Mayor, Council Battle Lines

If there was a honeymoon period between Mayor Friday Ellis and members of the Monroe City Council before they began to butt heads, it was a brief one. At Tuesday night's September 10, 2024 regular council meeting, the issue of vetoes and repeals took center stage as two ordinances were introduced. One ordinance sought to repeal Ordinance No. 12,225, which relates to purchasing and bidding procedures, and the other was Ordinance No. 12,220, which concerns the special tax election.

District 4 Councilman Rodney McFarland and District 5 Councilman Verbon Muhammad have been outspoken about the changes in the bidding process under Mayor Ellis. The mayor now has the authority to award bid contracts up to $250,000, a significant increase from the previous limit of $30,000. Councilman McFarland, who sponsored the ordinance, stated that he did not want to give the mayor a blank check to award bids as he sees fit. When asked by a speaker at the podium what had changed between the time the ordinance became law and why it should now be repealed, McFarland explained that the concern was the increase in the amount of money the mayor could control.

When questioned again about the reason for the repeal, McFarland asserted that it was his prerogative as a councilman to take that action, describing it as a check and balance measure on the mayor’s power. He further stated that the $250,000 limit had to be brought back down.

Mayor Ellis defended his decision by invoking his veto prerogative but acknowledged that he understands the checks and balances in place. McFarland later emphasized that the council would do what it has to do. He also took the opportunity, saying the mayor opened the door, to discuss his recent attempts to meet with Ellis, claiming that the mayor appears unwilling to speak with him.

In other business before the council, Councilman Muhammad introduced an ordinance amending Section 36-23 of the Monroe City Code, addressing concerns about the automatic water rates imposed on consumers to cover the cost of the new water plant.