The political landscape in Monroe took a contentious turn Tuesday night as the city council, led by its Black majority, reignited a battle with Mayor Friday Ellis over his authority to negotiate sizeable contracts without oversight.
In a tense meeting, council members reintroduced two previously vetoed ordinances, one of which, was aimed at curbing the mayor’s power to sign contracts up to $250,000 without council approval or disclosure. Mayor Ellis, standing firm, vowed to continue vetoing such measures.
“It is the council’s prerogative to keep trying to force the mayor to comply with council wishes,” said Rev. McFarland, a prominent voice among the council’s Black members. “And it is my prerogative to keep vetoing council ordinances,” Mayor Ellis countered.
The conflict, which has been brewing for months, is increasingly…
