Possible Monroe Mayor/City Council Power Dispute?

MONROE -  It was a story that NBC 10 News first brought you back on March 3rd, with Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo having some strong things to say about the city council.

"It appears that they're not satisfied with the role and responsibilities and the power set by the charter. They're wanting more," Mayo said during that interview.

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says some members of the city council want more power.

Mayo says some of their budget ideas violate city charter.

They're issues like setting term limits for elected officials, which will appear on the November ballot, and what to do about hiring a new part-time or full-time city engineer with the vacancy left by the indicted Sinyale Morrison.

At Monday night's fourth budget hearing, Mayor Mayo echoed the importance of sticking to the charter.

"It is my job to make sure that we stay within those boundaries and, of course, when they're crossed, then I bring them up because that's the way it should be," said Mayo.

But the city council responded, saying that they believe they're acting in the best interests of the community.

In fact, Council Chairman Eddie Clark says Mayo's words surprise him.

"I just heard about that today and I was taken aback because we're here to serve the community," he said. "We're representing our constituents."

When NBC 10 News asked both Mayor Mayo and Council Chairman Clark if these possible power disagreements could be resolved, both sides reiterated their points.

"There will always be things to work out but in order to work together and understand that, we can move forward, but when there is disagreement as relates to what's spelled out in the charter, then obviously I'm going to speak up," said Mayo.

"There's no need to address that from our standpoint," Clark said. "I would just ask that the council continue to represent those who elected us in office and do the right thing. As long as we do the right thing, the people of the City of Monroe will be happy and that's all I have to say on that."

NBC 10 News has repeatedly asked Monroe City Council members like Betty Blakes and Kenneth Wilson to talk to us about the issue, both refused.

A proposed city budget will be introduced at the council's meeting on March 26th.

Final adoption of the city budget must come by April 9th.

You can find the link to the March 3rd story here: http://myarklamiss.com/fulltext?nxd_id=194472