There are several important topics up for consideration at the next regular Mat-Su Borough (MSB) Assembly Meeting. Some of these include, revisions to the existing ethics code, changes to public participation and funding decisions that will guide the borough’s upcoming budget process. For a full version of the Assembly packet click here to review pending legislation and
other agenda items up for consideration at the January 17th meeting. The link provided includes the full Assembly packet, or you can view the packet by individual sections in the E-Packet sections listed.
For additional information, please contact the Office of the Borough Clerk at:
745-9683, (MSB Clerk’s main phone)
Ethics Issue Defined
As you will recall ,a while back the Mat-Su Borough Mayor was working hard to eliminate the existing ethics board and the borough ethics code all together. Due to fierce pushback from the community the Assembly decided it would be more appropriate for the ethics board to make suggested edits to the Assembly on the existing code. Fast forward to today.
On Jan. 17, the Mat-Su Borough Board of Ethics will present its recommended ethics code revisions to Mat-Su Borough Assembly. It appears that the suggested changes that will be presented are politically motivated and will further weaken the existing code it’s effectiveness. We feel that the Mat-Su residents deserve an ethics code that is up to date and fully represents the best interests of the public. Taxpayer dollars must adequately serve these interests, as should the service of our elected public officials. Assembly representatives have an obligation to uphold all federal and state laws and borough code, and must take their oath of office seriously. As part of this, the public deserves to the right to what the responsibilities are of our local government and who benefits from the decisions made by our elected officials.
The correct path forward is to allow borough residents the ability to work with the existing Ethics board to produce an ethics code that is up to date, maintains accountability and adequately represents the responsibilities our elected officials have to borough residents.
Bottom line: The assembly should send the code back to the ethics board for further work. It should ultimately adopt a borough code that keeps the ethics board independent, provides emphasis on serving the borough’s best interests, and adequately supplies the education and enforcement to make it happen.
Through a collaborative and transparent public process, we can address the issues that currently divide us and work together to find positive solutions. By using this approach, we can create a strong ethics code that reflects the needs of borough residents for the 21stcentury.
Please consider attending the regular MSB assembly meeting on Tuesday night January 17th at the borough assembly chambers to voice your concerns and urge the assembly to provide a thorough public process to revise the existing ethics code.
If you are not able to attend in person, please consider writing Assembly members to share your thoughts by clicking here.
Please let us know if you need help formulating your comments.
