The mayor called upon the police chief to help restore order when bickering broke out among the Texarkana, Ark., Board of Directors before a routine vote during a regular meeting Monday.
Ward 2 Director Laney Harris took exception when Mayor Ruth Penney-Bell mentioned he had not attended a workshop meeting on the city's latest financial audit, which the board was about to vote to approve. Harris raised his voice and spoke first against Penney-Bell and then Ward 1 Director Linda Teeters when she responded. Penney-Bell called upon Police Chief Robert Harrison, who left his seat in the audience and approached the board room podium.
Calm returned shortly thereafter, and the board voted unanimously to approve the audit. Conducted by the accounting firm BKD, the audit found "no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies" in the city's financial reporting for 2017, and that it complies fully with state law.
Harris was the only board member with questions about the audit for Finance Director TyRhonda Henderson, as the other members had met for a workshop session about it just before the board meeting.
Harris regularly chooses not to attend workshops, informal meetings of city officials focused on specific topics.
"Director Harris, these are things that we worked on," Penney-Bell began to say when Harris asked questions regarding pension contributions. Harris interrupted her.
"I knew that's the first thing you'd say. No, I did not attend the workshop. I had some things I had to do, and I didn't want to attend it," Harris said.
"You didn't want to attend. I appreciate you saying that," Teeters said.
"That's enough!" Penney-Bell said as Harris attempted to talk over her. "That's enough. Chief."
"Oh, now you're going to try to walk me out of the building," Harris said as Harrison approached the podium.
"I have the right," Penney-Bell said.
"You need to control her, stop trying to control me," Harris said about Teeters, and asked Harrison if he was going to escort Harris out of the meeting.
"No, I'm not. But if the mayor tells you she wants to restore order," Harrison said before Harris interrupted him to continue, saying Teeters was out of line.
Penney-Bell was then able to regain control of the meeting.
"Director Harris, if you have one more question with our finance director, please do it now. We took one hour (in the workshop) to do this, and we would have liked for you to meet with us," she said, adding to Henderson, "If you'll answer his question, then we will continue with our meeting. Thank you, chief."
After the meeting, Penney-Bell said that police officers are at every board meeting at her request not because she anticipates any arrests but because it is her responsibility to maintain order.
"I know it's a difficult position to put the chief in, but I wouldn't hesitate to have someone escorted out" if they will not stop talking when asked to, she said. "My main focus is just to keep order. I'm not out to get him."
In June, Harris filed a lawsuit against Penney-Bell and the members of the board seeking a court order declaring the board's June 2017 censure of Harris "null and void."
In other business, the board voted to approve contracts for street work, sewage system improvements and water treatment chemicals. Directors also voted to apply for a $300,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism to fund work at Ermer Dansby Pondexter Sports Complex.
If the city gets the grant, improvements at the park would include demolishing the existing playground equipment and installing two new playground systems, constructing two canopy-style shade covers over the existing concrete bleachers, installing a security system with cameras and adding picnic tables with umbrellas on the hill.
The board's next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20.
On Twitter: @RealKarlRichter