Washington County Commissioners delivered a split vote on cancelling an economic development contract with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Commissioners Nick Sherman and Electra Janis voted to terminate a six year deal signed in 2023. The cost of the contract was $140,000 per year with escalators. One thing that both commissioners and the chamber agree on is, that there is a distinct lack of communication. Both Sherman and Chamber President Jeff Kotula say that neither side is reaching out to communicate. Sherman said that the chamber received the money and provided no services. Kotula says that $33 million in economic development was made in 2025. Commissioner Larry Maggi dissented saying that the chamber has delivered in each of the years since the original contract was signed in 1999. He says that government can create an environment for a good economy, the county should let business people do the actual economic development. Commissioner Electra Janis said that the contract is unnecessary and she prefers to cancel the contract instead of laying off county employees. According to the motion to terminate, The contract was cancelled because it is an invalid multi year contract, the chamber did not fulfill the requirements of the contract, and budgetary adjustments were needed for cost savings.