The Economic Development Commission Advisory Board approved it’s proposed 2016 budget Thursday morning which calls for more funds from the City of Junction City than they’ve received in the past.

Ben Kitchens, Board Chairman explained the additional funds would still come from the one mill the city allocates to the EDC.

“We’ve always been provided one mill and half of a mill for budget purposes, a mill from the city and then half from the county. A few years back when we went through consolidation the groups agreed the City could withhold 25 percent to help take care of some of the vacant properties that the City owned because they needed upkeep,” explained Kitchens.

“Now those properties are rented and I think it’s time that money comes back into the EDC because that’s how it was always obligated in the past.”

Kitchens also said that the EDC can argue that the additional funds are needed now because they are finally fully staffed with the recent hiring of Greg Miller as the new full time EDC Director.

The proposed budget will now go to the Chamber Board of Directors before being passed on to the City and County Commissions next month.