Borger council introduces council ethics and operating procedures ordinance on first reading

The Borger City Council on Feb. 4 introduced Ordinance O-001-25 on first reading, a proposed ordinance that would codify council ethics standards, meeting decorum and operating procedures.

Staff member Spradlin told the council the ordinance compiles ethical policies and procedural guidance discussed in prior work sessions and is intended to serve as orientation material for new council members: “this ordinance is codifying the the ethical policies and procedures that the Council has desired to put in place for themselves,” Spradlin said. He described provisions addressing decorum, how to handle unruly members or members of the public, procedures for common motions and parliamentary points, and a process for selecting a mayor pro tem by secret ballot each year.

The ordinance was introduced on a motion by a council member, seconded by another council member, and the council voted to introduce the measure on first reading. Staff emphasized that the city charter remains the controlling document and that the ordinance provides additional operational detail; Spradlin noted the city is a home-rule municipality and the proposed ordinance clarifies procedures that council members have handled inconsistently in the past.

Council members did not make substantive amendments at introduction. The motion to introduce was approved on a voice vote; the transcript records the vote as "And it passes." The ordinance will return to the council for subsequent readings as required by local procedure before final adoption.

Staff framed the ordinance as primarily administrative: a printed reference for motions, points of order and orientation for new council members, rather than a change to substantive policy.