Back in September, the Warrenton Board of Aldermen voted not to renew its membership with the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council, or EDC, but today it is back with the organization.The board unanimously voted to rejoin the EDC after a brief discussion about how the city can benefit when the entire region is doing better.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.Alderman Gary Auch, Ward 2, said it was time to create a stronger relationship with the EDC than there was previously.Alderman Mike Shilharvey, Ward 1, talked about a segment that aired on “60 Minutes” about a region in Mississippi, the Golden Triangle, whereby neighboring counties worked together to benefit each other’s residents and economic development, rather than looking at the other as competition.Alderman John Miller, Ward 3, said if people watched the program, the EDC partnership would become clearer.Mayor Eric Schleuter said people would like to see the city’s interests protected; they feel like the city is not getting back what it spends in the $10,000 membership fee.Auch said the value may be intangible. He said the city can benefit by sharing information and being part of the process.This past September, 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.Miller, Shilharvey and Scott Schultz, Ward 2, had voted to renew membership.Auch, Karen Casserly, Ward 1, and Bob Delaloye, Ward 3, had voted not to renew membership.Those who had wanted to end the membership had various reasons, including not enough representation for retail businesses, not enough support for Warrenton and existing tension between the city and organization.City of Warrenton