Livingston has taken on the full $30,000 price tag to bring in a retail consultant for the city.
Aldermen Kelly Coleman said the one-year contract is with a retail coach that Highlands Economic Partnership recommended.
“We feel good about this investment,” Coleman said. “We’re trying to figure out how we can minimize tax dollars, retail tax dollars from leaving our community.”
Mayor Curtis Hayes said the consultant will begin work next year. Coleman said services will be limited to retail inside the city limits.
“The Chamber Director and her team has done an extensive background and review of many retail consulting firms,” Coleman said. “This one was highly recommended. We had an extensive discussion at our last council meeting.”
The Board of Aldermen originally approved splitting the price with Overton County, but the county Budget Committee did not approve. That left the full price to be considered by the Board.
“Unfortunately, our county government didn’t see the vision that we feel like we have,” Coleman said.
Coleman said tax money is not being used for the contract and will be paid through grant funds.
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