Mayor and council clash over city charter language ahead of deadline

At a lengthy work session debate on the city charter, Mayor Lesie McFersonen told council she wants clearer language that explicitly includes the mayor in both the hiring and the dismissal processes for a city manager. "I wanted the clarification of mayor, not just mayor and counsel," she said, arguing some charter sections treat mayor and council differently.

Several council members pushed back that the mayor had not provided specific language and urged her to deliver a redlined proposal by the next council meeting. Councilman Warmouth and others framed the disagreement as procedural and legal, and raised concerns about the potential fiscal and reputational effects of public accusations that have been circulated by email. One council member said the unresolved language had already stalled other city business and urged a written proposal for Tuesday so the council could vote and provide clear direction to state legislators if needed.

City attorneys reported the current operative charter language stems from a 2024 amendment enacted by the General Assembly and that any local change would require coordinated state action; staff urged a prompt written proposal the council could consider. Council members also noted the political and legal sensitivity of prior allegations that some have publicly circulated in e‑mail blasts and said their priority is to avoid costly litigation against the city.

No vote was taken; the mayor agreed to try to provide written suggested text for council and staff review. Several council members emphasized the timeline is short because of the legislative session and asked for a tangible redline to consider at the next meeting.