Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chester council adopts new Code of Ethics after employee concerns; training and disclosure procedures to follow
Summary
The Chester City Council passed Ordinance B1 (new Article 149), a citywide Code of Ethics, in a unanimous vote April 8, 2026. City officials said the policy aims to raise transparency and requires disclosures of potential conflicts; some municipal workers urged clearer prior notice and assurances it would not target union members.
Chester — The City Council voted unanimously April 8 to adopt Ordinance B1, enacting Article 149, a new citywide Code of Ethics intended to set conduct standards for elected officials, appointed board members and employees.
At the council’s final-reading vote, Councillors Green, West and Davis and the Mayor recorded affirmative votes. The ordinance establishes disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules and repeals earlier, inconsistent language in the codified ordinances.
Why it matters: Council members said the measure responds to longstanding public calls for stronger oversight and clearer ethical rules. Council members and staff said the policy is intended to improve public trust and will be accompanied by training and implementation guidance.
Some city employees raised concerns during the meeting’s agenda-only public comment period about when and how workers were notified. Aaron Bowers, who identified himself as a city employee, told council he had just become aware of the ordinance and worried it could be used against union members. “I believe that it should have been brought to our attention as workers of the city because we’re going to be affected by this code of ethics,” he said.
A city official identified in the meeting as the Solicitor responded that the ethics policy had been posted and that the ordinance’s language does not single out union employees. Council members said employees had opportunities to review and comment and that the policy does not prohibit lawful secondary employment; it requires disclosure to evaluate potential conflicts with city duties.
Council members and administrative staff said the implementation phase will include outreach and training through Human Resources and that written guidance will clarify disclosure requirements, timelines and exceptions. Officials emphasized that the policy focuses on disclosures and conflicts rather than automatically prohibiting secondary work.
The ordinance’s text appears in the council packet as Article 149, "Code of Ethics," which enumerates incompatible acts and sets standards of conduct; the council described it as among the more comprehensive local ethics policies in the Commonwealth. The council did not record any amendments at final reading.
What’s next: Officials said HR will provide copies of the adopted policy and schedule training so employees understand disclosure procedures and how the policy will be applied. The council’s formal vote adopted the ordinance on final reading and it will be reflected in the city codified ordinances.
