CHESAPEAKE -- City Council members agreed last week to begin compiling a code of ethics policy for the city's elected officials.
Currently, council members do not have an ethics policy, only a Rules of Order and Procedure. Council member Robert Ike made the request for one. The council's agreement to establish a policy followed news reports in August of Mayor Rick West asking the former city attorney in 2022 to look into an issue West's stepbrother was experiencing to help the family member avoid spending thousands of dollars for legal advice.
The decision to move forward was reached by consensus in an Oct. 8 work session. Ike initially proposed adopting the code of ethics formally posted on the city's website for city employees. However, City Manager Chris Price said city employees haven't been following that policy for more than a decade. Instead, city workers abide by a doctrine more focused on customer service called the Customer "CARES" standards, with "CARES" standing for courteousness, attentiveness, responsiveness, empowerment and stewardship.
But both Ike and council member Don Carey pushed for a more nuanced code of ethics specific to elected officials, with more explicit provisions for issues like conflicts of interests and improper influence, for example.
Price said those ideals are captured under "empowerment," which calls for employees to use "integrity to address our customers' needs."
Ike said it's a code sufficient for employees but pales to what council members should be beholden to.
"Whether it's conflicts of interests, financial mismanagement or using the office for personal gain, these violations damage not just the individuals involved but the integrity of the entire system," Ike said. "We have the power to demand accountability. We have the power to insist that our leaders uphold the ethical standards we expect."
Carey and West also had questions about how such a code would be enforced, and West said there should be some mechanism included to determine whether a violation has occurred.
Council member Jeff Bunn suggested not enacting any code of ethics beyond the CARES standard until the newly elected council members assume their roles in January. Council member Amanda Newins offered to take the lead compiling a code of ethics, looking to places like James City County for a model and implementing provisions for conflicts of interest, closed sessions and confidentiality, for example. Council member Ella Ward volunteered to work with Newins on the task. Newins said they would come back to council for further discussion and input before adoption.
"Council member Ike said it best: if our employees follow it, then we should follow it," Newins said. "We should follow what they're following though, and not some old document."