Mayor Breaks Tie in Vote to Amend City Administration Procedures

A bill taking out a provision of Branson City Statutes that had not been routinely followed leads to a split vote at Tuesday's Branson Board of Aldermen Meeting. 

Aldermen Ruth Denham and Alex Williams sponsored the bill with Clay Cooper also voting in favor of removing the provision requiring the City Administrator to get board approval for hiring City Directors. It was noted during the discussion that this provision has been a part of city law for many years though current City Administrator Cathy Stepp as well as past administrators had not been going by that policy. 

Alderman Williams in introducing the bill said taking the policy out allows the city to align with state law. He added that the City Administrator should by allowed to put the staff in place she wants to operate the city and that they board does have the ability to hire or fire an administrator if they have issues. 

Aldermen Ashely Harkness, Artie Lucas, and Glenn Schulz voted to keep the provision in with Mayor Larry Milton casting the tie breaking vote to remove the provision on first reading. 

The bill will be up for final approval at the September 8 meeting.