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Residents urge Milton council to close ethics ‘loophole’ after $35,000 settlement tied to former mayor’s son
Summary
Two citizens told the council during public comment that a $35,000 settlement involving a former mayor’s son appears to stem from hiring decisions the former mayor made and called on the council to revise the employee handbook exemption for elected officials; speakers said they will pursue public records and cited ‘‘RCW 42 35.’’
Two Milton residents used the public‑comment period at the July 6 council meeting to press elected officials to close what they called an ethics ‘loophole’ after a consent‑agenda settlement they characterized as improper.
Jackie Strader told the council she believes the city approved a $35,000 settlement involving the son of the former mayor and urged the council to direct the administration to change the city’s employee handbook so elected officials are not exempt from nepotism or related ethics rules. Strader said she will file public‑records requests to obtain more documents and that citizens have a right to know how the funds were spent.
"My moral code won't allow me to sit silently anymore," Strader said, summarizing her understanding of the timeline: the individual served as a temporary summer worker, was later hired into public works on probation, was subsequently let go and then engaged counsel; she told the council she believes the $35,000 settlement was approved on the consent agenda.
Jacqueline Whalen echoed those concerns and urged council members to direct staff to examine the handbook and close exemptions that currently apply to elected officials. Whalen also praised the city’s July 4 events and thanked police for their response to fireworks in Triangle Park.
The speakers referenced "RCW 42 35" as the state ethics code they believe is relevant; city staff and council did not present an immediate factual rebuttal at the meeting. Councilmembers acknowledged the concerns and several said staff and council should review hiring and ethics processes; no formal motion to change policy was made on the floor during the meeting. Strader said she intends to pursue public‑records requests to learn more.
