Cape Girardeau council approves new city ordinances concerning conflicts of interest, financial disclosures

The Cape Girardeau City Council approved an ordinance Monday, Aug. 19, that amends and readopts rules referring to conflicts of interest and financial disclosures.

These are the following changes to the ordinances, as stated in the agenda report:

“Sec. 2-90 — adds definition of ‘decision-making public servant’”.

“Sec. 2-92(6) — regarding performance of services, adds ‘firm or corporation’ after person”.

“Sec. 2-93 — regarding prohibited acts, adds ‘or any agency of the city’ after city”.

“Sec. 2-95(c) and (e) — adds ‘candidate for elected office’ relating to conflicts of interest and filing of financial interest statements by candidates”.

“Sec. 2-97(b) — defines penalty for candidate not timely filing financial interest statements.”

City Clerk Gayle Conrad said the changes made to the city ordinances involving both conflicts of interest and financial disclosures reflect more of what the state statutes say.

“Our current ordinance does not require candidates for elected positions to file a financial disclosure statement. And so this ordinance would require candidates to file and it would also set a deadline for penalty if they’re not filed,” Conrad said.

She said the state statute says there is a monetary penalty if they do not file and a removal from the ballot after 21 days if they haven’t filed. While the city ordinance is similar, there would be no monetary value placed on not filing but the person would be removed from the ballot if the disclosure is not filed in 21 days.

Conrad said the conflict-of-interest statement also revolves around financial transactions.

“If it’s over a $500 transaction directly to the city or agency of the city, that you would have to disclose that to the state,” she said. “The ordinance does address elected officials and certain appointed officials, including the city manager, the city attorney (and) the finance director.”

Ward 6 Councilman Mark Bliss said he thinks the disclosure of this information can only “help the democratic process.”

“I think it’s important that the public have faith in the elected officials and the candidates that are running,” he said.

The council passed the vote 6 to 0 as Ward 1 Councilman Dan Presson was absent.