By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — Dennis Burke told the Baxter Springs City Council that the town’s sesquicentennial celebration was an example of many people from many organizations coming together to make an event successful.
“We would like to see that energy of people working together toward the city’s success continue,” said Burke, president of the Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Burke, who also is the school superintendent, was at the council meeting Tuesday night with other members of the chamber to propose hiring an executive director.
Burke said a chamber director could represent the city in economic development activities, and tourism and historic-preservation programs. The director also would manage a city and chamber Web site, and would be responsible for bringing government and civic groups together. The director would develop new businesses through recruitment and other economic development efforts, which would create sales-tax and property-tax revenue, Burke said. The director also could work on increasing tourism for the town, which is on Route 66.
“Baxter in the next three years is going to be in a unique situation to move forward,” Burke said. He said the Downstream Casino Resort in Oklahoma and a potential casino in Cherokee County will create opportunities for Baxter Springs. He said the Wildwood Ranch development west of Joplin, Mo., also could bring opportunities to the town.
Burke proposed paying the executive director $20,000, with fringe benefits totaling $10,000, a travel budget of $5,000, and an advertising and promotion budget of $5,000, for a total of $40,000.
He recommended that the city redirect the $25,000 set aside for economic development in the current budget, with the chamber contributing $15,000 in office space, phone and Internet services, and clerical support.
“I think you’re thinking too small,” said Councilman Ron Steele. He said paying the director $35,000 to $40,000 would result in a better-qualified and more dedicated worker.
Chamber board members said they would accept any amount the city budgeted.
“We’re not asking you to put in any new money right now,” said board member Mark Goehring. “We’ll take anything you give us, and more, and use it wisely so we can make Baxter Springs better.”
Mayor Huey York said money rarely is spent from the $25,000 budgeted for economic development.
“What good does it do to budget $25,000 for economic development if you don’t spend any of it?” he said.
York said hiring someone to handle the duties described is long overdue.
“You need a spark plug,” he said. “For any engine to run, you need a spark plug.”
Councilman Larry Warner said a chamber director also should address the town’s housing shortage.
“We’re to a point of stagnation,” Warner said. “We get a business here, and they (workers) can’t live here.”
Chamber board member Bert Kellum said he agreed. He said the town has missed business opportunities because one of the first things prospective businesses ask about is available housing. He said Baxter Springs has a property-tax disadvantage compared with neighboring towns in Missouri and Oklahoma.
“It’s hard to compete with that,” Kellum said, adding that Baxter Springs offers a lot in terms of a small-town atmosphere and schools.
“Nine out of 10 times, people would rather live in Baxter Springs than Joplin,” Kellum said.
Burke said the chamber would like to hire someone for the position by Sept. 1.
“I guess what we’re asking you to buy is a future,” added chamber board member Chuck Leverich.
Up next
The Baxter Springs City Council likely will discuss the chamber proposal at its Aug. 12 meeting.
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