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Committee decides mayor and commissioners remain excluded from employee political-activity restriction
Summary
The committee debated Section 3.08 item E (restrictions on city employees' political activity) and voted to keep language that excludes the mayor and commissioners from the prohibition on using city titles for endorsements.
The committee reviewed Section 3.08 item E, the provision restricting city employees from using their titles to support candidates. The city attorney noted the current draft excludes the mayor and commissioners; members debated whether elected officials should be able to endorse candidates and whether exclusion risks conflicts of interest when a sitting mayor or commissioner campaigns.
After discussion emphasizing both courtesy among elected officials and the realities of endorsements, a motion to leave the language as written (excluding mayor and commissioners from the restriction) carried on a roll-call vote. Public commenters urged stricter controls given past instances of electioneering from the dais.
The committee recorded the debate and voted to retain the current exclusion for mayor and commissioners; staff will include the discussion summary in the packet.
