Mayor, City Council at Odds Over Clerk

By Ann Weaver, The Daily Oklahoman

Apr. 1–NICOMA PARK — Mayor Bud Green said he made an executive decision to move the court clerk from the police department, even though the city council opposed it.

The court clerk’s office was moved earlier this week from 2301 Nichols Drive to the new city hall building across the street.

The political battle over whether the clerk should be moved has been ongoing for about two months. At a February meeting, Green said he proposed it to the city council for discussion only, but never intended to get their consent.

At the next meeting, Councilman Kevin Loudermilk placed an item on the agenda to vote on the move and the council voted it down.

Loudermilk said the council also was opposed to Green spending any money for the move.

“I don’t think he’s trying to punish the police department, but he’s definitely exerting his authority,” Loudermilk said. “It’s an issue that is going to be a topic of controversy at our next meeting and probably for a long time afterwards.”

The council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in city hall.

Green said the city’s auditor recommended that the court clerk’s office be moved to city hall to ensure tighter financial control and prevent ticket fixing.

Green wasn’t accusing anyone of fixing tickets, but wanted to prevent problems that could arise, he said.

City Attorney Robert Thompson said the city charter gives Green the authority to make personnel decisions without city council approval.

The mayor didn’t violate any laws, although Loudermilk said he believes Green didn’t act in the best interest of the city or his relationship with other council members.

He said the absence of the court clerk from the police department will require the department be locked when officers are on call or patrolling. He said the two officers on duty relied on the court clerk to answer the telephone and help the public when they are out.

It also will be inconvenient for officers not to have municipal court records at their fingertips, he said.

Green said neither the police nor residents are expected to suffer.

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