Rules around paid travel could be tightened for Sioux Falls officials

Councilor who faced ethics complaint for Texas trip wants clearer guidelines

What’s legal and what’s ethical are not always synonymous.

But vague language in Sioux Falls’ City Charter about conduct expected of city employees and elected officials has repeatedly led to the city’s Board of Ethics leaning on state and federal law as its baseline when ruling on complaints.

That’s in part why Sioux Falls city councilors are being asked to retool conflict of interest canons outlined in ordinance and more clearly define what behaviors are to be avoided by not only themselves but the mayor, department heads and the hundreds of civil service employees that work for the city.

Councilor Greg Neitzert

“I’m trying to create something that (has) a little bit more clarity and addresses some of the issues of the past for the benefit of people going forward,” Councilor Greg Neitzert said Tuesday at Carnegie Town Hall while unveiling a 23-page ordinance proposal that includes new rules for public officials attending conferences and seminars paid by third parties.

NEWS: Mayor TenHaken's new budget marks millions, new borrowing for new pools across Sioux Falls