Monona Council approves MCED payment, but future funding still being discussed
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The Monona City Council, at its Dec. 20 regular meeting, opted not to approve a full annual contribution to the Monona Chamber and Economic Development, Inc. (MCED). Instead, the council approved a $4,000 first quarter payment to MCED in January and plans to discuss future 2022 funds during upcoming budget meetings.
It was the second straight meeting where funding for the organization was on the agenda, after MCED requested a 25 percent increase from the city for the coming year, from $12,000 to $16,000. Board members said the additional $4,000 would help offset a $5,000 decrease in funding from FreedomBank.
“We haven’t started our budget yet, and you’re asking for a large increase over what we’ve done in the past,” said city administrator Barb Collins. “[The council] can approve whatever it wants—and let’s say it’s not 100 percent of what you ask for—and we can amend that later. If things aren’t working out and you weren’t able to get funding through something else, we can help out.”
“Our budget is a lot decreased this year because of certain things,” Collins added. “We have hotel/motel tax on there. That will definitely help when we can assign all that money to the chamber, but that’s going to take a year to do. Our road use tax, our Census, is down, which cuts our budget. The city has to look after everybody, and I know you guys are a very important part of it. It’s just a tough thing to give a lot of extra money right now with shortcomings.”
MCED board president Linda Knockel said it’s not unheard of for the city to give that amount, citing a $16,000 contribution in 2016, and that support from the city is vital to Monona’s growth.
“The city, the chamber and the bank have to work together and be friends to make things work in the community. We’re all here for one objective, and that’s to make Monona grow, to make us be successful, to be a thriving community,” Knockel said. “If you look at the projects we’re working on, if this doesn’t happen, these things are not going to happen. We need somebody in there who can do the grants and help keep those projects moving. We’re also very interested in talking with you guys on the hotel/motel tax in 2022, to see what we can do to get some of that revenue in to help everybody.”
According to Knockel, MCED Executive Director Rogeta Halvorson also continuously works with member businesses, sharing social media posts, advertising and organizing shop hops.
“A lot is behind the scenes, but she’s doing it,” Knockel added.
Council member Andrew Meyer agreed.
“Sometimes you don’t see it all up front right away. It takes time. But without it, nothing happens,” he said. “I said it last meeting too: cities without a chamber aren’t going anywhere, things aren’t happening. I do think it’s important.”
Knockel cited Strawberry Point as an example of what happens to a community when there’s no chamber director or funding.
“They don’t do anything,” she stressed. “If we don’t have somebody who can write the grants and do all this stuff, where’s the town going to go? Downhill. We don’t want that in the community, in the county, that Monona doesn’t do anything. They don’t have any revitalization, they don’t have any of this or any of that.”
Council member John Elledge said there’s no denying MCED’s importance, noting Halvorson’s role in spearheading many city trail and park projects.
“The point I’m arguing is where the funds are coming from. These are taxpayer dollars,” he remarked. “But I know, in my heart, money doesn’t solve money problems. Action solves money problems. Do a pancake breakfast, do a soup supper, anything to try to generate more money.”
Board member Justin Birdnow felt the increased funding request wasn’t throwing money at a problem, but to continue action.
“If we don’t get the city’s support, we won’t have that action,” he said. “One of our issues is our budgets don’t line up. So a lot of the money we need is the first part of the year, and then it tapers off.”
Board members said they would consider other ideas to generate revenue, in addition to the silent auction fundraiser at MCED’s annual banquet. Taking the executive director’s position down to part time was not an option, though.
“I think a lot of things wouldn’t happen if we didn’t keep [Halvorson] on the same schedule,” Birdnow responded.
Knockel added that, at this time, it’s unrealistic to think MCED can be completely self sufficient.
“I would say there’s always going to be some funding that’s needed,” she said. “If we can get to the point we bring more businesses to the community, maybe we can cut that back down again.”
Council members Preston Landt and Bridget Schlein addressed MCED’s emphasis on park and trail improvements.
“I want to make sure [Halvorson] is not spending all her time on the parks and trails, but for the businesses and people who are paying dues,” Landt said.
“We have wonderful parks and trails, but I worry how the city is going to sustain those things and maintain them the next five to 10 years,” Schlein added. “So giving more money to the chamber when it could be used to maintain what we have is a hard thing for me.”
Elledge wondered at the investment the city has made in the chamber, but yet the city’s tax base is shrinking. Why?
“That’s a question I’d like to ask the chamber and economic development that keeps asking for money,” he said.
Knockel cited housing as a big reason. It’s one of the top items on MCED’s 2022 agenda.
But Collins said five houses have been built in the cul de sac in the last couple years and developers have empty lots available. There’s not much more the city can do than for developers to get out and sell those lots. “It all takes time and money,” she quipped.
Collins said officials have to do what’s best for everybody who’s currently in the city.
“We definitely want people to live here, and I think we’ve done an amazing job together, between you guys and the city, of getting our parks and trails where they should be. I don’t think we need to go much further. Our big focus this year needs to be on our housing, our sidewalks and our streets. We have to make every dollar count for the best of our ability,” she continued. “It’s not that we don’t want to give you more, it’s just hard for us to be the backup when someone else cuts. It gets to be a burden on the city.”
