AUBURN - Cayuga County will continue to pursue the formation of a new entity for coordinated economic development in the county. But that organization's structure and funding source are still up in the air.

Members of the Legislature's Planning and Economic Development Committee received a draft of a contract Thursday that could eventually form the agreement between the county and such an entity. They also saw an example of a current development model from Cortland County.

The committee members took no vote during the monthly meeting on the topic, and the contract can and likely will be changed to accommodate the organization. But committee Chairman Daniel Schuster asked the legislators to use the documents as a kind of guideline for what the entity will look like if it comes to fruition.

The idea behind the new organization is to have a first stop for businesses interested in or already working within the county. The developer would be able to assess the needs of these businesses and forward them to the proper government entity or organization in the county, the city of Auburn or appropriate municipality.

According to the draft agreement, the agency would be responsible for the following within the county: retaining and expanding current businesses, developing and attracting new businesses, and promoting business opportunities and local development entities.

The draft lists the Cayuga County Development Corp. as the agency. However, this could also change, Schuster said.

“This is flexible,” Schuster said. “We need to specify the type of work being done first before funding and choosing the agency.”

The formation of a development agency has become somewhat of a pressing issue in recent weeks as private dollars for the project have disappeared.

The community organization, A Call to Action: A Blueprint for Our Region's Future, pulled a $500,000 offer last week to get such an agency off the ground. The group made the move after Schuster publicly criticized its involvement in the process.

He stated that the organization was using private money to influence public policy and that the process has thus far lacked the transparency that is needed when tax dollars are being discussed. While the county had proposed to use the existing, but unused, CCDC to handle coordinated development, the Blueprint Group had insisted on a completely new entity.

At a special planning committee meeting, legislators showed cautious support for continuing with the proposal despite losing the funds. But many expressed a desire to rebuild bridges with the Blueprint group and seek private support.

Planning officials have estimated that the agency would cost $225,000 a year. The county budget currently includes $95,000 for development that is not being used.

But Chairman Roger Mills maintained Tuesday that the Legislature needs to commit long term to funding coordinated development before the proposal can become a reality. Even if the county can secure some private money, the county would ultimately have to support a new agency, he said.

“If we don't support this for at least the next five years, we're better off not starting this at all,” said Mills, who added that he is hopeful the Legislature will move forward with a resolution sometime soon.

Mills also sent a letter last week asking members of the Blueprint organization to continue their involvement in the process. While private money could help make a first-stop agency a reality, the county must have a detailed plan.

“Until we do that, it is premature to invite others back in,” Mills said.

The planning committee will discuss the topic in more detail at its September meeting.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.