WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Council Wants Interim Directors Confirmed

Council Wants Interim Directors Confirmed

By Roslyn Anderson
roslyn@wlbt.net

The city council has passed a resolution to force the mayor to bring his department heads before the body for confirmation.

A number of city agencies lack permanent directors.

Ward Seven Councilperson Margaret Barrett Simon is one of four Jackson city representatives to vote in favor of the resolution.

Some interim department directors have been in their positions for months, and in the case of the fire department, for over a year and a half.  

Barrett Simon said, "We're not gonna roll over on these issues any more."

Jackson city leaders have thrown down the gauntlet, confirm interim directors or possibly go to court.

Council President Ben Allen said the non binding resolution gives Mayor Frank Melton an ultimatum.

Allen said, "What this resolution was, was just a friendly legislative reminder that the majority of the council within 120 days wishes to confirm all department heads."

There are no permanent directors for four departments, Rick Hill in Finance, Todd Chandler in the fire department, Charles Melvin over Parks and Recreation and a vacancy in Planning and Development.

The council president says Ramie Ford's recent appointment as director of the newly created Neighborhood Enhancement Department also violates state law.

He says the council is charged with establishing city departments.

Allen added, "In this case we've done it backwards. He's established a department. He's brought that department to us to approve it. We've got it in committee to see if we're gonna even authorize that department or not."

The ball is now in the mayor's court, and it's up to the administration to bring the appointees before the city council.

Jackson Chief Administrative Officer Robert Walker said,  "I don't expect to see any deviation from what the nor is as it relates to executing authority."  

Walker said despite the resolution, it's the mayor's responsibility to decide when he will present directors for confirmation.

He maintains that the city is moving forward.

Walker added, "It has not affected how we operate. We're still doing our jobs and the staff here is doing a whole lot of work. We've accomplished a whole lot since we took office."

But some city leaders disagree.

Ward Two Councilman Dr. Les McLemore said, "This is so distracting. Let's go to court. Lets go as far as we need to go."

The council president will give the mayor up to four weeks to correspond on the resolution before placing the order on the agenda.