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Friendship Heights council adopts travel, social‑media and ethics policies and lowers Village Center rental rates
Summary
Council voted Jan. 12 to adopt a travel policy (aligning per‑diem language with GSA rules), a social‑media policy and a new ethics policy, and to cut resident rental rates for the Village Center while offering discounts for qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving village residents.
The Friendship Heights Village Council approved several governance and administrative changes at its Jan. 12 meeting, adopting a travel policy, a social‑media policy and a new public ethics policy and enacting a revised Village Center rental program that reduces resident rates and offers nonprofit discounts.
Travel policy: The council adopted a staff‑proposed travel policy that uses the IRS mileage reimbursement rate and General Services Administration (GSA) per‑diem rates for lodging and meals. During debate, a council member moved an amendment to align the policy text with GSA rules regarding event‑provided meals; the amendment (removing a reference to "hotel" in a meals clause) was accepted and the policy was adopted as amended. The manager later recorded one negative vote on the measure.
Social‑media policy: The council adopted a policy that limits village social‑media posts to factual information about village business, forbids staff or official endorsements, and emphasizes that posts are public. The village manager noted the policy is a best practice for local governments that use social platforms.
Ethics policy: The council adopted a concise public ethics policy recommended by the policies and procedures committee and drafted with state guidance. The policy prohibits officials from having a financial interest in matters before the taxing district, governs acceptance of gifts, includes anti‑retaliation language and will require annual certification by council members and specified staff.
Village Center rental program: Council approved a revised rental policy that lowers resident fees (examples given during discussion: an eight‑hour auditorium rental reduced from $1,000 to $500; a smaller rate from $500 to $250), maintains priority for village activities and committee meetings, and provides a 50% discount to qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are located in or directly serve village residents. The council agreed to review the policy in six months. One council member said they would abstain from voting if personally benefiting from the change; the chair recorded the vote as "5 of 6" in favor.
The council emphasized that these measures are intended to standardize procedures, improve transparency and make village facilities more accessible to residents and qualifying nonprofits. Staff were asked to monitor implementation, provide utilization data where relevant and return to the council with any necessary adjustments.
