Warrenton is no longer part of the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council (EDC).Mayor Eric Schleuter cast the deciding vote after the six-member board of aldermen came up with a split decision on whether to renew or end the city’s membership with the EDC.The EDC executive committee said it’s disappointed with the decision.“We believe that our area is best served by the communities in Warren County working together in this effort,” a statement read. “We will continue pursuing our important mission and hope to have Warrenton rejoin the team.”The EDC, which is a public-private partnership, aims to spur economic growth throughout Warren County. Members include business owners, elected officials, city staff and others who specialize in business and public planning.Aldermen Gary Auch, Ward 2, and Karen Casserly, Ward 1, spoke against renewing the city’s membership. Aldermen John Miller, Ward 3, and Mike Shilharvey, Ward 1, spoke in favor.Auch said the organization, among other things, seems to favor industry over retail, and doesn’t do enough for all of Warrenton’s business interests.“It represents less than 30 of the 220 businesses we have,” Auch said. “And we’re the second-highest funder for the organization.”He added that there has been tension between the city and the EDC for a long time.Casserly said the EDC did not support the city when it took the ballot issue for the overpass to voters — something she thought was counterintuitive to economic development.“I have a hard time supporting an organization that doesn’t see what 65 percent of residents felt was a good thing for the area,” she said.The EDC committee said it did not take a position on the ballot issue. Rather, before there was a ballot issue, and being a regional organization, there were conversations, specifically in an email from member Steve Etcher, regarding transportation funding, where members had mentioned roadway alternatives that could benefit the county.The EDC’s statement said it’s not its “intent to get involved with local political matters.”Miller said a vote to renew the membership in the EDC is a vote for progress.Shilharvey said the EDC has helped bring good paying jobs to the area, like those created by CertainTeed.Since 2012, the organization has helped bring more than over 300 new jobs to the area and prevented over 80 existing jobs from moving to other regions. Those businesses include EPC, CertainTeed, SAF Holland and Ameriwood.The board voted 3-3. Miller, Scott Schultz, Ward 2, and Shilharvey voted to renew membership. Auch, Casserly and Bob Delaloye, Ward 3, voted to not to renew membership.The mayor, who would cast the deciding vote to end the relationship, took time to explain his decision.“Regardless of what you believe or don’t believe, they did not help the city when we needed them (during the vote for the bond issues). That was very disheartening to me. It was frustrating to me. I know the argument is you can’t base things off one time, but that was a large, important issue for us,” he said.“I will also say, something that also doesn’t sit well with me is the treatment of a board member we have on that board.”City of Warrenton