Bloomfield Hills

Bloomfield Hills adopts code of ethics for boards and commissions

By Tiffany Esshaki
C & G Staff Writer

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — The Bloomfield Hills City Commission voted Feb. 14 to adopt a code of ethics for elected officials and members of appointed boards, commissions and committees. The 11-part code outlines how officials should act in situations while holding their post, from business and financial morality to issues of confidentiality.

The code had been in the works for some time, according to Mayor Pro Tem Sarah McClure. She and City Clerk Amy Burton developed it based on similar documents referenced on the Michigan Municipal League website. Burton said she took items from Algonac, Battle Creek, Troy and West Bloomfield, among others, to develop a document that outlines general policies for the city’s officials to abide by.

“The policy started at the Planning Commission and zoning level. This conversation has just transpired from that. My take on it is it’s just a good policy, it’s just a good thing to do,” said Burton.

Before voting to approve the new code at their meeting, commissioners asked City Attorney Bill Hampton a number of questions concerning the document, including potential penalties for officials who violate the ethics they’ve agreed to. Hampton said penalties would be decided on a case-by-case basis, and would likely be more of a black mark on the official’s record rather than an actual punishment.

“If a commissioner discloses information from a closed session, they might get a public censure. That carries some weight with it when it comes to re-election time,” said Hampton.

He added that though penalties may be enforced, commissioners would not lose power in a vote if they violate the ethics code.

“Say there was a vote of 3-2 in some proposition, and someone wanted to attack the vote of the majority by saying one or two of them have violated ethics policies. Violation does not discount the rule of the commission.”

The commission voted unanimously to approve the code, and in doing so applied the policies therein to themselves as well as other boards and commissions in Bloomfield Hills, including the Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board. Burton said she’s unaware of any consequences if a board member chooses not to sign the code. She’s not too concerned, though, as the policies in the code weren’t drafted in response to a specific act of unethical behavior in city government.

“I would say it’s putting in writing a common-sense approach to their elected office. It’s things they know, things they do currently. It’s just putting it in writing for them to acknowledge with a signature,” said Burton.

To view the code of ethics document, visit the city of Bloomfield Hills website at www.BloomfieldHillsMI.net.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Tiffany Esshaki at tesshaki@candgnews.com or at ( ) - .