Potential Shake-Up in Charlotte’s City Government as City Attorney Faces Dismissal

Charlotte’s City Government: Potential Shake-Up Ahead

In the lively city of Charlotte, big changes might be coming to the local government. A wave of discussions among the City Council members and Mayor Vi Lyles suggests that City Attorney Patrick Baker’s position could be on the chopping block. This buzz recently surfaced in a report that caught many by surprise.

The Inside Scoop

According to what we’ve learned, an overwhelming majority of the City Council and the Mayor voted earlier this month in a closed-door session, aiming to terminate Baker’s employment. Now, why all this fuss? Well, there’s a bit of history to unpack.

This spring, Baker found himself in hot water after he handed over a document to a local media outlet that he believed was a public record concerning the city’s transit plan. At the time, discussions were rife among city and local officials about revamping this very plan, but they had yet to let the details out into the open. It seems that the decision to release this document may have rubbed some council members the wrong way.

What’s the Big Deal?

It’s not uncommon for city leaders to feel uneasy about releasing public records, especially when they’re still discussing sensitive topics. After weeks of delays from the city, Baker finally complied with state law by sending over the requested document. Interestingly, during his performance review, some council members suggested that Baker had “leaked” the document, which is a serious accusation.

However, the discontent brewing against Baker likely stems from more than just this incident. While personnel matters usually stay wrapped up in confidentiality, there are whispers that some council members believe Baker interprets state laws too stringently, leaving them without necessary flexibility while handling legal matters.

A Long-Standing Career

Baker has been Charlotte’s City Attorney since 2019 and has quite the background, with 22 years working in various roles in Durham. Leading a legal team of 44, he’s tasked with navigating the intricate waters of city law. Along with the City Manager and City Clerk, he holds a prominent position amongst city employees. Funny enough, he’s also the president-elect of the Rotary Club of Charlotte — the oldest and largest of its kind in the city!

Interestingly, Baker tends to keep a lower profile during City Council meetings, stepping out only when called to mediate procedural hiccups or address sensitive matters like ethics investigations involving council members. His straightforward nature can sometimes ruffle feathers among those who prefer to speak in less direct terms.

What Lies Ahead?

Memorably, Baker ranks as one of the highest-paid city employees with a salary topping $291,000. Notably, there’s a memo indicating Baker’s option to retire voluntarily by June 2025, or allow a council vote to dismiss him, potentially pocketing a lump sum payment as described in his employment contract. It seems the city is preparing to engage the Parker Poe law firm to negotiate his exit, making this situation even more intriguing.

City Council Meeting Minutes: Catching Up

In other news, the City Council is expected to approve minutes from past meetings later today, addressing delays that had become a bit of a headache. The city had fallen significantly behind in producing these records, now sitting at just a 22-month lag. Although the failure to produce timely minutes isn’t illegal since they provide video access to meetings, this delay has not gone unnoticed and has led to frustration among residents eager for the latest updates from their local government.

The city deployed these delays to staffing issues within the city clerk’s office, and while discussions to resolve these problems continue, it’s fair to say folks are just hoping for a little more transparency in the process.

Looking Forward

Charlotte continues to evolve, and with potential changes on the horizon for its legal leadership, along with a fresh push towards transparency, it’s an exciting time to be a part of the community. As residents, we’re encouraged to stay informed and engaged as these developments unfold.

Keep an eye out for more updates as they come in — Charlotte has plenty more stories to tell!