Flippin City Council overrides mayor’s veto; tensions continue to rise over financial authority

The Flippin City Council moved through a tense agenda Tuesday night, ultimately voting to override Mayor Heath Hogan’s veto as disputes over check-signing authority dominated the meeting.The meeting opened with a pledge, prayer and a quote from Hogan before quickly shifting to disagreement over the previous meeting’s minutes, including actions removing Public Works Director, J.L. Wagoner and the mayor from city checking accounts. Hogan also noted that an ethics claim filed against him had been dismissed in a 4-0 vote.
Councilwoman Jodi Howard moved to override the mayor’s veto, a motion that passed 3-1. Howard, Margaret Ott and Lacie Bettencourt voted in favor, with Tony Ford opposed.

Ford later attempted to reinstate the mayor’s check-signing privileges and remove Bettencourt and Mary Jane Erwin from the accounts, but the motion failed for lack of a second.

A USDA grant for a vehicle purchase also failed, 1-3, after a lengthy pause before Ott seconded the motion. Ott, Howard and Bettencourt voted no, while Ford cast the lone vote in favor. The exchange prompted visible frustration from the mayor.

In other business, Jessica Beals reported that 2025 Christmas bonuses were already funded and required no vote, stating she wanted to make the council aware before the checks were issued. She also updated the council on the AML AD&D plan, AML legal defense program and a payment to Bill Higgins, and asked for authorization to issue checks to them.

The council unanimously approved Ordinance 368, amending county purchasing procedures, before adjourning.

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