The Italy Economic Development Corporation voted to table continued consulting services with David Miracle at its monthly meeting Monday evening.

Following a half-hour executive session, Elmerine Bell, made the motion to table contracting with Miracle for consulting and general services for strategic plans steps five and six.

Mark Souder Sr., vice president, thanked Miracle for the work he has done on behalf of the EDC. ”You brought us a lot further than we were.”

He added, “The decision we made tonight is based on the economy. We’re watching what the economy does.”

The EDC hired Miracle as a consultant to develop a strategic plan. He completed four of the eight steps toward the plan.

In other business, the board approved a revised baseline analysis goals and objectives presented by Miracle.

Miracle presented the gathered analysis at the December meeting. Board members suggested several changes and he implemented those changes into the analysis for this meeting.

Concerns came when Miracle presented an audit analysis and moved the hiring of a staff to the number one goal of the EDC.

Randy Boyd, member, questioned why this item became the top EDC goal.

Miracle said the EDC could not complete the strategic plans with the existing volunteers and city staff.

Souder said he did not remember voting to make staffing the top goal. He did say that he understood the need for the staff but felt it should be a bullet under the original first goal.

Tom Little, member, questioned how the EDC would fund the staff.

Souder said he did not expect to hire a part time staffer any time soon due to the state of the economy. “For the time being, we have to work with the staff we have.”

In other business, the board voted to send up to two members to a one-day training conference in Austin focusing on small business financing. Joyce Hobbs volunteered to go as one representative.

Financially, Teri Murdock, city secretary/administrator, said there is $152,921 in the money market account. She said the EDC received $4,517 in December in addition to $311.87 in interest.

They voted to transfer $5,000 into the operating account from the money market. Murdock said this should last them several months.

Mark Stiles, president, was not in attendance.