Mayor’s veto of city administrator’s pay cut stands

MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) - An east Mississippi city’s chief administrator will get paid after all.

The Meridian Star reports three members of the five-member Meridian City Council voted to override Mayor Percy Bland’s veto to cut Chief Administrative Officer Richie McAlister’s salary to zero. That’s one less than the four needed for an override.

McAlister was hired as chief administrative officer in December 2015 after serving as Bland’s assistant for 2½ years. McAlister is paid $36.06 per hour, for an annual salary of $75,000.

Councilman Weston Lindemann pushed the move saying McAlister’s management style is a problem, pointing to lawsuits by two former department heads. Councilwoman Kim Houston cites unhappy city employees and low morale.

But Bland’s council supporters say the mayor decides who to hire and fire, criticizing Lindemann’s actions as too personal.

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Information from: The Meridian Star, http://www.meridianstar.com