By MARK MCGEE
The City of Shelbyville is considering the option of rejoining the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership.
After the success of the Christmas celebration which was a joint effort of the Partnership, Bedford County and the City of Shelbyville the idea to possibly rejoin the Partnership was up for consideration.
“Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham invited me to meet with me individually,” Shelbyville Mayor Randy Carroll said. “That is when he asked me to consider being part of the Partnership again”
The City would be required to pay $100,000 to rejoin. The amount could be paid in four $25,000 increments which is the same payment plan used by the County.
Partnership board chairman David Coffey sent a letter to the City in late January to discuss the possibility of the City returning to the Partnership which promotes businesses, education and tourism in the county.
Carroll admitted he has some concerns about some parts of the letter.
“If we vote to rejoin, and there are some things in this letter we need to work out before we make that decision, we would pay $25,000 per quarter,” Carroll said. “We want to see what personnel they have and what they are doing right now. I don’t even know what they are doing. We will work through it. We just wanted everyone to see the letter.”
City Council member Marilyn Ewing was concerned about the Partnership’s request in the letter for a portion of the City’s hotel/motel tax.
“They want us to consider allocating a portion of the hotel/motel tax to help promote tourism,” Carroll said. “That is something we will have to decide on.”
Two representatives from the City would be on the board _ one council member and the Mayor.
City Attorney Ginger Shofner said the City needs to determine the exact structure of the board now.
“The decision will be based on this letter alone,” Carroll said. “This is a start.”
A decision is expected to be made at Thursday night’s regular City Council meeting.
