City Council Approves Conflict of Interest Form

The Rye City Council unanimously voted to adopt a new Conflict of Interest form Wednesday. The form has been discussed at several council meetings over the last few months and was created in the wake of the Rye Golf Club scandal as a way to prevent future situations. The city already has a local law titled “Code of Ethics,” of which the former general manager of RGC was clearly in violation, but it did not require employees to sign a form.

The council voted 6-0 to approve the form started at page 38 here, with the removal of the Deputy City Clerk, for union reasons, and all Commissioner and Board members as required signatories.

Those required to sign the form yearly will be the Mayor, City Council, Department Heads and Assistant Department Heads. Members of the City Boards, Committees and Commissions would not be required to sign the Conflict of Interest form but the Oath of Office card has been updated to note their responsibilities under the City Code of Ethics.

The resolution reads:
“Additionally, a new Conflict of Interest form will be added to the City bid packet to be included by all vendors submitting bids for City work as well as a Non-Collusion Statement for any Bid Specification prepared by the City or provided by an outside Vendor.”
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Do you think the form will help prevent future thefts or misconduct in Rye? Tell us in the comments.