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Amarillo confirms four AEDC board members after heated public criticism of chair’s conduct
Summary
Council confirmed four Amarillo Economic Development Corporation nominees — including Alex Fairley for a one‑year term — after public allegations about undisclosed payments and influence; several residents urged delay until after elections and audits.
The Amarillo City Council voted to fill vacant seats on the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) board, confirming Dean Crump (three‑year term), Elliot McKenna (three‑year), Alex Fairley (one‑year) and Randy Burkett (one‑year) after extended public comment about governance and donor influence.
Public speakers accused AEDC leadership and a prominent donor, Alex Fairley, of political contributions and possible undue influence. Kevin Nelson told council he believed Fairley’s firm received commission payments tied to a prior Hodgegtown project and said Fairley failed to disclose that arrangement while advocating for budget increases; Nelson called for Fairley’s immediate removal from the AEDC. Mike Ford and others alleged missing public records connected to a $750,000 transfer and questioned whether required public meetings and votes took place for certain projects.
Defenders of the AEDC and of potential appointments urged the council not to delay business. Laura Street, who has worked with AEDC initiatives, said no criminal wrongdoing had been found and urged measured evaluation: “No one took money from the city or the AEDC,” she said; the transcript records a subsequent confirmation that a $750,000 wire transfer had been confirmed to an entity.
Council moved forward with nominations after a discussion about timing and oversight. Some nominations initially failed because of abstentions; subsequent votes confirmed the four members. The council discussed swearing‑in dates and the AEDC’s schedule to issue an RFP for a search firm to recruit a new executive director. Council also approved a revised set of AEDC policies and procedures, including budget controls and updated credit‑card/reimbursement language.
What’s next: The new AEDC members are expected to be sworn in at the board meeting on May 13; the council and staff plan to proceed with an RFP for a search firm and to provide additional oversight and documentation requested by speakers.
Vote details and actions from the meeting were recorded on the public record; council instructions emphasized follow‑up and transparency.
