Livingston Alderman Kelly Coleman said the city’s attorney has advised the city to stop paying aldermen at this time.
Coleman said while studying its charter, he found a line that says Aldermen are not to be compensated. Coleman said an ordinance was passed in 2005 that outlined the payments of $200 a month.
“Our city attorney Mr. Danny Rader advised the city that an ordinance cannot change or trump a charter,” Coleman said. “That can only be done through a resolution, so at this point, the city has been advised to no longer compensate Aldermen.”
Coleman said the city attorney has reported that the city did not violate the charter intentionally. It was in fact an error. Coleman said he has received a $200 check for every month over the past four years.
Coleman said it is to his understanding that the new administration that enters office in September will work on a resolution to outline compensation.