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Rules Committee holds ordinance to bar false material statements by county employees for further legal review
Summary
The Jackson County Rules Committee read Ordinance 66,016, which would prohibit county employees from knowingly making false material statements to the legislature; after members raised separation-of-powers and disciplinary concerns, the committee voted to hold the ordinance for further legal review.
The Rules Committee chair, Legislator Sean Smith, read Ordinance 66,016, which would add a prohibition on knowingly making false material statements to the Jackson County code of conduct.
"When we have folks come before us and give us information, we have the opportunity to swear them in ... I don't think we need to go to that extent," Legislator Sean Smith said, explaining the sponsors intent to provide a legislative, noncriminal remedy for intentionally misleading testimony rather than pursue perjury charges.
A committee member raised a concern that including a disciplinary-action mechanism in the ordinance could encroach on the separation of powers by allowing the legislative body to discipline executive-branch employees. A representative from legal said the draft was prepared by another attorney and that the committee should allow time for review.
There was discussion clarifying that the draft under consideration does not include anti-retaliation or whistleblower provisions that had been discussed separately. Following discussion, a motion to hold the ordinance was moved and seconded; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and the ordinance will be held for further legal review.
No formal penalties or specific disciplinary procedures were enacted at the meeting; members asked for time to review the draft language and for legal to circulate a version that addresses cross-branch concerns before further action.
