Monona Council approves full MCED funding request

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Groups pledge more collaboration

By Audrey Posten | Times-Register

 

The city of Monona has agreed to fund Monona Chamber and Economic Development, Inc.’s (MCED) full $16,000 request for the coming fiscal year, with an understanding there will be more collaboration to align the city’s and MCED’s goals.

 

Multiple MCED board members joined director Ardie Kuhse at the Jan. 20 Monona city council meeting to state MCED’s case for full funding, after an open letter from mayor Grant Langhus proposed cutting the city’s contribution to $8,000.

 

In the letter, Langhus stated his purpose was not to “defund” MCED, but because local businesses and residents he’d spoken with do not find value in supporting the organization. He challenged MCED to become more in line with what businesses and residents find acceptable and move toward previous council wishes to become more self-supporting.

 

MCED board member Tasha Henkes said the proposed reduction represents “a significant challenge to our board’s ability to achieve its vision and complete ongoing and future projects.”

 

It would reduce support for local businesses, cut events and programs, hinder economic development efforts and reduce collaboration and advocacy, she told the council.

 

“MCED’s vision is to have a thriving, economically stable Monona, and that depends on steady investment. Just as you guys are sitting here talking about what investment you need for your water tower and police department, your chamber and community need that investment also. If we reduce this, what it’s going to do is really jeopardize the momentum we’ve had in the past few years and it’s going to set us back,” Henkes continued. “If there’s a misalignment in what the city feels we should be focusing on, we’re open to collaborating with that so you feel these funds are being used in a direction that’s mutually beneficial.”

 

Henkes said a recent online survey sent to business members and available on the MCED Facebook page is aimed to collect feedback on what the community wants. Only open for a week at the time of the meeting, she said responses had so far been positive.

 

“Running a community, you don’t make everybody happy. Nobody’s perfect, but I do feel, collectively, what the chamber is trying to do for Monona is needed to keep it together. It’s glue, it’s tape,” she shared.

 

MCED activities like trunk-or-treat, music in the park and the farmers market, as well as its support of Hay Days, falls in line with organized events in other communities, Henkes noted. Feedback from survey respondents suggested small, community-centered activities are what Monona residents want.

 

“I think our 2024 highlights speak to the business of the chamber, that we don’t just sit idle,” added Kuhse. “We’re attempting to do the things you’ve asked. It’s not for lack of trying.”

 

Council member John Elledge said no one could dispute Kuhse’s work ethic. He also believed MCED’s vision aligned with that of the city’s: for Monona to be thriving and growing. What he’s long taken issue with is supporting MCED with taxpayer funds.

 

“Is it needed, Tasha? I agree...But does it need to be funded with taxpayer dollars?” he asked. “I run into people who voted for me and they’re like, ‘Where are my tax dollars going? I need to be able to show them something.”

 

Under the believe “action solves money problems,” Elledge encouraged MCED to consider fundraisers to generate more money.

 

Council member Bridget Schlein felt having a chamber or event committee was important, and that events were appreciated. But she, too, asked the board to “take a hard look at your budget.” She hoped a small group of city officials and MCED representatives could meet to discuss goals.

 

“I do agree that we probably need to come together and set some goals based on tangibles. I don’t think we’ve really done that in the past between the two groups,” she said.

 

Fellow council members Erin Friedley and Preston Landt agreed.

 

“I’d like to see more working together, so we’re headed in the right direction,” Landt said. “I will make it a point to hit some of the chamber meetings, just to see what’s going on.”

 

He praised creation of a survey, and encouraged MCED to continue gathering feedback throughout the year.

 

“I do feel the chamber is doing things. Hopefully, by the next year, we get results that everybody in town does agree the chamber is giving everything they’re looking for, the events they want to have, the businesses are getting the services they want to get out of it,” Landt added. “I’m not opposed to giving it another year to see what we get from it and what the return is.”

 

It was ultimately Landt, Schlein, Friedley and Tim Wright who voted in favor of fully funding MCED. Elledge voted “no.”

 

Henkes was committed to moving forward.

 

“It sounds like it’s a contentious relationship that needs to be repaired. We have to work together or we’re not going to have anything to measure. We’re going to be at the same point next year with the same back-and-forth debate,” she said.

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