The ongoing dispute between the Interstate 20 (I-20) Development Board and Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis took a significant legal turn Friday, when it unanimously voted to hire renowned civil rights attorney Carol Powell Lexing to help force the mayor and the City of Monroe to honor its decision to use a Black company.
The board voted to hire Lexing because the mayor’s refusal to pay invoices to the Black company DZE will cost the board for failure to deliver on its contract. It’s estimated that the cost could be as much as $75,000 plus additional costs for delays caused by the mayor’s refusals.
This move follows a series of escalating conflicts over the mayor’s opposition to a black developer’s contract with the I-20 Board, which is not a part of the city.
At the heart of the conflict is a February vote by the I-20 Board to provide $4.5 million in funding to DZE, Inc, an area Black developer for crucial infrastructure improvements along the I-20 corridor.
While the I-20 District generates significant revenues, state law mandates that these funds be held and disbursed by the city at the I-20 board’s direction.
Following the board’s February vote, Mayor Ellis expressed strong opposition to the allocation.
A recent Attorney General’s opinion clarified the contract’s legality, stating it was a valid and binding agreement, but the Ellis administration has repeatedly refused to honor invoices from the development company, leaving the critical infrastructure projects in limbo.
The situation has drawn scrutiny from the Monroe City Council, which passed a resolution urging Mayor Ellis not to interfere in the I-20 District’s decision-making and to respect the I-20 board’s authority over fund allocation.
City Council members have expressed concern about the potential negative impact on development and public trust if the conflict remains unresolved.
Adding further weight to the board’s position, a lawsuit asking a district judge to force the city to pay the developer under a writ of Mandamus is scheduled to be heard in late June. This legal action, aimed at compelling the Mayor’s administration to fulfill its financial obligations, is expected to be a pivotal moment in the dispute.
The hiring of Carol Powell Lexing, a respected legal professional with a track record of handling high-profile cases, underscores the I-20 Board’s determination to challenge the Mayor’s authority over its financial matters.
Lexing’s involvement is likely to amplify the public discourse surrounding the issue and could have far-reaching implications for development in Monroe and beyond.
Meanwhile, a separate suit was filed Friday by DZE against the Ellis administration for interfering in I-20 business and preventing the company from receiving its authorized funds.
DZE alleges that the Mayor’s actions are politically motivated and have caused significant financial harm to the company.
