Are elected officials phoning in on your dime?

MARCO ISLAND, Fla.- Are the people you elect phoning it on your dime?

One Marco Island lawmaker says city councilors need to attend board meetings instead of calling in their votes. WINK News found out, the practice might even be illegal.

“I think its comedy hour,” said Marco Island taxpayer, Ellen Stevens.

Voters tell WINK News city councilors should be at every meeting possible.

“That’s their job,” said resident Kimberly Gratkowski. “That’s what we expect them to do.”

“I feel they should be there for us,” said Marco Island taxpayer, Judy Laskey.

But, turns out, that’s not happening. In a memo to city council, Vice Mayor Bob Brown says phoning in votes is unacceptable. He was so bothered by the practice he brought up the topic at Monday’s meeting.

WINK News asked how many times have city councilors called into meetings. The city hasn’t released that information.

But, Brown even asked the city attorney to weigh in. In a six-page letter, the attorney says state law shows the method is unacceptable and may be illegal because votes are not valid outside city limits. The practice could even open the city up to lawsuits and be a violation of the state’s sunshine law.

“I think they get more information and they know more about what’s going on if they were actually there,” said Gratkowski.

Trust WINK News to tell you what city council decides.