- Union officials are considering a code of conduct centered on professionalism, behavior and dress standards for elected officials.
- Commissioner John Mefford first raised the idea in July, initially focusing on establishing a more professional dress code as Union grows.
- Commissioners took no legislative action Aug. 17, but discussions are expected to continue as the city works toward a potential municipal order.
The City of Union is contemplating a code of conduct for elected officials, centering on their behavior, professionalism and dress standards during city meetings.
During a caucus meeting on Monday, the Union City Commission discussed potential tenets of a professional code of conduct for elected officials, with the goal of creating an outline that could later be adopted as a municipal order.
Union Mayor Larry Solomon framed the proposal around three broad categories, including professionalism, behavior and dress. Solomon said that since elected officials represent the city, they should be expected to conduct themselves professionally at meetings, community events and at the city building.
“I heard three points: professionalism, behavior, and dress, and those are the key elements that we’re looking for,” Solomon said. “We want to make sure that we represent the City of Union and we act and look professional.”
To promote professionalism, the commission proposed measures such as arriving on time for government meetings and generally serving as a positive representative of the city within the community.
Regarding behavior, the commission’s preliminary discussions included provisions such as requiring elected officials to treat other officials, city employees and residents with civility.
Solomon went further, proposing language that could penalize, censure, or even remove a public official from office if they face serious trouble with law enforcement. He cited being charged with Driving Under the Influence as an example.
On dress code, Solomon recommended that elected officials avoid wearing casual clothing, such as T-shirts, tank tops, and shorts, at meetings. Instead, he favored business-casual attire such as polo shirts, khakis, or dress jeans, with city-logo apparel as an alternative.
Commissioner Kimberly Tuyn said she broadly supported the ideas raised during the initial discussions.
“I’m basically supportive of this with the intent of professionalism and behavior,” Tuyn said. “It’s just sticking with that, and then at some point in the future, if the commission decides to go after process a little bit more, I think there’s an opportunity for that, but I think this is a good starting place.”
Solomon said discussions would continue at upcoming commission meetings. The body took no legislative action following the conversation.
Commissioner John Mefford first pitched a code of conduct for elected officials at a prior meeting on July 27. At the meeting, Mefford explained that his main motivation was for officials to dress more professionally at city meetings.
Mefford expressed his desire for city officials and representatives to demonstrate a level of professionalism that reflects Union’s continued residential and commercial growth.
“When we were a Union of 1,000 people, and we came in here in blue jeans and T-shirts, that was okay because of who we were at the time,” Mefford said on July 27. “We got much more commercialized. We have a lot more neighborhoods. We have more people joining the meetings, and I just think it puts forth a positive professional image if we have some sort of dress code.”
