Posted in Pensacola

Tampa weighs in on who approves lawsuit settlements

   September 26, 2016

Tampa’s City Attorney Julia Mandell responded to the newspaper’s inquiry about its strong mayor’s power to settle lawsuits against the City of Tampa. She said the mayor cannot spend any money without council approval. Contracts go to city council for approval.

Mayor cannot settle a lawsuit or claim over $10,000 without city council approval. The City Attorney has to bring anything over $25,000 to city council for approval and sign off by mayor.

When asked if it mattered if it was the mayor’s top administrator who sued, Mandell said, “It does not make a difference who the individual is who files a lawsuit.”

Scorecard: Can strong mayor settle a lawsuit without council approval?

Yes: 1 – Pensacola

No: 5 – Apopka, West Palm Beach, Freeport, Plantation, Tampa

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