WEBBERS FALLS — Mayor Jewell Horne walked out of the town trustee meeting just before a vote to name a new mayor — leaving the trustees without a quorum.

Toni Cox, a relative of Horne’s, announced Cox represented the majority of the town and requested the council not vote on a mayor and vice mayor until the July 14 special meeting to elect two more trustees takes place “so you have a full five-member board.”

Cox requested trustees also table action on creating and adopting a job description for town administrator and hiring a person to fill that position.

Councilor Dennis Berton asked Cox how she could stand and say she represents the majority of the town, when he believes the majority of the town wants a new mayor.

When Horne could see there would be no delay, she walked out a side door, saying, “I’m going to do what the people want.”

Berton said they had to put an end to Horne just leaving when things didn’t go her way, leaving the council without a quorum.

He said he probably will file a complaint against Horne after asking the district attorney today who to file it with.

Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Moore expressed surprise that Horne left the meeting again — saying he had told her that might be considered neglect of duty or malfeasance in office and to quit doing it.

“I plan to review it in the morning,” he said.

Resident Bobby Williams had asked if councilors were going to reduce their trustee pay. Trustee Sonny Tipton announced he was not taking any pay until he learned whether it was legal to do so. Trustees cannot vote a change in salary during a term of office.

Town Clerk Susan Dwyer said earlier that Horne received $1,100 per month as mayor and $1,500 a month as the town’s manager, conducting the town’s day-to-day business. The town pays Horne’s health insurance, which is another $450 per month, for a grand total of $3,050 a month or $36,600 a year.

Dwyer said she has found no minutes or contracts giving the mayor extra-duty pay.

Moore’s investigator has been in Webbers Falls Town Hall going over town records for two days. The town has no town budget, as required by law, Moore said.

Reach Donna Hales at 684-2923 or dhales@muskogeephoenix.com.