During the Monday, Aug. 10, City of Plant City Commission meeting the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce plans to address the Commission about the funding the chamber receives from the city.
At a July budget workshop Commissioner Mike Sparkman brought up the funding to his fellow commissioners. The city has given around $60,000 to the chamber on an annual basis to be used for economic purposes. When he has asked to see how it has been allocated, the chamber has said it goes into the general fund.
“I don’t think it’s right for them to take money that is earmarked and put it into the general fund when it is earmarked for economic development,” Sparkman said.
The city is working on creating its own economic development council separate from that of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, of which assists Plant City in economic development. Sparkman said it is redundant to give funding to the chamber for development if the city will have its own council specializing in development.
Sparkman said he would like to have the funding cut from the proposed budget, which will be finalized in September.
“I want to see what the public thinks,” Sparkman said.
The chamber has been notifying its members of the Commission meeting. It will give a statement in response to the issue during the public comments section.
City Commission meets beginning at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium of City Hall (Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building), 302 W. Reynolds St.