I’ve heard conflicting opinions about Black Diamond City Council meetings. Lots of them.

So I’ve checked out some of them myself. I called the best authorities and I read the law.

The City Council definitely has the contracting authority for our city (and cities in general). Regardless of the law, Mayor (Carol) Benson has spent our money on contracts without approval from the council!

The Mayor paid one law firm since June of 2016 in direct conflict with the council’s vote. In fact, the City Council voted three times against this firm (they voted for other firms).

The mayor was given limited contracting authority a few years ago to handle emergencies, allowing her to spend a maximum of $15,000 for a budgeted item. Any more than that, and the Council approval is required. But for the past two years she has been signing small contracts over and over again in order to bypass the council, and the people. This is plainly wrong.

My opinion is that at this time we have a mayor acting in an autocratic manner, and is working against the public’s interest.

Mike Primm

Black Diamond