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Greg Phipps appointed to Charlotte City Council after Mayor Lyles breaks tie

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For the second time, Greg Phipps was appointed to Charlotte City Council thanks to a tie-breaker vote. In 2005, former Mayor Pat McCrory put Phipps on the council. In 2021, it was a vote by Mayor Vi Lyles.

“As the former budget director and as the mayor, it is essential we have someone who understands our city budget and is able to move quickly to navigate the budget process,” Lyles said in a statement following the meeting. “We have our first budget workshop on Wednesday and without a solid financial foundation, we can’t create the programs and services that are essential to our citizens, particularly during this time.”

More than 140 people applied to serve in the vacated seat by James Mitchell. Over 60 candidates addressed the council last week in a public forum. Phipps did not participate in the forum.

Phipps served as a council member in 2005 and from 2013 to 2019. His supporters said Phipps will be able to jump into action right away with no learning curve.

“For me, with all of the things we have on our plate this year, the ability to literally hit the ground running on day one won out for me,” Councilman Larken Egleston said.

“We need to add someone who has some experience and some know-how,” Councilman Malcolm Graham said. “Someone who understands our rules and procedures and who can make sure our meetings are effective and efficient on day one.”

The vote came down to Phipps and community leader and former District 2 candidate Jessica Davis.

Davis was backed by former Councilman James Mitchell.

“The reason Miss Davis has such community support is because she is authentic, and she has earned it,” Councilwoman Victoria Watlington said.

Councilwoman Renee Johnson, who holds the seat Phipps used to represent, said it isn’t fair to other applicants that their lack of council experience is held against them. She also expressed disappointment that he did not participate in the forum last week.

“To vote for Councilman Phipps, I think is an insult to those who applied,” she said.

The lack of participation in that forum is why Councilman Braxton Winston opposed his appointment.

“I will not support anybody who did not come before the people and plead their case,” he said.

But in a plot twist, Winston also said he would not support Jessica Davis because she previously ran for office and lost in the primary.

“I will not select anybody who was not able to or failed to make it through a Democratic primary,” he said.

Winston made a motion at the beginning of the discussion to hold a caucus to discuss all potential candidates, which did not get a second motion. Councilman Tariq Bokhari offered to second whoever Winston wanted to nominate so they could have a discussion on the applicant, but Winston did not take him up on the offer. After saying he could not support Phipps or Davis, Winston said he would not participate in the process.

Neither Phipps nor Davis hit six votes in the initial round of voting. A roll call for Davis failed, 4-6, with Winston voting no. A roll call for Phipps deadlocked 5-5, with Winston once again voting no. When there is a tie, the mayor can break it. She elected to do that and voted yes for Phipps to be the at-large representative.

Votes

When asked Phipps or Davis:

  • Newton- Davis
  • Watlington- Davis
  • Eiselt- Phipps
  • Ajmera- Davis
  • Winston- No response
  • Bokhari- Phipps
  • Driggs- Phipps
  • Egleston- Phipps
  • Graham- Phipps
  • Johnson- Davis

Roll call on Davis:

  • Newton- Yes
  • Watlington- Yes
  • Eiselt- No
  • Ajmera- Yes
  • Winston- No
  • Bokhari- No
  • Driggs- No
  • Egleston- No
  • Graham- No
  • Johnson- Yes

Roll call on Phipps:

  • Newton- No
  • Watlington- No
  • Eiselt- Yes
  • Ajmera- No
  • Winston- No
  • Bokhari- Yes
  • Driggs- Yes
  • Egleston- Yes
  • Graham- Yes
  • Johnson- No
  • Lyles- Yes