Monroe City Council gives mayor a vote of ‘no confidence’

MONROE, NC — “No” in Monroe. On Tuesday, City Council voted ‘no confidence’ for Mayor Robert Burns.

It’s a symbolic vote, but members of the Monroe City Council, including Burns, did not take it lightly.

On Tuesday afternoon, members of city council held a vote of no confidence in Mayor Burns citing Burns’ continued use of the City’s logo to express opinions not related to Monroe, a failure to hold orderly meetings, and  not communicating developments to City Council about House Bill 3.

City Council Member, Julie Thompson, held a news conference last month after learning an amendment to HB3 would change Monroe’s election process to a two party system. Something they haven’t done in decades.

“No one sought my input, yet allegations of my involvement spread rapidly,” said Burns at the council meeting.

Mayor Burns pushed back on all three allegations. Claiming he’s being held to a double standard when it comes to expressing his views.

The city attorney acknowledged Burns did not break any rules. It wasn’t enough. Council voted 5-2 in favor of no confidence.

The city attorney says it’s a purely symbolic vote that cannot remove the mayor from his position. Only Burns and Mayor Pro Tem, David Dotson, voted for the mayor.