ZACHARY —  A discussion about check-writing policies turned into a heated exchange between Zachary city council members and Mayor David McDavid during last night's city council meeting.

Councilwoman Amber DeVirgilio raised an item on the agenda, calling for a discussion and hoping to get clarity about the city's check-writing and disbursement process. She told WBRZ she did not expect the discussion to cause this much tension between city leaders.

At the center of the dispute is a rule requiring a council member's signature on all city checks. City leaders said the policy is not always followed and there has been trouble getting council members to sign checks promptly.

Council members argued they have other jobs and personal matters to attend to on top of their job on the council. The mayor said council members need to make themselves available to sign the checks, which led to more back and forth.

"I would like to just apologize to the public if you are watching the meeting because this is an embarrassment," Brandy Westmoreland said.

"Embarrassment about what? Because somebody speaks up," Mayor McDavid said.

The exchange grew more direct from there.

"Do the job here. That's all I'm asking y'all to do. And John, you say you're the full-time councilman, come in here and sign the checks," McDavid said.

Council members ultimately decided to table the discussion.

WBRZ reached out to the mayor and multiple city council members. All of them were either unable to interview or did not respond.