(The Center Square) — Just weeks after Bossier City attorneys were accused of spending unapproved funds on business parking lots, the city council denied an ordinance to prevent unapproved spending by the Risk Management Office and the City Attorney’s Department.
At the beginning of April, the Bossier City Council began facing possible litigation after discovering that city attorneys Charles Jacobs and Richard Ray had spent a reported $250,000 on two business parking lots without the council’s approval.
The council attempted to introduce an ordinance on Tuesday requiring any payments over $75,000 from the Risk Management Office and City Attorney’s Department to be sent first to the council. Council members Chris Smith and Brian Hammons are responsible for the ordinance.
According to the ordinance fact sheet, Mayor Thomas Chandler and City Clerk Phyllis McGraw reviewed the ordinance, and the mayor denied it on April 17.
The mayor spoke up after the reading of the ordinance introduction, requesting the council postpone until he finishes his review of the policies.
His comments were met with unhappy responses as Hammons made clear, “This is a council meeting, not a mayor meeting.”
According to Hammons, the mayor sent an email requesting the council vote against the ordinance, which is what ended up happening.
“The city council does have an obligation to manage the budget and the finances of the city. I mean, we have to approve every person you hire, so why wouldn’t we approve when you spend $75,000?” said Councilmember Chris Smith.
The ordinance reads, “Questions have arisen over large sums of money being approved and expended by the City Attorney’s office for settlements or damage repairs.”
It also says that if any spending is subject to actual or possible litigation, it would be discussed in the executive session. However, formal action cannot be taken during the executive session.
The previous executive session held by the council sparked debate among residents as the alleged unapproved spending was discussed behind closed doors.
Wes Merriott, of Sobo.live, spoke to the council with concerns about the $75,000 threshold, and the mayor reportedly emailed, asking for the council to not vote for this.