Is Code of Conduct next for Mandeville?

Mandeville Mayor Pro Tem Trilby Lenfant has drafted a resolution that may ultimately result in Mandeville’s first code of conduct.

Currently bound by Louisiana ethic laws, Lenfant wants to create a separate code of conduct document similar to those adopted by other cities and corporations that “sets forth what our standards are relative to behavior,” Lenfant said.

“It’s not uncommon for cities to adopt their own code,” Lenfant said.

If the resolution passes at Thursday’s City Council meeting, a committee will be formed and a code of conduct draft will be developed. That draft would be adopted as an ordinance by the City Council where, on an annual basis, city officials and employees would sign it acknowledging they are aware of the code and pledge to follow it.

“It’s just one more internal control that I’m trying to put forth as a result of the Legislative audit,” Lenfant said. “I feel there are some things in the audit that have eroded the community’s confidence in our city’s government.”

Lenfant said Tuesday she was in the process of emailing the other council members concerning her resolution. She also expressed her intent to serve on the committee if formed.

The audit performed by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office, released in early August, contained numerous allegations of taxpayer money misuse.

Some of the misuse involved city-issued credit cards where thousands of dollars spent by Mayor Eddie Price and Finance Director Milton Stiebing was allegedly charged on meals and out of state outings with insufficient documentation justifying the expenditures. Other governmental abuse included city-issued vehicles being used for personal outings.

This resolution proposed by Lenfant is one of several other measures taken by the City Council since the scathing audit was released.

Among other things, a city-issued credit card usage policy and a travel policy have already been adopted.