ROCKY MOUNT -- Town council debated Thursday how to best support the Community Partnership for Revitalization and the Virginia Main Street program.

Community Partnership for Revitalization is a nonprofit organization geared toward revitalizing and promoting the downtown area. Its main tasks are to staff the hospitality center and administer the Virginia Main Street program, a state initiative focused on economic development in downtown areas.

After accusations that the nonprofit was becoming too political, Town Manager James Ervin said he sat down with Franklin County Administrator Rick Huff to decide how local government contributions could be spent wisely.

The best bet, they agreed, was to use the money to fund a director position to manage the Main Street program.

About $15,000 from each entity would go toward the salary, Ervin said. That person would answer to an independent board but also work closely with the town and county.

Council member Posey Dillon said he was under the impression that money given to CPR over the past decade -- totaling more than $175,000 -- was supposed to provide a manager.

Instead, Dillon proposed that the job go to Assistant Town Manager Matt Hankins, who is also in charge of economic development.

Jeff Sadler, manager of the state program, said it is important that the manager of the Main Street program remain independent from any local government or interest. It's also best if the program is the manager's only task, he said.

While some criticized the nonprofit for being political, Sadler pointed out some improvements since the CPR and the Main Street program became active.

Property values in the downtown area have increased 136 percent over the past decade, leading to an additional $22,000 a year in property tax revenues, Sadler said. Also, he estimated the number of restaurants in the area has doubled, increasing meal tax revenue.

"I think CPR is a fine program," Dillon said. "But I don't think it can take credit for everything."

Dick Shoemaker, an original member of CPR, urged the council to keep supporting the organization and the program.

"There have been results," he said. "If anything, add firepower to it."

Ervin will continue to get ideas from residents and businesses about how to proceed before bringing more suggestions back to the council.