Palmer Lake trustees to weigh ethics code limiting individual control of staff
The proposal would set conduct and conflict-of-interest standards, outline a process for complaints and reaffirm that trustees act as a board rather than directing town staff individually.
The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees is scheduled to consider Thursday a proposed ethics code that would set conduct standards and clarify that individual trustees generally cannot direct town staff or commit town resources on their own.
The 6 p.m. agenda lists the proposal as Resolution 33-2026. The meeting agenda lists it for consideration; the code remains a proposal pending board action.
Under the draft, the Board would act collectively, while the Town Administrator and town organization would handle day-to-day operations. Trustees could raise concerns, seek information and propose agenda items, but requests for staff work or changes to administrative priorities generally would go through the Town Administrator. An individual trustee could not assign work to employees, supervise or discipline them, or countermand administrative decisions.
The proposed rules also address meeting conduct, public communications, electronic messages, records, conflicts of interest, gifts, confidential information and use of town resources. Trustees would be expected to disclose potential conflicts and seek guidance from the Town Attorney. When the law requires a trustee to disqualify themselves, the draft says they could not vote, deliberate or try to influence the decision, subject to what the law allows. It also cautions against using messages or serial one-to-one communications to deliberate outside a properly noticed meeting.
For alleged violations, the proposed code calls for minor concerns to be addressed informally where possible. Serious, repeated or disputed allegations could go to the full Board. Before imposing a formal sanction, the affected trustee would receive notice and an opportunity to respond; the Board could use an impartial fact-finding process when needed.
Possible responses range from counseling or training to a formal reprimand, public censure, removal from a committee or liaison assignment, or referral to an enforcement authority. Removal from elected office would be possible only when authorized by law and through the required legal process. The draft also cautions against using sanctions to punish a trustee for an unpopular policy position or vote.
The proposed code would supplement existing town and state law rather than override it.