Town administrator cites ethics policy amid complaint about council interference

Town Administrator Trevor Aitken told the Star Valley Ranch Town Council work session on Jan. 27 that a councilmember's direct interactions with town employees had created problems and read page 15 of the council handbook outlining the ethics policy. Aitken said the council is required to work through the Town Administrator when addressing matters involving staff, and he warned that the interactions had created an atmosphere of intimidation. He said such actions "made it very difficult for him to perform his duties."

Councilman Merrill asked for specific examples of interference; Aitken said he would provide a more comprehensive list later but cited interactions involving school buses, criticism of employees, interference with a contractor (Avail), and an interaction involving Jim Rogers, the SMO, and a citation that the employee questioned. Mayor Rok intervened during the exchange, noting she allowed Aitken to read the handbook section after a councilmember requested proof of the policy. The mayor then moved the meeting on to the next agenda item. The administrator also reiterated that operational matters should be routed through his office to avoid undermining staff and town functions.