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Split vote for
new ethics policy
Three to two, policy passes
By BILL RETTEW JR.
Staff Writer
Commissioners hammered out an enhanced city ordinance setting more stringent ethics standards following a second reading and public hearing at Tuesday’s meeting.The Board of Commissioners reached a consensus Tuesday, and after a 3-2 vote, the new policy will become a city ordinance.
The meeting agenda packet included a proposed ordinance prepared in part by City Attorney Chuck Galloway who surveyed comments made by commissioners during the first reading.
The new ordinance includes a prohibition of voting conflicts.
Galloway told commissioners, Tuesday, that the revised ordinance was “significantly less restrictive” with changes that ban a commissioner from voting on an issue when they are a member of a board from an entity voted upon.
Whether the ordinance designed for city staff, commissioners and board members will have any “teeth” for enforcement was yet to be decided.
Commissioners Terrye Howell and Mike Carter continued to maintain that the new ethics policy was ”way over the top,” although both supported ethical conduct. Both were on the losing side of the 3-2 vote.
Carter supported a 18-month long “cooling-off period” for commissioners between time spent serving on a committee and voting. Carter talked about receiving gifts.
“I’m not sure how we can legislate what other people do,” said Carter.
“If adopted, the ordinance will require an amendment to provide for enforcement and for authority to interpret and apply its provision,” reads Economic Director Harold Gallup’s memo included with the packet.
Commissioners also set stronger standards for employees, board and committee members and the board concerning gifts. “A city commissioner, appointed official or employee, shall be prohibited from accepting a gift of any value from a person or entity transacting business with the city,” reads the Galloway suggested ordinance.
The commissioners also considered language that would prevent a city commissioner, appointed official or officer, or employee to attempt to use his or her position to “secure privileges, exemptions, or other benefits.”
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