events.

Finance Director Tom Harris will present the mid-year budget plans and ordinance at tonight's meeting, Feb. 18, at Alpharetta City Hall.

The city would hire an economic development at a cost of $38,000 for the final four months of the fiscal year that ends June 30. A full year would cost the city an estimated $98,000 in salary and benefits.

Find out what's happening in Alpharetta-Miltonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The agenda item's supporting document says the economic development manager "ill assist the Economic Development Director in implementing the city’s economic development goals (e.g. promoting economic growth, job creation, business retention and recruitment, etc.)."

Another $105,072 would be added to the administration department's budget to add special events and staff needed to run them. With the planned addition of Food Truck Thursdays by staff -- but not yet approved by City Council -- and the addition of a June "Movies on Milton" night, the costs for special events will rise.

Find out what's happening in Alpharetta-Miltonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Also, the administration under City Administrator Bob Regus proposes converting a part-time position in special events to full time. Another $13,0000 would be needed to cover the costs for the rest of the fiscal year, with the estimated annual cost being $68,000 with salary and benefits.

Just adding hours to one staff member's work schedule won't be enough to handle all of the special events. So staff proposes paying a professional event planning services firm to assist with Alpharetta Arts Streetfest and Taste of Alpharetta. Another $15,200 would be budgeted for this assistance.

"Professional event planning services offer staff a convenient and cost effective way to oversee and operate the city’s larger events. Additionally, these event planning services create sponsorship opportunities through their relationships with other events," according to the agenda document.


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