The Fulton City Council approved an increase in the amount of funding it provides for the Fulton Area Development Corporation during its regular meeting Tuesday night.
David Gilman of United Security bank, chairperson of the FADC board of directors, started off the appeal to the council, asking for a $5,000 increase to $45,000 for 2013.
"This would be the first increase in the contract since 2004," Gilman said. "Currently the city provides 36 percent of FADC's current income ... which means 64 percent comes from other sources."
He said that most other similar community development organizations receive a more significant level of support from the public sector, a point that was repeated by Rick Gohring of The Callaway Bank, who also spoke on behalf of FADC.
"We obviously feel economic development is important," Gohring said after pointing out The Callaway Bank is the organization's second-largest supporter. "Frankly, we all want to see jobs - meaningful jobs - for our citizens."
He then challenged the council to approve not $5,000, but a $10,000 increase in funding.
"The fact that our public sector has been flat for eight years calls into question the level of commitment on the part of the council," Gohring said. "I think it's time we all step up our game."
In addition to increasing their support, he also encouraged the council to "look at what (FADC president) Bruce Hackmann is doing and hold him and other organizations accountable" to make sure they are getting what they pay for.
"In my opinion, there is a good value for what the City of Fulton gets (from FADC)," Gohring said. "I would seriously ask you to consider raising your commitment."