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Royce City councilors discuss tightening purchasing policy and disclosure of family business relationships
Summary
Councilors discussed updating the city's purchasing policy to align with Utah ethics rules, including a proposal that city employees disclose familial or business ties if they or relatives seek contracts with the city.
Council members discussed revisions to Royce City's purchasing and ethics policies at their Sept. 16 meeting, focusing on transparency when employees or family members seek to do business with the city.
Mayor Randy Dandooy told the council he had encountered recurring concerns and recommended stronger written guidance to ensure the disclosure of potential conflicts. "If a city employee simply says, 'I've got a business or my family has a business and they would like to do business with Royce City,' the requirement would be... stand in front of that podium. Declare, okay, the relationship," Dandooy said, arguing that public disclosure would let the city manager and the council identify appropriate mitigation.
City Attorney Matt Wilson confirmed the council could both reference state law and craft clear local policy language that explains required disclosures and highlights that state code supersedes municipal policy. Wilson said staff could draft a combined document "that this is our policy, but it also must be compliant with Utah laws."
Council members asked staff to prepare draft language that: (1) clarifies the disclosure step and process, (2) points to the applicable Utah Code references, and (3) specifies how the city manager will mitigate or refer matters to council when a conflict arises. The mayor and council accepted a plan for staff to prepare proposed language for future council review.
