Lame Duck Rules Up for Vote Tuesday

Among items up for votes at Tuesday's regular City Council meeting is an ordinance that would prevent "lame duck" municipal officials from spending public money on events, ceremonies, seminars and the like.

Municipal officials usually attend the annual League of Municipalities convention and some have taken part in the annual "Walk to Washington" train ride, the Black Issues Conference, National Forum for Black Administrators  and other events. The council has a budget line from which members may be compensated for attending such events.

The new ordinance would disallow spending of public money on such events for any official who loses a general election or for any official who submits a notice in writing that he or she is not seeking re-election.The measure would have to pass on two readings and would take effect 20 days after final passage, barring a successful veto by the mayor, who is also currently eligible for compensation for attending such events.

For the general election in 2012, incumbents Annie McWilliams and Adrian Mapp would be affected. McWilliams is completing her four-year term in the citywide at-large seat and Mapp is doing the same in the Third Ward seat. The 2012 election schedule calls for candidates to declare their intention to run by April 2 for the June 5 primary. If either declares and wins the primary but fails to win the Nov. 6 general election, any public expense for events from then on would be disallowed, but individuals could attend events at their own expense.

If either declines to file for re-election in April and advises the city clerk in writing of intention not to seek re-election, the time period from then until Dec. 31 would be subject to the new rules.

Next year, the mayor and Fourth Ward Councilwoman Bridget Rivers are up for re-election, followed in 2014 by First Ward Councilman William Reid and Second and Third Wards at-large Councilwoman Rebecca Williams. In 2015, Second Ward Councilman Cory Storch and First and Fourth Wards at-large Councilwoman Vera Greaves would be affected.

--Bernice