Ellsworth council votes to censure mayor after heated personnel dispute; AG office notified

A motion to formally censure the mayor passed at the Oct. 28 City of Ellsworth council meeting after a lengthy, sometimes heated discussion about personnel conduct and alleged hostile treatment of a city employee.

Councilor S6 told the body he had contacted the Kansas attorney general’s office and supplied an attorney with emails and other records because of alleged improper handling of executive-session material and a hostile work environment involving city staff. “I called the Kansas State Attorney General’s office because I feel we have alleged… the mayor has been creating a hostile work environment,” S6 said (S6).

Council debate escalated as several members objected and defended procedural norms; the mayor (S3) acknowledged personnel problems and introduced a separate ethics-plan discussion. After motions and seconds were offered, the chair called a voice vote on a motion to censure the mayor for conduct described by councilors; the motion carried. “Councilor Panzer has made a motion to censor the mayor for a hostile work environment and councilor Bernard to second that motion,” S3 said before recording the outcome (S3).

Councilors also discussed that the attorney general’s office had requested emails and transcripts and that multiple parties might be reviewed as part of any inquiry. One councilor emphasized the importance of refraining from discussing personnel matters in public meetings to limit liability, and staff were directed to gather requested materials.

The council did not adopt formal disciplinary actions beyond the censure vote at the meeting; members said the AG process and staff follow-up would proceed outside the council’s public deliberations. The council chair said further work on an ethics plan would continue in coming weeks.