Before their regular meeting March 17, San Marcos City Council decided to postpone a vote that would potentially reduce funding to the Greater San Marcos Partnership, the group responsible for economic development in Hays and Caldwell counties. Instead, the council charged a subcommittee consisting of Mayor Daniel Guerrero and council members Lisa Prewitt and John Thomaides to continue looking at the city’s contract with the partnership. “Many people this evening have mentioned one of the biggest issues we have had was transparency, so we want to make sure we have that taken care of,” Prewitt said. “I think the roles—if the city were to move forward with [an in-house economic development] director—what would those roles look like?” According to the partnership, the organization has taken part in bringing 1,358 jobs to the Greater San Marcos region through companies relocating or expanding operations in the area since 2010. In December, council members formed a subcommittee to examine and make recommendations for amendments to the city’s contract with the partnership. At the March 17 meeting, Councilwoman Jane Hughson said those negotiations were not happening fast enough. “It needs to be a group that is ready to work on all aspects,” Hughson said. “I wanted it to be folks who are going to look at whatever we need to do.” At a meeting Feb. 17, council members directed staff to draft a formal amendment reducing the city’s annual contribution to the organization from $360,000 to $120,000. The remaining $240,000 would be put toward the creation of an in-house economic development department staffed by three people who would be hired over the next five years. That decision came after Thomaides, Prewitt, Hughson and Councilman Shane Scott voiced support for the creation of the in-house team. Guerrero and councilmen Jude Prather and Ryan Thomason opposed the funding reduction. The council remains divided on the issue of how to fund the partnership and whether to move forward with an in-house team. “I would like to lay this issue to rest, move forward and make our commitment to the Greater San Marcos Partnership,” Prather said at the March 17 meeting. “I think we’re damaging our perception, and I would like to move forward and lay this issue to rest and make our commitment to the GSMP at its current funding levels.” GSMP President Adriana Cruz said that her organization is continue its work despite ongoing contract discussions. The partnership recently announced Epic Piping would open for business in San Marcos this spring. A company representative said the fabrication company plans to bring 500 jobs to San Marcos over the next 10 years. Additionally, Cruz said the city is a finalist for another project looking to relocate or expand. "At the end of the day we’ve got a job to do," she said. "We’re still working some projects, and we’re excited about some of the recent announcements we've made."