SEDRO-WOOLLEY — The City Council will discuss hiring an economic development director at a work session today.

“Their job would be to keep existing and attract new commercial and industrial development,” said City Supervisor and Attorney Eron Berg.

“It is a very preliminary early discussion,” he said, and cautioned that even if council members want an economic development director, they might not get one.

“It is unclear that the city could afford any level of a position at this point,” he said. “... We are anticipating a tight year in 2009.”

The goal is to determine if hiring an economic development director is a council priority that should be given consideration once the 2009 budget process begins next month, Berg said.

The proposed position is part of Sedro-Woolley’s effort to bolster its business base and would be modeled after Renton, which has a full-time economic development director. However, to cut costs, Sedro-Woolley’s post could be part-time, he said.

“It would be just like Sue Carlson,” Berg said of the former Renton Economic Development director who helped bring the Ikea store to that city.

Carlson tutored Sedro-Woolley officials in economic development and how to attract businesses to city limits during a retreat in June. Besides hiring an economic development director, she suggested forming a blue ribbon commission of city leaders to discuss development issues and advised that Sedro-Woolley develop a business plan.

Berg said the city is considering both of those strategies.

A report from the Parks Committee and the Annual Street Maintenance Program are also on tonight’s agenda. The work session is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Sedro-Woolley Municipal Building, 325 Metcalf St.

• Elliott Wilson can be reached at 360-416-2147 or at .