The Jonesboro city council voted against a revised code of conduct for elected officials on Monday night, after a heated debate that lasted for more than an hour. The code of conduct, which was drafted by a committee of council members and citizens, aimed to establish ethical standards and guidelines for the behavior of the mayor, council members, and other elected officials in the city.
Why the code of conduct was proposed
The idea of creating a code of conduct for elected officials in Jonesboro emerged after several incidents of alleged misconduct and controversy involving some council members and the mayor in the past year. Some of these incidents include:
- A council member being accused of sexual harassment by a former city employee, who filed a lawsuit against the city and the council member in February 2023.
- A council member being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in March 2023, and later pleading guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving.
- A council member being censured by the council for violating the city’s social media policy in April 2023, after posting derogatory comments about another council member and the mayor on Facebook.
- The mayor being sued by a former city manager in May 2023, who claimed that the mayor fired him without cause and violated his contract.
The code of conduct committee, which was formed in June 2023, consisted of four council members and four citizens appointed by the mayor. The committee met several times over the course of six months, and consulted with experts and other municipalities to draft the code of conduct. The committee presented the final draft of the code of conduct to the council on Monday night, hoping to get it approved and adopted.
What the code of conduct contained
The code of conduct contained 12 sections, covering topics such as:
- The roles and responsibilities of elected officials
- The core values and principles of public service
- The expectations and standards of conduct for elected officials
- The procedures and sanctions for addressing violations of the code of conduct
- The process and criteria for reviewing and amending the code of conduct
Some of the specific provisions in the code of conduct included:
- Elected officials shall act with honesty, integrity, respect, and civility towards each other, city staff, and the public
- Elected officials shall avoid any conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest, in their official duties and decisions
- Elected officials shall refrain from using their position or authority for personal gain or advantage, or to influence the outcome of any matter before the council
- Elected officials shall not engage in any conduct that is unlawful, unethical, discriminatory, harassing, abusive, or disruptive
- Elected officials shall not disclose or misuse any confidential or privileged information obtained in their official capacity
- Elected officials shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, and rules governing their conduct
- Elected officials shall cooperate with any investigation or inquiry into their conduct, and provide truthful and complete information
- Elected officials shall report any violations of the code of conduct by themselves or others to the appropriate authority
- Elected officials shall accept responsibility and accountability for their actions and decisions, and acknowledge and correct any errors or mistakes
- Elected officials shall adhere to the code of conduct at all times, and encourage and support others to do the same
The code of conduct also outlined the possible sanctions for violating the code of conduct, ranging from a verbal or written warning, to a public reprimand, to a suspension or removal from office. The code of conduct also specified the process for filing, investigating, and resolving complaints against elected officials, as well as the rights and responsibilities of the complainants and the respondents.
How the council voted on the code of conduct
The council voted 6-5 against the code of conduct, with one council member abstaining. The vote was preceded by a lengthy and heated discussion, in which the council members expressed their views and concerns about the code of conduct. Some of the arguments for and against the code of conduct were:
- Supporters of the code of conduct argued that it was necessary and overdue, given the recent incidents of misconduct and controversy involving some elected officials. They said that the code of conduct would promote trust, transparency, and accountability in the city government, and enhance the public’s confidence and respect for the elected officials. They also praised the work and effort of the code of conduct committee, and said that the code of conduct was fair, reasonable, and comprehensive.
- Opponents of the code of conduct argued that it was unnecessary and overreaching, given the existing laws and policies that already govern the conduct of elected officials. They said that the code of conduct would infringe on the rights and freedoms of the elected officials, and create a hostile and divisive environment in the city government. They also criticized the work and process of the code of conduct committee, and said that the code of conduct was vague, subjective, and arbitrary.
The mayor, who supported the code of conduct, expressed his disappointment and frustration with the council’s decision. He said that he would continue to uphold the highest standards of conduct in his office, and urged the council members to do the same. He also thanked the code of conduct committee for their service and dedication, and said that he hoped that the council would reconsider the code of conduct in the future.
The chair of the code of conduct committee, who was also a council member, said that he was saddened and surprised by the council’s rejection of the code of conduct. He said that he believed that the code of conduct was in the best interest of the city and the public, and that it reflected the values and expectations of the community. He said that he respected the council’s decision, but hoped that they would revisit the code of conduct at a later date.
The council’s vote on the code of conduct was met with mixed reactions from the public. Some citizens applauded the council for standing up for their rights and rejecting the code of conduct, while others condemned the council for failing to adopt the code of conduct and ignoring the public’s demand for ethical and accountable leadership.
