Submitted By: Marie Mesadieu
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Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve the annual agreement for business creation, retention, and attraction services with the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership in the amount of $190,000
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: This agenda item was initially presented to the Ocala City Council at the November 5, 2024, meeting and was tabled per the Council’s request. City staff and the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) have worked collaboratively to restructure the Agreement to capture the recommended changes and objectives the Ocala City Council raised.
The CEP requested $190,000 from the City's Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to support business creation, retention, and attraction. The initial CEP request occurred in 2012 when the City agreed to a quarterly expenditure to promote and enhance its economic growth. There has been an agreement in each subsequent year. Before the creation of the CEP, agreements existed between the City and the Economic Development Council.
Summary of the changes in the annual CEP approved funding over the years:
|
Fiscal Year |
Amount Approved Annually |
|
2011-12 to 2014-15 |
$145,000.00 |
|
2015-16 to 2018-19 |
$165,000.00 |
|
2019-20 to 2023-24 |
$190,000.00 |
Beginning in Fiscal Year 2011-12 to Fiscal Year 2023-24, the City Council recommended funding the above annual amounts to the CEP and requested that the City and CEP enter into a service agreement. Each year afterward, the City Council has included the requested $190,000 in the adopted budget. The CEP is Ocala/Marion County's designated representative to Florida Commerce (formerly Enterprise Florida, Inc.), the official economic development organization for the State of Florida.
The CEP represents the community as a Florida Commerce Stakeholders’ Council member.
Staff recommends approval of the agreement to further establish Ocala as an economic hub. The proposed Fiscal Year 2024-25 Business Creation, Retention, and Attraction Services Agreement (Agreement) is attached for the Council's action.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The CEP met the terms of the previous agreements and qualified for quarterly payments totaling $190,000. A summary of the CEP’s performance during Fiscal Year 2023-24 is attached.
City staff and the CEP have revised the existing agreement to capture the evolving demands of the City and the CEP as Ocala continues to experience significant growth. The agreement has been revised to include the following:
• Definition of key terms.
• Conflict of interest protocols.
• Operation of the Power Plant business incubator, setting a minimum occupancy rate to be maintained throughout the year.
• Revised work plan with target areas within city limits and OEU service territory.
• Funding is categorized under a one-time sponsorship grant payment ($100,000) and City Service Payment ($90,000).
• More structured and concise forms for reporting documents.
• The role of the CEP in convening the Financial Review Committee (FRC)
If approved, the proposed Agreement will be effective from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Staff recommends approval of the Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available in the Economic Investment Program account number 674-099-999-559-81-34010.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: NA
LEGAL REVIEW: This agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by the City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes.
• Instruct staff to negotiate an alternate agreement.
• Deny
• Table