Tuesday night, an unexpected moment of agreement reminded Monroe why rules matter. Rev. Rodney McFarland, chairman of the Monroe City Council, received public praise from former councilwoman and state legislator Kay Kellogg Katz. Katz, a seasoned public servant and leading voice among Republican women, applauded McFarland for keeping the council meeting on track and in line with Robert’s Rules of Order.
That praise may seem minor, but it carries weight. The city charter makes clear that the council is governed by these rules. They exist for one reason: to keep order when opinions differ, passions flare, and the stakes for the public are high.
Adhering to the rules ensures that debate remains fair, transparent, and balanced—no matter who holds the gavel.
Unfortunately, Monroe has seen what happens when those rules are bent or ignored. In 2018, the council, under pressure from then-Mayor Jamie Mayo, improperly revived a dead motion on automatic water rate hikes in the same meeting. The result: a faulty decision raised residents’ bills annually for the next six years. Again in 2023, confusion over procedure allowed a $40,000 mayoral pay raise to be pushed through without fair opportunity for amendment or debate. Both moments left scars that are memorable. In one instance, a council chairperson, had a citizen ejected because the chair was offended by a comment made during the citizen’s comments.
The problem lies not only with inattention but also with reliance on legal counsel for parliamentary direction. Attorneys know court procedure, but Robert’s Rules is its own discipline. When lawyers give advice shaded by administrative loyalties—or simply misinterpret the rules—the result is chaos. The city attorney’s paycheck may come from the mayor, but the council owes its fidelity to the people. In one instance a councilchairperson had a citizen ejected because the chair was offended by
Rev. McFarland’s steady hand since he became president showed how leadership guided by order can win even unlikely praise. The public has a right to expect every council meeting to be run that way—not just by chance, but by commitment.
Adherence to the rules of order is more than a formality. It is the safeguard of fair play, the referee of debate, and the protector of the public trust.
If Monroe wants decisions that stand the test of time—and stand up in the eyes of its people—the council must treat Robert’s Rules not as a suggestion, but as the law of the chamber.
