Council appoints police chief as ethics liaison, names treasurer complaint recipient and directs attorney to draft implementing ordinance

City attorney David Rood briefed the council on a recently enacted municipal code of ethics that took effect on Jan. 1 and said it expands municipal responsibilities to avoid conflicts and appearances of conflicts.

Rood explained the laws structures, including the need to designate a complaint recipient and an ethics liaison and to post relevant policies on the city's website. He advised that the statute is broader than most prior local policies and that municipalities are beginning to adopt ordinances or policies to comply.

The council moved, seconded and approved appointing Police Chief Travis Bingham as the city's ethics liaison and designating the treasurer as the complaint recipient. The council also approved a motion authorizing the city attorney to draft ordinances and policies to implement the new code and directed that required materials be posted online.

Rood noted municipalities typically handle enforcement internally and that the statute allows municipal officers and employees to seek advisory opinions from the ethics commission.

Council members asked about who may serve as the complaint recipient (staff or municipal officers) and discussed options for backups and accessibility during business hours. The city attorney said a department head or employee is recommended as the primary recipient but that a council member can be a backup.