The chairman of the  Flint Hills Regional Council Ben Bennett explained Wednesday that the Council is restructuring so it can remain afloat financially.

“Until a number of the things that we are working now can become a reality, and possibly have enough funding structure to continue to let the Regional Council operate for the next millenium.”

Part of the restructuring will be to operate with a joint directorship that includes parttime chief executive and chief operating officers….Bill Clark continuing in the CEO position, and Gary Stith as the COO. Stith has been an associate planner for the organization.  The move is expected to save money, and extend the organization’s ability to operate on current funds a few months longer beyond the mid-January 2015 time frame when the HUD grant that provides much of the Council’s funding is due to expire.

The Flint Hills Regional Council is working to implement an economic development district and a regional transit authority. Officials are hoping that will generate future revenue streams for the Council.

Three other Council employees will remain on fulltime status.

Bennett called the new arrangement a “bandaid.”It’s not the way that we’re going to operate forever. Soon as we can get things in place we will look back at hiring a fulltime CEO.”