Protocol under a Strong Mayor form of Government

Why was a West Palm commissioner blocked from meeting with police chief as budget vote nears?

A West Palm Beach commissioner wanted to discuss the budget with the city's police chief. The mayor said no

A West Palm Beach city commissioner was barred by the mayor from meeting with the city’s police chief as she and fellow commissioners work to finalize the city’s annual budget.

Commissioner Cathleen Ward told her colleagues Tuesday, Sept. 2 that she asked to meet with Police Chief Tony Araujo to discuss the financial needs of the police department, which wants a budget increase to hire more than two dozen additional officers.

But the meeting request was blocked by Mayor Keith James, who told Ward she would have to submit any questions for the chief in writing to his administration instead.

“It was dismaying to hear that as a commissioner I can’t meet with our police chief,” Ward said. “Especially before we adopt the budget, which is one of the strongest powers we have here.”

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AI: "West Palm Beach has a strong mayor form of government, where the Mayor is the city's Chief Executive Officer and leads the administrative structure, as opposed to a city council holding the stronger position. Mayor Keith A. James is the city's first "strong mayor" and holds significant executive power, directing city departments and making key decisions."