Commission asks staff to reconcile two city codes of conduct and review social-media guidance

The City Commission directed staff and the city attorney to review and reconcile two separate code-of-conduct ordinances on the city books and to propose consolidated language, including clearer social-media guidance for elected officials and staff.

Commissioner discussion identified two separate code-of-conduct ordinances — one passed in 2014 and another in 2022 — that overlap and contain inconsistent language, particularly regarding complaint procedures and remedies. Commissioners asked staff to either repeal one ordinance and keep the other or to merge the two into a single, clearer policy. The city attorney indicated she had begun a review and told the commission she would present a summary of the differences and legal options.

Commissioners also raised a related issue about social media: if elected officials discuss city business on personal or public social-media pages, those posts may be subject to public-records rules. Commissioners instructed staff to review the social-media policy’s scope and draft suggested amendments to cover both commission members and staff and to clarify remedies and complaint handling.

The city attorney said she would prepare a consolidated draft and return to the commission; staff proposed a target of presenting options by the Sept. 1 meeting cycle. The commission did not adopt any ordinance changes at the meeting.