A civil lawsuit against the city of Manhattan saw action in Riley County court on Wednesday afternoon.
Four individuals who support the organization “Save Our Social Services”, or SOS, asked for a summary judgement against the city. The case was brought to the courts by the plaintiffs in hopes its petition to have the city enact an ordinance requiring two percent of the city’s general fund budget to be earmarked for social services would go forward as a legal referendum.
The petition would make the city adopt the measure as an ordinance, or put the issue to a vote in the city.
Previously the petition was put forward, but city attorneys advised the commission not to take action as a public referendum could not be made against administrative ordinances.
During the proceeding on Wednesday the plaintiff’s attorney Ron Schneider squared off against the city attorney Bill Frost with Judge John Bosch presiding.
Schneider put forward his arguments that the facts stand for themselves in the case and summary judgement could be reached, but Frost disputed several of the plaintiffs points in the case. Key in the dispute was the determination on whether or not the issue is a legislative or administrative function.
Judge Bosch agreed with the city’s attorney that the issue needed to go to full trial but said the city attorney was “nitpicking” at times during his arguments.
The case is set to be tried in June.
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