A conflict between Emerado’s city auditor and mayor has resulted in the formation of a mediation board aimed at establishing future communication protocols. The Emerado City Council plans to review the board’s recommendations regarding interactions between Mayor Jake Lanes and City Auditor/Clerk of Court Janelle Klava on December 4, 2023.
The mediation board convened on December 1, 2023, comprising three members: one appointed by Klava, another by the City Council, and a third selected by the other two members. The specific recommendations from this meeting have not been disclosed, but Klava has expressed concerns about the impartiality of the process, stating it felt “very biased.”
The dispute traces back to a heated exchange that occurred on September 30, 2023, just before a special meeting of the Emerado City Council focused on the city’s budget. In her complaint filed with the Emerado Police Department, Klava recounted that Lanes approached her in her office, where they began discussing the budget meeting. Klava expressed her frustration over having to revise the budget, which she believed should have been the responsibility of the council members.
According to Klava’s account, Lanes reacted negatively, perceiving her comments as an implication that he was not fulfilling his duties. Klava clarified that her remarks were directed at the council as a whole, not specifically at Lanes. The argument escalated, and as Klava attempted to leave her office, she alleges that Lanes shouted after her, threatening her job security with the words, “And if you ever talk to me like that again, you just remember that I have your (expletive) job in the palm of my hand and I can fire you at any moment.”
Following this confrontation, Klava and Lanes engaged in another discussion before the council meeting. Klava recorded this interaction, during which she asserted, “A mayor does not threaten somebody that works for them.” Lanes responded, “And an auditor doesn’t attack the mayor.”
The day after the incident, Lanes sent an email to Klava, apologizing for his behavior. “I do apologize for getting upset and for how I, as mayor, handled the situation,” he wrote. “I understand your frustrations, as I hope overall you understand mine. I hope that we can resolve our differences in a timely manner as we move forward.”
Klava officially lodged her complaint against Lanes on October 6, 2023. If the City Council approves the mediation board’s recommendations, both Lanes and Klava will need to agree to the terms before they can be implemented. Klava has already indicated her reluctance to accept the recommendations, stating, “As far as my opinion on the recommendations, no, I will not be accepting those.”
This dispute highlights the challenges of communication within local government and the importance of maintaining professional relationships in public service. The upcoming council meeting may provide further clarification on how both parties can move forward.
