Muncie Adopts Ethics Commission Ordinance, Ro Selvey Spars with MRC Member
12.3.2024 / News / munciepostdemocrat.com
At the last council meeting of 2024, Muncie’s own ethics commission was created after the passing of Ordinance 37-24. The creation of the commission has been in discussion since April of 2023 by both former and current council-members, and sets a new precedent for transparency in Muncie’s local government. Although the creation of the new code of ethics in Muncie’s municipal code has been in discussion for a lengthy period of time, through public meetings and other discussions at City Hall, there were complications to last night’s discussion nearly leading to delays.
Republican council-members and the legal team of the Mayor Ridenour’s administration attempted to slow down the ordinance from being adopted, although there was pushback both from individuals involved in its creation and from the public. After small amends were made to the ordinance, legal issues were cited by assistant attorney Aubrey Crist. However Council attorney Dan Gibson clarified that recommendations by AIM (Accelerate Indiana Municipalities) have been addressed and that further amends do not have to be made. Individuals mentioned that prior to recently there were no mentions of legal complications from the administration, leading many to believing that the purpose of these concerns was to stall the process.
After an unsuccessful attempt to table the ordinance by conservative members, an individual closely involved in the ordinance Chip Taylor went to the podium to advocate that the ordinance be adopted without the changes suggested by the Mayor’s legal team. Additional comments came from former HR Director Mikah Wilson and former Council President Jeff Robinson.
The final vote was 9-0 despite the attempt at tabling the item.
Ethics Commission Ordinance starts at 42:00 mark.
Prior to the adoption of Ord. 37-24 Andrew Dale, a recently reappointed member of the Muncie Redevelopment Commission and a total stranger to the Post-Democrat, gave a report on the current status of the MRC. In his statement he raised concerns about how the MRC is being handled both by Ridenour and the MRC Director Jeff Howe. Dale gave council the following suggestions:
1) City Council could pass or revise an ordinance stipulating more conducive durations of time to receive requests for proposals and bids. And, if only one proposal or bid is received a mechanism could be put in place to evaluate why a sole bid or proposal should or should not be accepted;
2) City Council could pass an ordinance that ensures that no chief executive or public board or commission can commit EDIT and TIF funding without first demonstrating compatibility with an adopted strategic plan or a prospective project which has been previously shared with the public and received public input, and acknowledged by City Council;
3) City Council could pass an ordinance that stipulates the conditions, and the demonstrable value, for which a property can be sold for a minimal amount of funds or conveyed at no monetary gain;
4) City Council could pass an ordinance that prohibits a mayor and any other board or commission from rebating, prorating or delivering any amount of tangible value in exchange for property taxes to be paid without first securing City Council approval.
Following his prewritten statement council-member Ro Selvey expressed anger with Dale regarding a vote from him against acquiring property between 620 and 640 N. Walnut Street. Selvey told Dale: “You had the opportunity as an MRC person to decide what goes across that [Muncie Central]. I got news for you, I don’t think you’re gonna like what is gonna go across from that. Because I’m sure you’re gonna come up here and you’re going to oppose it, but you had every opportunity to take control of it, and you did not.” Despite three other MRC members voting opposite of Dale, Director Howe eventually did not pursue obtaining an appraisal.
Additionally, on the still-ongoing AFSCME negotiations it was revealed that no members of the council have been allowed by the administration to be present at the meetings. Although member Dale Basham has been involved in both fire and police negotiations, he has not been permitted to be at the city employee’s union meetings. In coming weeks there are expected to be conclusions to negotiations for all three groups.