The Chadron City Council has unanimously approved having the city become a member of the Chadron Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber Executive Director Gabby Michna pitched the idea at the council’s regular meeting Monday night, saying that while the city has always been supportive of the Chamber, it stopped its annual financial contribution to the Chamber a few years ago.
Michna said the city encouraged the Chamber to apply for funds for special projects, but not funds for regular operations. She said the problem is that’s not where the need is.
Although the city isn’t a member, the Chamber bylaws designates a seat on its board for a representative of the city.
Councilman Keith Crofutt, who currently holds that position, told his colleagues his opinion on giving city money to the Chamber for operations has changed a bit and he supports membership.
The council members were in agreement that the most appropriate membership category for the city was “public investment” with annual dues of $520.
City Manager John Sutherland said the current budget has enough in the dues and membership line item for this year with the council they’ll fine-tune the amount when preparing next year’s budget.
The council did turn down offers of the Chamber’s standard 50% discount and pro-rata dues since the year is nearly a third over – saying the city could afford to pay full price.