Indianola has hired its next city clerk.
The Indianola Board of Aldermen voted Monday evening to override Mayor Ken Featherstone’s vetoing of a Feb. 24 motion to hire Stephanie Washington in that position.
The board had voted 4-1 during its last meeting to hire Washington, who has served as the city’s contracted financial consultant since late summer.
Featherstone told the board that night that he intended to veto the move, noting what he said had been Washington’s lack of commitment to the city.
“I feel as though Ms. Washington isn’t committed and that she was offered the job not once, not twice but three times, and she turned them down,” the mayor said.
He added that “other people may not have the skill, but they have the desire.”
Ward 3 Alderman Ruben Woods countered Featherstone’s concerns, stating that the mayor’s reasoning “doesn’t stand up.”
He referred to the mayor’s formal veto letter, which said, “Careful thought was given to the decision to cast my veto. As mayor, I have a duty to make certain that the best person is placed within such a critical position to help move the city forward.”
Woods said that he feels that Washington is the most suitable and qualified candidate.
The discussion continued with Ward 5 Alderman Sam Brock, who emphasized the urgency of filling the city clerk position due to financial matters.
“I think it's time for us to move forward in selecting a city clerk because we have financial business that needs to be taken care of by the city, and according to my understanding of her qualifications, she is better qualified to take care of some of those situations,” Brock said.
The same supermajority that voted to hire Washington in February stood firm and overrode the veto, with Ward 4 Alderman Marvin Elder abstaining this week.
Ward 2 Alderman Darrell Simpson made the motion to overturn the mayor’s veto, which was seconded by Ward 1 Alderman Gary Fratesi. Both reiterated their support for Washington, who is a Sunflower County native.
She previously worked as the county’s comptroller before moving to Adams County last year, where she has been serving as county administrator.
Following the successful override, Alderman Fratesi suggested setting Washington’s salary.
Fratesi made a motion to pay Washington $110,000 a year, significantly higher than previous clerks had been paid.
His reasoning being that over the past two years, between the clerk position and the contractors that were hired to support it, the city had been paying well over $110,000. He feels that Washington has the ability to do the job without the expensive support staff.
The motion was seconded by Simpson, and it passed on a 4-0 vote with Elder once again abstaining.
