Mayor proposes delaying local financial disclosure ordinance for unpaid commissioners

Mayor Mason said the commission should move consideration of a local financial disclosure and stewardship-responsibility ordinance to the next regular session so the city can use a form tailored to unpaid, part‑time commissioners and maintain records locally.

Mason told the study session the draft ordinance and a simplified disclosure form were prepared with help from Summer (staff). "This is an ordinance that, my suggestion is that we consider next session, because, if not, you guys are going to all have to file your disclosure statements with the ethics commission," Mason said, adding the form was tailored for a commission that does not receive pay.

Why it matters: commissioners would otherwise be subject to the more extensive filings the state requires of paid officials, including those filed with the state ethics commission. Mason said a bill under consideration at the state level could require the same filings for commissioners, but that bill "hasn't passed yet." In the meantime, Mason and staff recommended holding the tailored forms locally and bringing the ordinance forward at the next regular session, with a planned May timing mentioned for incoming members.

Details and staff role: Mason said Summer helped draft the form and that Summer would keep the records if the commission moves forward with the local ordinance. No formal vote or directive was recorded at the study session; the item was presented for discussion and scheduling.

Next steps: The commission did not adopt the ordinance at the study session. Commissioners and staff indicated the item would be brought back for formal consideration at a future regular meeting or the next session, with attention to any change in state law.