The Spokane Valley City Council clawed back funding intended for public safety Tuesday to help cover the costs of the ongoing legal struggles with a member of the governing board.

Controversy has followed Councilman Al Merkel throughout his first year and change in office. Bickering between Merkel and his opponents on the council has become a mainstay of Tuesday meetings, and two independent investigations into his behavior were launched last year following complaints filed by his peers and city employees. One found Merkel repeatedly disrespected city staff, often engaging in “intimidating behavior.” The latter found Merkel’s use of the social media platform NextDoor was likely in violation of state public records law and city code, and is the root of a lawsuit the city launched against h

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