City Manager Watson told the Monroe City Council on Dec. 10, 2024 that the Union County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution formally giving notice of its intent to withdraw from the Monroe–Union County Economic Development Commission and terminate the interlocal agreement, with an effective date two years from the resolution: Nov. 4, 2026.

Watson said the county cited a desire to “promote economic development activity in Union County through its own internal economic development efforts” and advised the council the county has decided to create a separate county economic development department. Watson read excerpts of the county manager’s message and said the county manager requested the city’s consideration of an earlier dissolution date, citing staffing and facility changes.

Watson told council the county no longer intends to host the commission in the county facility on Airport Road, the county offered employment to existing economic development staff and those employees accepted, and that the commission currently lacks personnel to operate. Watson also reported the commission bank account received a transfer of a little over $200,000 as its last transfer; some salaries and legal expenses have been paid and staff will withhold Monroe’s scheduled six-month contribution pending resolution of remaining funds in the commission account. Watson said Monroe staff completed an inventory of office assets in the commission offices, including two sport utility vehicles, a trailer, furniture and artwork; some assets originated with the city, some with the county and some were purchased by the commission and can be identified in the inventory.

In response, the council approved four linked actions: 1) instruct the city manager’s office to complete a comprehensive feasibility study to establish a locally driven Economic Development Committee (EDC) addressing location, staffing, structure, operations and budget; 2) authorize city attorneys to coordinate with county attorneys to dissolve the Monroe–Union County Economic Development Commission and bring a formal dissolution agreement back to the council; 3) form a temporary mayoral advisory committee (to include Mayor Burns, Councilman James Carr, Councilman Franco McGee, the city manager, representatives from the city attorney’s office, and departmental support from Scott Clark and Rob Miller) to guide early planning and transition into a formal board of advisors by July 1; and 4) authorize staff to notify Monroe’s current appointees to the joint commission of the forthcoming dissolution and provide updates during the transition.

All four motions were moved, seconded and recorded as approved by the council; the transcript records motions and subsequent “Those in favor?” prompts with voice/hand votes but does not include a roll-call tally.

Watson said staff will withhold Monroe’s next scheduled six-month contribution (due Jan. 1) while staff reconcile the commission account and determine Monroe’s share of remaining funds and assets, and that staff stand ready to assist council with establishing a new locally led EDC. Watson summarized: “Monroe has the resources, has the shovel ready project sites, has the will and has the way to move forward.”

Why it matters: the county’s withdrawal ends the joint governance arrangement created by the interlocal agreement and will require legal and operational steps to settle finances, assets and appointments. The council’s actions launch a locally run EDC planning process intended to replace the joint commission and to preserve Monroe’s economic development capacity.

The county’s stated effective withdrawal date is Nov. 4, 2026, but the county manager asked the city to consider an earlier formal dissolution. City staff were directed to study feasibility, coordinate legally with the county and keep current appointees informed while preparing a transition plan and inventory reconciliation.