Muncie — The City of Muncie Ethics Commission voted unanimously on July 9 to stay proceedings on complaint EC25‑14 and authorize further investigation, including the authority to compel documents or testimony if legal counsel concurs.

The move follows a complaint filed with the City Clerk’s office on June 16, 2025, and an executive session the commission held on June 25 under Section 42.01(C) of the City of Muncie Code of Ordinances to consider whether the complaint warranted further inquiry. At tonight’s public meeting — held under Section 42.01(D) of the city code — the commission considered several investigatory steps recommended by the chair and approved a detailed scope of work for appointed investigators.

The commission’s motion to stay the proceedings said additional investigation was necessary “based on the information that was reviewed in the executive session and the questions that arose.” The approved scope directs the investigating members, in consultation with legal counsel, to identify and interview witnesses named in the complaint or found during the investigation, interview the respondent, verify evidentiary documents attached to the complaint, and obtain any other documents or evidence related to the matter. If needed and sanctioned by legal counsel, the investigating members may “seek to compel the production of documents and other evidence as permitted by section 41 0 4 7 of the City Of Muncie Ethics Code” and “seek to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses as permitted by section 41 0 4 8 of the City Of Muncie ethics code.”

The commission appointed Sandra Whitaker and Charles “Chip” Taylor to serve as the investigating commission members. Roll-call votes recorded Chip Taylor, Susan Dillon, Sandra Whitaker, Frank Scott the second, and Jim Lowe as voting yes on both the motion to stay proceedings and the subsequent motion to adopt the investigatory scope; no dissent or abstentions were recorded.

Commissioners and the chair said they did not anticipate issuing subpoenas but authorized them if counsel and investigators determine they are necessary. The chair said the commission hopes to complete the investigation in time to consider next steps at the commission’s next scheduled meeting, though no timeline was guaranteed.

The complaint at issue was filed on 06/16/2025 and docketed as EC25‑14. The commission met in executive session about the complaint on 06/25/2025 and took the actions described above at the public meeting on 07/09/2025.