Commission debates vendor disclosure form, purchasing transparency and redaction for complaints

At its April meeting the Muncie Ethics Commission discussed a proposed vendor disclosure form and related purchasing-transparency steps aimed at revealing when a vendor has a relative who is a city elected official, appointed official or employee.

Commission members reviewed a draft disclosure form modeled on guidance from the Association of Indiana Municipalities (AIM). The draft would ask vendors, as part of bid packages and contract documents, to disclose whether any owners or principals have covered family relationships. The commission discussed expanding state-mandated coverage (which, as referenced in the meeting, specifically names relatives of the mayor and city council) to include relatives of city employees and appointed officials; the…