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Residents and council press for clarity after mayor pro tem title omitted from Harrisburg website
Summary
Multiple residents and council members raised concerns that the mayor pro tem title for Dr. Banks does not appear on the town website or dais nameplate; council debated whether the mayor or the full council controls signage and asked staff to provide statutory guidance.
Several residents used public comment time to press the Town of Harrisburg council to restore or clarify display of the mayor pro tem title for Dr. Banks on the town website and the dais nameplate.
Rosa Culver Sims told the council the town’s past practice had been to identify the mayor pro tem on the dais and on the website after the council’s unanimous appointment in January, and she asked that the omission be corrected. Justin Lutter, chair of the Black Political Caucus of Cabarrus County, said the caucus endorsed Dr. Banks and will watch how the council treats the mayor pro tem.
Council members responded with differing accounts. Some said the mayor pro tem is a situational, non-elected, ceremonial role that only performs duties in the mayor’s absence and that the mayor controls dais nameplates and website presentation as part of presiding responsibilities. Others cited North Carolina statutes, the Harrisburg charter and the council’s rules of procedure in saying decisions must be collective and asked staff to provide legal citations and written guidance. Town staff said they will send council the relevant statutory references and clarify the administrative practice for names on the dais and the website.
No formal policy change was approved at the meeting; council asked staff to return with a written explanation of statutory authority and any recommended procedural language for council consideration.
