FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) – The Flint City Council was required to elect officers on Monday night, November 11, per city charter, but as of 10:30 p.m. that had not yet happened.

Monday night’s meeting comes just two weeks after the deadline to fill the 3rd District seat, previously held by the late Councilman Quincy Murphy.

It is nothing new for the city council; Each year on the second Monday in November, elected committee chair positions expire. The only caveat this year is that the city council seat in the 3rd district is already vacant, making voting for a new president much more difficult.

“We still have work to complete and I hope we don’t get stuck,” Councilwoman Tonya Burns said.

The council was stuck in a stalemate Monday night as the city council could not agree on who would be chosen as the next council president.

Dozens after dozens of rounds, four votes went to Candice Mushatt as the next president, the other four to newcomer Jonathan Jarrett.

“On this council, we need someone who can bring it together and not divide us further,” Burns said.

Deadlocked on their decisions, Burns said selecting the right person could turn things around for the city council and get them back on the same page.

“It’s time we start treating this council as a body of nine and not five. Every district has representation and every district should have representation on this city council,” Burns said.

The Flint City Council attempted to appoint a person to the 3rd District seat a month ago, but that Oct. 14 meeting was cut short after violence broke out in the council chambers.

“It’s time for new leadership so everyone feels welcome, everyone feels safe, so we can focus on economic development. Focus on moving the city forward together,” Burns said.

But taking that first step forward will be a challenge.

As of 10:30 p.m., the city council had passed 100 rounds of voting and no council president had been selected.

The second step is to select a vice president and then committee chairs and, last but not least, address city business and discuss resolutions, none of which can happen until the new council leadership is decided. .

“Where will the council go? Can we recover civility? It might be a long night,” Burns said.

Subscribe to TV5 Bulletin and get the latest local news and weather delivered straight to your inbox every day.

Copyright 2024 WNEM. All rights reserved.