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Council tables ethics ordinance changes, schedules public hearing
Summary
City Attorney Adam Nelson presented proposed ethics-complaint procedure changes — including an external hearing officer, separate consideration of complaints, a refundable $100 deposit, and suspension during elections — and the council voted to table the proposal and add a public hearing to the next agenda.
City Attorney Adam Nelson presented a package of proposed changes to the city's ethics-complaint procedures at the Washington City Council meeting on March 9, 2026, including appointing an external hearing officer for investigations, requiring separate consideration of complaints against multiple individuals to preserve quorum, instituting a $100 deposit refundable if a complaint proceeds to a hearing, and suspending ethics complaint hearings during election periods.
Councilman Larry Hill asked for more community input on the proposals; Attorney Nelson suggested holding a public hearing at the next council meeting. Councilman Calvin J. Wiggs III moved to table the discussion and add a public hearing to the next meeting agenda; Councilwoman Kimberly J. Rainey seconded the motion. The motion carried with all present councilmembers voting yes.
Mayor Bruce Bailey had earlier urged a broader amendment to the city's ethics and decorum policy to include language that officials are accountable "while in public view," saying elected officials represent the city 24/7. The council did not take final action on the ethics ordinance at this meeting; the public hearing will provide an opportunity for residents to comment and for the council to consider revisions before any formal adoption.
The minutes record the council's direction to schedule community input; follow-up will be taken at the next regular meeting where the public hearing is added to the agenda.
