The Polk County Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed this week to extend county economic development director Robert Williamson’s contract by six months.

Commissioners met Monday, July 18 and approved the consent agenda, which contained Williamson’s contract as well as previous meeting minutes and tax refunds.

The contract is between the county and Strategic Work Systems Inc., which is Williamson’s company.

The original contract between Williamson and the county was Nov. 17, 2014. The last contract expired on June 30, 2016 and was extended until Dec. 30, 2016.

The last time Williamson’s contract was extended was December 2015 when his contract was extended until the end of this fiscal year, June 30, by a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Ray Gasperson voted against the contract extension last December.

Williamson’s contract has been extended both times at the same pay, approximately $65,000 per year or $5,416 per month.

Williamson was originally hired by the county as a consultant to help commissioners draft an economic development plan and strategy, which was adopted by commissioners in August 2014. The county then hired Williamson as the county’s interim economic development director for the next three months until naming him permanent director in November 2014.

Williamson gives reports to commissioners frequently on what the economic development office is doing as well as the county economic and tourism development commission.