Could Have Been Messer-ier

It turns out that adopting a new city charter isn’t as easy as a vote. The logistics take some time to figure out.

Pensacola City Council today discussed what city attorney Jim Messer referred to as one of several of the new charter’s “built-in conflicts.” The attorney’s appointment approval led to explorations of conflict-of-interests, as well as how much input council has on contract details.

“I think I know how this vote is going to come out, but I’m going to ask Mr. Messer,” said Councilwoman Megan Pratt, before inquiring if the attorney foresaw a comfortable existence representing both council and the mayor—who, at times, have differing interests or agendas.

“I would say you would have to reflect on the past seven or eight months,” Messer said, requesting the board reflect on the some-times rocky relationship.

Councilwoman Sheri Myers said that she could not support Messer’s permanent sign-up, due to the fact that the mayor would not be bringing on the attorney as a city employee, but rather hiring out his firm on a private basis. She said it was “probably a violation of the charter” to privative the position.

“I have to question the legality of it and the wisdom of it,” she said. “If you can privatize the city attorney position you could privatize the city administrator, the clerk and every city department head.”

Pratt also expressed concern that council had not gotten a look at the potential contract. Councilman Larry B. Johnson said that he would rather see a 3-year contract than the proposed 5-year deal.

Pensacola City Administrator Bill Reynolds, the mayor’s representative at the meeting, said that council members didn’t have a say in the contract specifics, only the approval or denial of the candidate. However, he said Mayor Ashton Hayward would be receptive to the board “recommending” the term-limit.

“Now, ultimately it’s the mayor that is going to make that determination,” Reynolds said, later adding, “Personal contracts are not approved by this body.”

Myers again protested privatizing the position, and Pratt said the position should be seen as “the attorney for the city, not for any elected officials.” The pair was joined by Councilwoman Mauren Deweese in opposing Messer’s approval. Council members Johnson, Brian Spencer, Ronald Townsend, President Sam Hall, P.C. Wu and John Jerralds voted in favor.