Council delays ethics-ordinance vote after members press for stricter employee reporting and board rules

Taylor City Council postponed a second reading of proposed changes to the city's ethics ordinance to Sept. 3, after council members and residents urged more time to resolve reporting rules and appointment standards.

Councilwoman Daniels (S6) said the draft lacks clear reporting requirements for city employees and asked that any gift or donation language address whether employees — not just elected officials — must disclose gifts. "My understanding is that doesn't apply to employees," Daniels said, pressing for an explicit, enforceable reporting mechanism rather than deferring oversight to campaign‑finance rules.

City Attorney Plato (S9) told the council that the draft already limits some donations (noting a $150 annual maximum in section 3a for food/gifts) and advised the council it could remove the words "or policy" from a confidentiality clause so the ordinance mirrors state law. "We can simply state that any employee who acquires information in the course of his duties, which by law is confidential, shall not divulge it to an unauthorized person," Plato said. Plato also cautioned that residency requirements for ethics-board appointees are constrained by state precedent.

Members also debated the rules for appointing ethics-board members, including a proposal requiring a 0.667 vote for approval that some members said could be changed back to a simple majority. Resident comment (S12) expressed concern about the 0.667 threshold. Mayor Wooley (S8) and staff asked councilmembers to submit specific wording so the administration and legal team can prepare a cleaner draft for the September meeting.

The council voted to postpone rather than take final action, giving staff and council time to incorporate clearer reporting language, examine oversight (HR or other mechanisms), and reconcile the appointment threshold.