Council votes to require reporting of city gifts after debate over mayoral acceptance

Danbury City Council on July 21 voted to require reporting to the Council of any gifts made to the city, a change intended to increase transparency about donations accepted by the mayor’s office.

Council Member Fay sponsored the motion to require reporting (seconded by Council Member Coelho); the motion passed 11–8 after debate about whether the Commission’s draft—allowing the mayor to accept gifts up to $5,000 without mandatory prior Council notice—provided sufficient public disclosure. Legal counsel Joseph Mortellti explained the Commission’s drafting rationale and how historical thresholds had been adjusted to reflect current monetary values.

Supporters of the reporting requirement said the public benefits from knowing when donations are accepted and urged that donations be presented to the Council to ensure transparency. Opponents expressed concern about administrative burden and whether the rule applied to gifts to the mayor personally versus gifts to the City; Council President Buzaid clarified the amendment addresses donations to the City accepted by the mayor’s office.

The Council asked the Charter Revision Commission to clarify the intended threshold mechanics and reporting procedures, including whether existing charter language about amounts "in excess of $5,000" remains applicable. The matter was recorded for follow-up; the Council’s referral does not itself change the Charter until the Commission incorporates the Council’s recommendation and any statutory or legal review is completed.

Next steps: The Council transmitted its recommended changes to the Charter Revision Commission and requested clarification on the Commission’s intent and drafting choices before finalizing any Charter language.