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