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Feb. 27, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: We have followed with interest the discussion regarding the conflict-of-interest policy for our city boards, commissions, and councils and are grateful that these groups are treating the issue with such care.
The principal concern we have is that the current proposed changes to the city’s policy do not provide adequate guidance to Council members.
We believe that conflict-ofinterest policies serve to ensure that individuals and the boards on which they serve do not act or vote with undue bias in the event that they have a tie to local agencies, institutions, or organizations coming before their board or council with a request. Of course, we believe that our elected and named officials always strive to conduct themselves without acting on bias, but the policy itself should allow individuals to recognize that their relationship to the requesting entity could influence (for good or for ill) the issue before the board.
We ask that Lexington City Council communicate a clear definition of “conflict of interest,” establish a standard stricter than that found in the state code, and develop a process through which board and council members can consult with specific people (possibly the city or commonwealth’s attorney) regarding potential conflicts of interest.
The Board of 50 Ways Rockbridge Chris Gavaler, Ellen Mayock, Ann Olson, Tinni Sen, Stephanie Wilkinson
