The Mower County board is starting a discussion for how it should handle future Vision 2020 funding requests and similar requests from other agencies.

The board is scheduled to meet with county department heads and Vision 2020 officials during a retreat at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the main floor conference room of the Mower County Government Center to discuss Vision 2020 requests and factors impacting county services. The move could eventually lead to future board actions to set a policy or allotment for funding outside agencies.

“The board’s going to hear from Vision 2020 as what they’re about, what their specific visions are, where do they think the county can help them out,” County Coordinator Craig Oscarson said.

The board has heard several requests for funding from various Vision 2020 projects and committees, and the board has had a mixed response. Oftentimes, the board has expressed hesitation to fund projects that it sees as Austin-only projects because the county receives levy dollars from across the county.

Oscarson called it a positive step by the board to discuss its future with Vision 2020 and come up with a logical approach on future funding options.

The meeting will be an informational session for the board, and it could help the board eventually discuss whether the board should allot funding to Vision 2020, in what areas and in what ways. For example, Oscarson said the board could set aside an allotment for Vision 2020 and other agencies from outside of Austin to compete for each year.

But it’s not so simple. If the board decides to give money each year, Oscarson said it often has to find places in state statute that allow the county to dedicate taxpayer money to such projects.

County Attorney Kristen Nelsen is slated to talk about the legal process for the board to be aware of when they decide to fund such projects.

“They first have to figure out if there’s a will, and then we’ve got to figure out if there’s a way,” Oscarson said.

Finance Director Donna Welsh is slated to talk about the county’s financial health, and other department heads will discuss driving factors in their budgets.

Vision 2020 officials will also be on hand to discuss issues.