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Council narrows ethics complaint process after hours-long debate
Summary
Ferrysburg council approved Ordinance No. 336 to amend the city ethics code and adopt a narrower complaint form, prompting sharp objections from one council member who warned the change would 'gut' existing charter protections.
The Ferrysburg City Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 336, an amendment to chapter 32 of the city code that restates the city’s ethics provisions and introduces a narrowed complaint form, following an extended debate at the May 19 meeting.
Supporters and city staff said the updated ordinance and form are intended to define which behaviors the municipal ethics process will cover and to reduce frivolous complaints that require legal review. Craig, a city staff member who explained the revisions, told the council the new language specifies prohibited conduct so complaints can be screened locally before engaging the city attorney, which officials say should save taxpayer money.
A council member strongly opposed the change, arguing the proposed complaint form would remove avenues for citizens to raise charter-based misconduct and would not address the related concerns about complaint costs and potential conflicts of interest with the city attorney. “This is garbage,” the council member said, arguing the form is too narrow and would leave citizens with fewer local remedies for alleged violations of the charter.
After debate about process, scope and whether some complaints must still be referred to state-level prosecutors, the council approved the ordinance by roll call. Council member Saas voted no; Council members Kate, DeWitt, Murdoch, Sterling and Mayor Pro Tem Montgomery voted yes.
The council’s action updates how the city will receive and process certain ethics complaints; supporters said it provides clarity and a way to manage municipal legal costs, while dissenting members said it does not solve the underlying concerns about costs and conflicts of interest. The ordinance takes effect as provided in the city code; the council did not immediately create a separate measure to address complaint costs or attorney conflict-of-interest remedies.
