City commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Ignite Emporia to roll over $200,000 in unutilized private-public partnership funds from 2020 toward the project’s housing development initiatives in 2021 during a joint study/action session Wednesday. The vote passed 3-1 with Commissioner and Ignite Emporia Director Rob Gilligan abstaining and Commissioner Becky Smith providing the lone “nay” vote. Beforehand, Smith said she was apprehensive on two key points, the first being the perception of favoritism by members of the board and the other being a lack of defined plan for the funds.
Source: Emporia Gazette
