City Council passes vote of no confidence in Benton City Mayor

Benton City Clerk Stephanie Haug submitted her resignation last week, after some in the city claim she was forced to quit, after more than 11 years of working for the city.

At Tuesday night's City Council meeting, council members Jake Mokler, Mary Lattau, and Lisa Stade voted in favor of a no confidence vote in Mayor Linda Lehman.

The final vote was 3-1, with Lehman not casting a vote.

Then Lehman thanked them, saying they might change their minds once more information is revealed about Haug's resignation.

"This stems from, not just the last incident that you're referring to, but many many more over the last tenure," said Mokler.

Lehman challenged Mokler to reveal his concerns during the public forum.

"If you have something to say against me, I want it done in public, I'll tell you that right now," Lehman said.

Council members opted instead to take the discussion into an executive session, but not before addressing the recent resignation of a Planning Commissioner.

Steve Zetz submitted his letter of resignation to council Monday night, citing the unfair treatment of Haug as the reason he was stepping down from the board, stating that Haug didn't resign, but was "forced out by Mayor Linda Lehman."

"As city council members, I would ask you why. Because she enforced the rules? Because we have laws and ordinances designed for the greater good of Benton City? These rules and regulations are not absolute. They can be changed, modified, or repealed following a process. What they should never be is ignored or circumvented by an elected official overstepping their authority," Zetz wrote in a letter that council member Mary Lettau read during Tuesday night's meeting.

The letter from Zetz went on to accuse Lehman of "chasing away talented public servants," and stated that he could no longer serve on the planning commission "under leadership that finds the rule of law an obstacle."

During the council meeting it was also revealed that Haug's temporary replacement, Ron Musson, had been in talks with city officials about taking the City Clerk position for 2 to 3 weeks.

The city attorney advised the city council and Mayor Lehman that it would be best to bring in outside legal council to address the council members' concerns.

Watch Tuesday night's entire city council meeting from The BC Podcast: