Questions raised about hiring process and contract drafting for Howe city administrator

Mayor McDonald told the council she learned the draft employment contract for the city administrator originated with the administrator and later received minor edits from the city attorney. "Although the city attorney subsequently made several minor revisions, the contract originated with mister Walker," McDonald said.

She said Walker remained present during executive-session discussion of the contract terms and argued that his continuous presence while negotiations occurred created an appearance-of-conflict because he stood to benefit financially from the agreement. McDonald asked the council to explain who prepared the draft and why it was placed on the public agenda without prior legal review by the city attorney.

Council members and commenters disputed aspects of McDonald’s account. Mark Merrill, a former mayor who spoke in public comment, criticized Walker’s hiring process in another municipality and raised questions about how interviews and selections were handled. The council voted in open session on personnel items, including removal of disciplinary reports, but the contract drafting and negotiation questions were raised as matters for further review or audit.