Ione council adopts formal censure policy for elected officials, expands scope to all elected city officials

The Ione City Council on March 4 adopted a formal policy establishing a procedure to consider censure requests against elected officials.

City Attorney presented a proposed censure procedure that defines types of conduct that could trigger a request (including interference with city-manager form of government, violation of the Brown Act or Political Reform Act, abuse of public resources, or conduct causing extraordinary legal expense). The procedure requires a written complaint with supporting detail, notice to the named official at least 10 days before an initial hearing, and an opportunity for the council to authorize an investigation or appoint an ad hoc two-member committee to inquire.

The policy outlines three possible outcomes following a hearing or investigation: an admonishment (informal), an informal warning (non-binding determination of a standards violation), or a formal resolution of censure prepared by the city attorney and adopted by the council. The city attorney emphasized the policy is intended to provide due process and prevent misuse of the procedure.

Council members debated scope. Several members recommended applying the policy to "all elected officials" rather than restricting it to council members; one councilor proposed extending it further to appointed board members who take an oath. After discussion the council voted to adopt the policy and directed the city attorney to revise the draft to apply the policy to all city elected officials; staff will work on additional wording to address appointed officials and oath-taking boards in a future revision.

The motion to adopt the policy as amended passed on voice vote; the mayor declared, "Ayes have it." The city attorney said the final version would be updated to reflect the council's direction and returned with conforming resolution language.