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Washington County commissioners debate ending MOU with Economic Development Council; call for workshop instead of immediate action
Summary
After hours of public comment and an extended board discussion, commissioners directed staff to convene a leadership meeting to redesign the county–EDC relationship and urged no hasty personnel moves; EDC leaders warned that cutting funding or dissolving the MOU immediately would disrupt ongoing projects.
The Washington County Board of County Commissioners spent the bulk of its meeting debating whether to terminate a memorandum of understanding that governs the county’s relationship with the Washington County Economic Development Council (EDC).
County Administrator (speaker 20) recommended dissolving the existing MOU and bringing the county’s economic development director onto county payroll and benefit plans, saying the current arrangement — where the EDC operates under the Chamber of Commerce and the county funds the position — lacks sufficient county oversight. The administrator said moving the director onto county staff would improve accountability and allow the county to “make the investment” necessary to recruit and retain talent.
Tracy Andrews, chair of the EDC (speaker 25),…
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