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Oak Harbor council adopts nepotism ordinance limiting relatives of elected officials from chairing advisory bodies

Oak Harbor City Council · February 4, 2026

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Summary

The Oak Harbor City Council on Feb. 3 adopted Ordinance No. 2038 (nepotism), restricting relatives of elected officials from serving as chairs on boards and commissions and amended the draft to apply to 'elected official' rather than only council members; the measure passed with one opposing vote.

The Oak Harbor City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2038 on Feb. 3, 2026, changing city rules on appointments to advisory boards and commissions to limit the influence of elected officials' relatives. Councilor Peterson moved the ordinance (Option 2 as amended) and Councilor Merrow seconded; the motion passed with one opposed.

City Attorney Hillary Evans introduced the item as the council's "fifth touch" on the nepotism issue and presented two draft alternatives designed to restrict appointments and chairmanships for relatives of elected officials. "I essentially shortened hearing the feedback from the last meeting," Evans said, summarizing the administrative changes staff had prepared.

Councilor Peterson said he would vote for the narrower Option 2, which—after the council's amendment—bars a board, commission or committee member who is a relative of an elected official from serving as chair and prevents elected officials from voting to confirm relatives. "The chairman sets the agenda, calls on speakers, and speaks for the committee in the community," Peterson said, arguing chairmanship carries practical power and that the rule would avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Councilor Brian Stuckey pushed to broaden the language from "city council member" to "elected official" so the restriction would also capture mayoral appointments. Evans confirmed that the ordinance language could be tweaked in the relevant subsections to accomplish that change.

Council member Barbara Armes said she opposed the chair restriction and stated she would not vote for Option 2. The council held a vote after discussion; Mayor Pro Tem announced the ordinance had passed with one opposing vote.

The ordinance was identified in the meeting as Ordinance No. 2038 and referenced "Oak Harbor municipal code section 2.65 0.14" (nepotism). The council's adopted version uses the amended language discussed at the meeting to reach beyond just council members to elected officials in certain subsections, per City Attorney Evans's explanation.

What happens next: Mayor Pro Tem announced the ordinance's adoption at the meeting. The ordinance's effective date and any implementing procedures were not specified during the discussion.

(Reporting provenance: ordinance discussion introduced by City Attorney Hillary Evans at SEG 348 and the adoption announced at SEG 657.)