Argyle Town Council members want town leaders, whether appointed or elected, to be on their best behavior while representing the town.
Council examined creating a code of conduct for the elected and appointed officials at the July 17 council meeting. No action was taken.
The background
Over the last year, staff has received requests from council to hold a work session to discuss a possible code of conduct for council as well as appointed boards and commissions. This code is intended to “provide integrity and expectations of members in their interactions with staff, fellow board members and the public,” according to a council agenda memo.
The details
A proposed code of conduct was in the agenda packet to begin the discussion along with a few other samples from other cities as a reference. Staff said they hope the council provides feedback so a draft code may be presented at the next regular council meeting to be in place before the next annual board appointments in October.
Among the code proposals were provisions on conduct in public meetings, use of electronic devices in meetings, accepting gifts and favors and handling confidential information.
Council members discussed what they think should be in a document that would govern council and boards and commissions. Council Member Ronald Schmidt said the matter has been on his mind since 2018.
“When it comes to board and commissioners, etc., I think there should be no question as far as the conduct we expect from them,” he said, noting an individual could be removed from a commission or board for misconduct, but there are different parameters for a council member.
“But it doesn’t mean that our behavior should be condoned,” he said.
He said he wants a set of expectations for behavior, and he wanted to ensure there is participation from boards and commissions.
Mayor Rick Bradford said a code will set a standard for how officials act in public during meetings, and appointed members should know how they should behave when they are on a board and the way that they convey information.
“And we should hold ourselves to a high standard,” he said.
Bradford added the legal aspect of a code of conduct has different applications, and the town code is something for appointees and elected officials to self-police.
Council Member Cynthia Hermann wondered whether there should be a provision in the code regarding social media use. Town counsel Brenda McDonald suggested appointees and elected officials read, sign and act in accord with the code of conduct because that acknowledgement creates a “moral obligation” for people to live up to the code.
The outlook
McDonald will work with Town Administrator Erika McComis on provisions for a code of conduct.
