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Kanarraville officials briefed on new disclosure form; questions remain about scope and data published
Summary
Staff briefed the town board on a disclosure form linked to state guidance; members questioned the breadth of required information, deadlines and whether 'not applicable' answers would satisfy legal filing requirements. Staff will seek clarification from the lieutenant governor's office and provide guidance to board members.
Town staff reviewed a new conflict-of-interest/disclosure form the state is circulating for elected officials and other local public bodies.
Staff said all elected officials are expected to complete the form and post it on the town website by Jan. 31 (staff cited that deadline in the meeting). The form asks for employment history, household adult names, investments and property holdings; staff warned that incomplete or incorrect filings could trigger reporting to the attorney general and noted possible penalties mentioned on the form, including a $100 fine and potential misdemeanor exposure.
Several board members expressed concern about the breadth of requested information — including investments and properties — and questioned whether answering "not applicable" on certain items would count as a completed filing. One board member said they would rather accept the misdemeanor than disclose sensitive details; another noted that some board members have jobs that restrict public disclosure for security or non-disclosure reasons.
Town staff said she had contacted the lieutenant governor's office and would provide guidance when the office responds, and that she would post completed forms to the town website when available. The board did not adopt any local rule about the form at this meeting; members were reminded to read the form, complete it if they can, and await staff guidance about which items must be fully answered versus whether “not applicable” suffices.
Staff said the town will try to provide clearer instructions and to collect the forms so they can be posted as required by the state.
