Council tables Lawton Housing Authority $86,000 request, suspends payments pending legal review

Housing and Community Development Administrator Robert Burns reported that the Lawton Housing Authority has requested $86,000 for services covering January through June 2024, but that staff found no executed agreement authorizing that claim for the period in question. Burns said city records show payments to the housing authority in other windows but no contract covering the disputed months and identified total prior payments of approximately $174,222 that lacked an agreement during an earlier review period.

Council members asked whether the matter had been reviewed by the city attorney. Staff said the city attorney had been contacted but was temporarily unavailable; staff noted the possibility of drafting a backdated agreement but warned of political sensitivity after a recent backdating discussion. Council moved to table the matter, directed that no further payments be made until legal review, and requested the city attorney examine trust indentures and related documents to clarify the housing authority's statutory relationship.

Council also noted the housing authority has new leadership; staff identified Anna Richardson as the executive director who had responded to staff inquiries. The motion to table and suspend further payments was seconded and carried; council sent the item for legal review and follow-up reporting.

Next steps: legal staff to advise on whether a back-dated or new agreement is appropriate, and staff will report back to council; payments will be paused until legal counsel provides direction.