In the agenda packet for the Pensacola City Council’s Committee of the Whole there is a discussion item asking for all executed contracts over $25,000 to be reported to the City Council. The item is being brought forth by At-Large Council member Megan Pratt.
According to her memo, she is doing this to enhance the city council’s ability to carry out its “fiduciary responsibilities to maintain oversight over the City budget and appropriations and the right to make responsible inquiries of the administration.”
This is an interesting discussion item considering the upcoming special workshop called by the council president for Wednesday. The agenda of that workshop isn’t available online on the city website, but according to emails we received, the workshop topics are the scope of the recently executed disparity study, the charter, the council hiring its own attorney and staff, a review of the powers & duties of the council president and the council’s rules and procedures.
It appears things are moving too smoothly and the council wants to exert more control —which could lead to possible charter and power issues in the near future.
Six months of success is too much for Pensacola. While some feelings may be hurt on the council, the public is happy with the progress the city has made since January. Efforts to stall, slow down or derail progress won’t be well received.
Meanwhile, the melodrama could be fun to watch….sort like a overly long, dysfunctional board meeting of a bad non-profit…or a Pensacola version of “Jersey Shore.”