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Residents and council members press mayor to explain omission of 'mayor pro tem' label for Councilwoman Banks
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Summary
Public commenters and several council members raised concerns that Councilwoman Banks (mayor pro tem) is not listed as mayor pro tem on the dais or the town website; Mayor Teague said the omission was to avoid public confusion and that website updates are in progress, but the disagreement prompted requests for a formal council discussion or legal review.
Multiple public commenters and council members raised a dispute over whether the council should display the mayor pro tem title for Councilwoman Banks on the dais and on the town website. Resident Rosa Sims and Justin Lueder (chair of the Cabarrus County Black Political Caucus) said Dr. Banks was unanimously voted mayor pro tem by the council and asked why that office is not reflected visually on the dais or on the municipal website.
In public comment, Justin Lueder said the omission raises questions about transparency and fair treatment and asked the mayor to explain the deviation from customary practice. Several council members later reiterated statutory citations during council comment, noting provisions in the North Carolina General Statutes and the town charter about council operations and the role of the mayor pro tem.
Mayor Teague responded that her decision to avoid a separate nameplate or a visible hierarchy on the dais was intended to prevent public confusion about rank and to underscore the council’s collaborative structure. She said website edits are underway and that the online profile for Councilwoman Banks will indicate the appointment once the website changes are complete.
Council members who objected said the matter has been a recurring public concern since January and asked for either a formal council action or legal guidance. One council member cited specific North Carolina statutes and the town charter in arguing that the designation and public record should be updated; Mayor Teague maintained the choice was hers in how to present situational roles and said she had communicated her reasoning to Councilwoman Banks directly.
No formal resolution or vote was taken on the dais at this meeting; council members requested further discussion and, if necessary, legal clarification from town counsel.
