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Traverse City adopts comprehensive ethics ordinance requiring annual disclosures
Summary
The Traverse City Commission voted to enact a new city ethics ordinance that requires annual financial disclosures, sets civil-penalty paths and creates an arbiter process; the measure will be reviewed within 12 months and follows months of public input and ad hoc work.
Traverse City voters and officials took a step to formalize local conduct rules on Oct. 20 when the city commission enacted a new ethics ordinance to be codified in Chapter 225 of the municipal code.
The ordinance, introduced by Commissioner Jackie, requires annual disclosure statements from public servants, establishes an arbiter process to review alleged violations, and authorizes civil-infraction remedies and fines in district court. "The goal is to establish and strengthen trust between the public and its public servants," Commissioner Jackie said during debate.
City Attorney summarized enforcement options discussed during the meeting, saying the ordinance leaves civil-infraction penalties to the district court (fines typically ranging from $50 to $500) while also allowing an arbiter to recommend employment or contract remedies. She noted the ordinance does not preempt state-law remedies.
Commissioners emphasized training and onboarding as part of implementation. The clerk’s office will calendar annual disclosure filings (the ordinance requires filing in January) and the city attorney and interim city manager committed to producing training materials for newly elected and appointed officials.
The commission adopted the ordinance by voice vote after months of ad hoc committee meetings that included regular public participation. A review of Chapter 225 is scheduled within 12 months of the ordinance’s effective date to evaluate operations, reporting and penalties.
The ordinance will take effect after publication; further procedural details about annual filing deadlines and training will be coordinated by the clerk’s office.
