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EDA commissioners call for clearer conflict‑of‑interest process, recommend statute cross‑check
Summary
Commissioners reviewed an updated fillable conflict‑of‑interest questionnaire and urged staff to reference Minnesota statute 469.098, to clarify step‑by‑step disclosure and recusal procedures, and to address perceived conflicts in a small community.
The board reviewed a revised conflict‑of‑interest questionnaire intended to be a more user‑friendly, fillable form for annual disclosure. Commissioners recommended adding an explicit reference to Minnesota statute 469.098 and clarifying whether a commissioner with a conflict may remain in the room to answer factual questions or must leave entirely, noting past practice varied.
Commissioner Alex urged a clearer written process for disclosure, investigation and board response; others observed the grant‑review subcommittee has been the main point at which recusals occurred in recent years. Several commissioners raised perception issues, saying that in a small community the appearance of a conflict can be as important as a legal interest and requested a form section addressing perceived conflicts. Staff will revise the questionnaire and process language with legal counsel and return a new draft.
