More conflict looms on League City's horizon

No word from Mayor Toni Randall on exactly what has happened, but this statement was released by League City Public Information Officer Kristi Wyatt.

"The mayor had a meeting with Chris Reed and Dick Gregg Jr. (Wednesday) afternoon. The discussion at this meeting was regarding personnel matters associated with the city administrator position. An agenda item will be placed on the Sept. 9 council meeting to address these personnel issues."

Reed said at press time that he had not seen the agenda item.

“(Randall) might have thought there were some staffing problems,” he said, adding that the staff members in question told him later that they had no problems.

“I don’t know if it’s a misunderstanding or what.”

Councilman Tim Paulissen said Randall became concerned after Reed presented a budget that was balanced using $3.2 million in reserve funds.

“So the mayor was not really happy with the information she was getting in reference to the budget, so she pulled the budget from Chris and gave it to Cynthia (Pearson), our finance director,” he said.

Reed said his own research shows that the city has used reserve funds to balance the budget for the last 12 years, and he pointed that out to Council during his budget presentation.

“I wanted to highlight that it’s just not a good practice, and we need to correct that practice,” he said.

Reed confirmed that Pearson now reports directly to Randall on budget issues, but said the finance director typically handles much of the budget process anyway.

“Finance prepares the budget,” he said. “I cut the budget.”

Councilman Tommy Cones said he believes Randall suggested a conflict between Reed and Pearson to justify asking Reed to resign.

“(Randall’s) just trying to find a way for Chris to be let go, but she doesn’t have the votes, I wouldn’t think, to let Chris go.” Cones said.

He said City Hall has become a “radical” place.

“She fired Pat (Hallisey), she fired Mary (Chambers), now she’s going after Chris. And she’s probably got a couple more in line.”

By city code, hiring or firing of the city administrator may only be done by the majority of Council.