ALTON – A lawsuit between the City of Alton and its mayor is officially moving ahead.
Alton City Council members held a three-minute executive session to discuss outside legal counsel for pending litigation at a special meeting on Aug. 5, 2026. After reconvening for open session, council members moved quickly and unanimously to approve only one action item concerning the lawsuit.
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Alderman Michael Velloff moved to retain the legal services of Patrick Watts to represent the City of Alton in the lawsuit. Mayor David Goins is being represented by Attorney Jeff Ezra of Byron Carlson Petri & Kalb, LLC.
The special meeting comes after the mayor vowed a “tooth and nail” legal fight seeking to undo an ordinance which nullified each of his appointees and subjected them to City Council approval.
As a result of the ordinance, Rodney and Greg Caffey were temporarily ousted from their respective positions as City Attorney and director of Planning and Development, Building and Zoning, and Code Enforcement. Both were reinstated under a Temporary Restraining Order filed by Ezra on behalf of Goins, which also temporarily blocks the City Council from enforcing or taking further action on the ordinance.
A proposed agenda item to discuss attorney fees in the matter of Goins vs. City of Alton was ultimately not included on the special meeting agenda.
After the meeting, Goins declined to answer questions about the litigation’s potential cost to taxpayers, stating it remains a matter of “pending litigation.” He also declined to confirm or deny whether he would seek an appeal if the ordinance in question is deemed legally valid.
During public comments, former Alton Riverfront Commission member Leo Portal alleged that a resignation letter was entered on his behalf and his replacement was appointed without his prior knowledge. He said his own experience with Alton city government has lead him to question its transparency.
“Legitimate questions should be answered with records, explanations, and measurable results – not resistance or litigation that limits meaningful oversight,” Portal said. “Accountability is not hostility … Alton cannot prosper when responsibility is unclear and oversight is treated as interference.”
Portal also questioned whether taxpayer funds were being used for the litigation and requested that the City Council publicly disclose all agreements and invoices related to the lawsuit between the city and mayor.
The Temporary Restraining Order remains in effect until Aug. 9, 2026. Stay tuned to Riverbender.com for the latest coverage as the lawsuit advances through the courts.
