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Freeport council divides on a letter of support for the Walton economic development alliance
Summary
Council members debated whether to issue a letter supporting the Walton Economic Development Alliance’s public–private model after the county signaled plans to bring economic development in-house. Proponents praised recent grant wins; opponents worried about ROI for Freeport and overstepping the city's role. The motion to issue a letter was defeated in the meeting.
Council members spent a lengthy portion of the Aug. 12 meeting debating whether to issue a letter of support for the Walton Economic Development Alliance, a regional public–private economic development partnership that staff and an outside speaker characterized as bringing private‑sector investment and monthly collaboration among governments.
Ryan Matthews, who represented the alliance, urged the council to consider a letter supporting the alliance’s continued public–private structure after he said the county had signaled an intention to move economic development functions back in‑house. “We’ve had solid partnership between governments and private sector; we ask you to support a form of collaboration that retains that platform,” Matthews said.
Council supporters pointed to the alliance’s role in securing a state DIG infrastructure grant for a local intersection, while others pushed back that a city letter urging or criticizing how the county spends its funds would be an overreach and could signal a financial commitment. “I can’t, in good conscience, go with any type of letter encouraging any other government to do this or not to do this,” one council member said.
A motion to issue a letter of support was proposed and seconded and then debated; after discussion the transcript records that the motion was defeated. Councilmembers who supported the idea asked staff to continue engagement with the alliance and monitor county actions; opponents emphasized that any future formal support should be carefully worded to avoid obligating city funds or directing county policy.
The exchange underscored differing council views about the best local approach to economic development governance and whether the city should publicly favor a county‑level organizational model.
