Roy City Council approves changes to purchasing policy after debate over conflict-of-interest language

Roy City Council approved Resolution 25-26, amending the citypurchasing policy, after a council discussion and public comments that focused on what counts as a conflict of interest and how disclosures should be handled.

The changes the council approved remove or narrow vague language the council said could be overly broad, add a defined "employee" term, and mirror state lawstandards on when public disclosure is required. City Attorney Matt Wilson told the council the draft policy is consistent with state requirements: "we are compliant with state law," he said during the discussion.

The decision followed public comment from residents who urged clearer definitions and less burdensome disclosure procedures. Glenda Moore, who read portions of the proposed language aloud, said she objected to a requirement that employees publicly disclose conflicts at council meetings: "I strongly object to an employee having to do what will be perceived as publicly groveling or begging to do business with the city," Moore said. Resident Kevin Homer asked the council to clarify how "relative" and related terms would be defined in the policy: "I like the fact that the city council would be involved in that part," he told the council.

Coun…