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Commissioner Wells’ signature on national refugee letter prompts call for formal city policy
Summary
A bipartisan national letter urging the president to maintain robust refugee admissions listed Matthew Wells as a signatory with his city title; commissioners said the commission should have a procedure when sitting officials use municipal titles on public endorsements and asked for a formal agenda item on a possible resolution.
Commissioner Matthew Wells told the Sept. 17 Fort Scott City Commission meeting that he individually signed a national bipartisan letter encouraging President Biden to maintain a substantive U.S. refugee admissions program. Wells said he signed in his personal capacity but acknowledged the letter listed his elected title, which prompted questions from other commissioners and members of the public about whether the commission had authorized any city endorsement.
Why it matters: Several residents contacted commissioners, asking whether the City of Fort Scott as a governing body had approved the endorsement. Commissioners emphasized that municipal endorsements of federal policy should come before the full governing body; they said signatures using the official title can give the public the impression of a body vote.
What happened at the meeting: Commissioner Wells said he signed as an individual and not on behalf of the commission. Other commissioners said that, whether intentional or not, the use of the title created a perception that the commission had endorsed the letter. One commissioner asked the clerk to add a resolution supporting refugee resettlement and the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program to a future agenda so the body could consider adopting a formal position. The mayor and other commissioners also requested clearer internal procedures about when elected officials may attach their office title to public statements.
Authorities and procedure: Commissioners referenced prior guidance from the Kansas attorney general’s office about individual officials signing letters; that guidance was cited by commissioners who said signatures do not automatically constitute a municipal action. Commissioners nevertheless directed staff to place a potential resolution for the next meeting’s agenda so the commission could consider whether to adopt a formal position.
Ending: Commissioner Wells invited anyone offended to meet with him to discuss. The clerk was asked to add a resolution on refugee resettlement and the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program to a future agenda for formal consideration by the full commission.
