CLAYTON — The ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ County Council on Tuesday scrapped an idea that could have allowed it to remove the county executive from office, and instead passed a measure that would only give it the power to fire department heads.
The council needs voter approval before it can take power to remove department heads, who manage divisions such as health, streets, corrections and finance. The county executive appoints and manages department heads, but with the power to fire them, the council would have more influence over road money, budget decisions and more.
The council would also have the power to remove the county's top attorney.
Council Chair Rita Heard Days, a Democrat from North County, said councilmembers need to have that power. They've been "forced to deal with chronic stonewalling" under County Executive Sam Page's administration, Days said. Some department leaders have withheld information the council needs to make important decisions, she added.
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"There is no place for this level of disregard in county government, and it cannot continue unchecked," Days said.
But Democratic Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, of Maplewood, said she thought the step was an overreach.
"Our department directors are ultimately public servants just like we are," Clancy said. The measure would put them "in the crosshairs" of a conflict between the council and the county executive, she said.
Six councilmembers voted for the bill, with only Clancy voting no.
If voters approve the measure, the council could remove directors with five of seven votes.
Page will veto the measure, said Doug Moore, a spokesman for Page. Councilman Dennis Hancock, a Republican from Fenton, said the county executive can’t veto a ballot measure passed by the council. County election officers didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment late Tuesday.
The measure is expected to appear before voters on the April 8 ballot.
The council originally considered a bill that would have allowed it to remove the county executive from office, but Days decided to remove that proposal from the bill passed Tuesday. She also removed a phrase that would have allowed the council to fire department heads "with or without cause."
The council will need cause to fire a director, Days said Wednesday, and the person will have the opportunity to submit a written response or appeal to the council in-person before being removed.
Councilwoman Shalonda Webb speaks at a county council meeting on Dec. 10, 2024. Video courtesy of ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ County, edited by Jenna Jones.
