A dispute between the city auditor and the mayor of Emerado, North Dakota, has resulted in the establishment of a mediation board. This board will outline future communication protocols between Mayor Jake Lanes and City Auditor Janelle Klava. The Emerado City Council is set to review the board’s recommendations on December 4, 2023.
The mediation board convened on December 1, 2023, and comprised three members: one appointed by Klava, one by the City Council, and a third chosen by the other two members. While the specific recommendations of the board are not yet public, Klava expressed concern over perceived bias in the discussions. She described the board’s proceedings as “very one-sided” but did not provide further details.
Lanes opted to refrain from commenting on the mediation process or the initial argument, which took place on September 30, 2023. The incident occurred before a special City Council meeting regarding the city’s budget. In her complaint, Klava detailed an encounter in her office where they discussed the upcoming meeting. She indicated her frustration over needing to revise the budget over two days, emphasizing that the responsibility should have rested with the council members.
According to Klava, Lanes became defensive, interpreting her comments as a personal attack. The situation escalated, and she alleged that Lanes threatened her, stating, “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.” This confrontation led to heightened tensions between the two officials.
Following this initial exchange, Klava recorded a subsequent conversation with Lanes where she reminded him that a mayor should not issue threats to their staff. Lanes countered by asserting that an auditor should not attack the mayor. The next day, he sent an email to Klava apologizing for his outburst and expressing hope for a harmonious resolution moving forward.
Klava formally lodged her complaint with the Emerado Police Department on October 6, 2023. If the City Council endorses the mediation board’s recommendations, both Lanes and Klava will need to agree to the proposed terms for them to take effect. Klava has already indicated her intention to reject the recommendations, stating, “As far as my opinion on the recommendations, no, I will not be accepting those.”
The ongoing situation highlights the challenges of communication and collaboration within local government, emphasizing the need for clear protocols to prevent similar conflicts in the future. The City Council’s upcoming review may play a crucial role in determining the future dynamics between these key city officials.
