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Regular Council Meeting July 25, 2016 Page 5 important to the community. He said this would show others how they treated businesses here. With no one else speaking, Mayor Pro -Tem Lancaster closed the public hearing. A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member Trenado and seconded by Council Member Frierson. Motion carried, 5 ayes - 1 nay, with Council Member Clifford casting the dissenting vote. 14. Discuss and act on Paris Economic Development Corporation's FY 2016-17 budget. Mr. Paris reported the budget for 2016-2017 was a total $1,135,708.00 and an overall 2% decrease from the previous year budget. After hearing the budget presentation from Mr. Paris, Council Member Clifford inquired about much the spec building was going to cost. Mr. Paris estimated between $500,000 and $750,000. Council Member Clifford wanted to know how much money had already been spent on the project, which included purchase of the land and demolition of the building. Mr. Paris estimated between $250,000 and $300,000. Council Member Clifford questioned that on a project that was going to go over the $400,000 limit why it was not brought to the City Council first. He told Mr. Paris should the project not be approved, that he will have wasted $300,000. Mr. Paris said he assumed the project was discussed in executive session and Council Member Clifford reported that it was not. Council Member Clifford said he did not see a lot of support for spec buildings and after researching, he found that most were vacant for years and then sold for a discount. Council Member Clifford said according to PEDC's Bylaws that he was required to bring the project to them. Mr. Paris said he believed PEDC followed their Bylaws. Council Member Clifford asked the city attorney Stephanie Harris if the entire project included purchasing the land, demolishing the old building and building a new building. Ms. Harris said it depended on how you interpret that language and said she did not have that in front of her. Council Member Clifford questioned Mr. Paris would it not be better to bring the project to Council before he spent $300,000. Mr. Paris said the net present value of this project was so much better than building anything else. Council Member Clifford asked him wouldn't it have been better to bring it to the Council first. Mr. Paris said he was not here then and that the PEDC Board tried to do what was in the best interest of Paris. Mr. Paris also said when Council approved the budget last year, including an amendment that it included purchasing the land. Council Member Clifford said he still believed it should have been brought to Council and he believed that all of PEDC's projects should be brought to Council. Mr. Paris said the EDC director should be in Council's executive sessions keeping them updated on projects. Council Member Clifford said there appeared to be some overlap, such as utilities in the amount of $12,000 and depot operations in the amount of $15,000. He wanted to know what depot operations included. Mr. Paris said it included infrastructure of computers, lights, supplies and things of that nature. Council Member Clifford said that was $1,200 a month and that he was not in favor of giving him complete free rein of hiring anyone he wanted to hire, because the bylaws required Council is to approve anyone he hires. Council Member Clifford emphasized if Council approves the budget, they are giving a blanket approval. Mr. Paris said the contract line item was there in case they need to hire a lawyer. Council Member Clifford wanted to know