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Ward 4 commissioner urges oversight of Shawnee Ford, cites NDAs and alleged improper conduct
Summary
Ward 4 Commissioner Ashley Fichtner, via a statement read at the meeting, alleged that Shawnee Ford’s CEO and board chair made untruthful statements about elected officials, claimed recordings later found not to exist, and used nondisclosure agreements that impeded elected officials’ visibility into projects; she requested enforcement of reporting, clarification on NDAs, and a rotating elected seat.
Ward 4 Commissioner Ashley Fichtner said in a written statement read into the record that she had concerns about Shawnee Ford's governance and transparency, and she requested a number of corrective actions from the commission. The statement says Shawnee Ford has failed to comply consistently with quarterly reporting requirements—"to date, I've seen this occur 1 to 2 times"—and that the city and county together have provided "over $600,000" in matching funds, which she said warrants elected representation on the Shawnee Ford board.
Fichtner's statement also accused the CEO and the board chair of mounting a multi‑week campaign that included "untruthful statements about the mayor and me," seeking their removal, and claiming possession of recordings "that were later determined not to exist." The statement raised concerns about nondisclosure agreements that have prevented elected officials from reviewing agreements affecting public planning and funding; the statement concluded: "Public funds require public accountability." The transcript shows the statement was read by City Attorney Joe Vondren on behalf of Commissioner Fichtner.
