The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is pushing back against allegations made by the city council’s legal team that it has been operating outside the bounds of state law for years. During a special board meeting on Monday, AEDC leaders defended their longstanding practices and voted to engage outside legal counsel to provide an independent opinion and counter the city’s assertions. The decision marks the latest development in an ongoing legal and political battle between the city council and the economic development group.
The dispute began after the council’s inquiry into a controversial 2023 transfer of $750,000 in membership dues to The RANGE, a nonprofit organization that has been the subject of heated debate. City officials claimed that the transfer was unauthorized and potentially illegal, while the AEDC board argued that the move was approved in compliance with its policies. This disagreement has since escalated into broader scrutiny of the AEDC’s practices, culminating in accusations that the organization has been operating outside the scope of state law for over three decades.