Council approves campaign-finance technical amendment, asks solicitor for conflict-of-interest opinion
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Summary
Council added an effective date to a campaign-finance ordinance, voted to reference county posting for reports, and accepted a request to have the solicitor issue a legal opinion on enforcement and oversight of the 2022 conflict-of-interest ordinance affecting elected officials and administration.
Council members voted unanimously to add an effective date of Feb. 2, 2026, to an amended campaign-finance reporting ordinance so that the new requirements align with calendar-year filing periods. The change was described as a technical amendment designed to keep 2025 filings consistent and to simplify clerks' workload by referencing the county's existing online repository for campaign-finance filings.
During new business, Councilwoman Grace Cramsey Smith asked the solicitor to issue a legal opinion clarifying oversight and enforcement of the city's 2022 conflict-of-interest ordinance. The existing local ordinance defines a financial interest as a campaign contribution of $500 or more within five years of official action and requires recusal and a public explanation by the official. Councilmembers asked whether and how that rule applies to nonvoting elected officials (for example, the mayor) and administrative staff, and whether stronger enforcement mechanisms should be considered.
Council President Callahan said he would invite the solicitor to prepare the legal opinion and that he will work with the clerk to schedule a committee-of-the-whole meeting after the opinion is available. Councilwoman Cramsey Smith said the committee could meet as soon as calendar availability allows, and she indicated she will propose that the committee clarify how the ordinance applies to administration and to future mayors. No change to the ordinance's conflict threshold was made on the night; the action was limited to requesting legal guidance and scheduling follow-up discussion.
The council also approved a set of routine ordinances and resolutions on the agenda, including motions authorizing grant applications to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for local-share assessment grants and several code and budget ordinances that proceeded on roll-call votes.
The council voted 7'to adopt a technical amendment setting the campaign-finance ordinance effective date (amendment passed on voice/roll call) and directed Clerk Miller to circulate the solicitor's opinion to full council when available. A committee-of-the-whole meeting to review enforcement and oversight was proposed after the opinion is issued.