Is Code of Conduct next for Mandeville?

By Chad Ruiz
St. Tammany News
Published on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:50 AM CDT



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.


Comments

4 comment(s)

    Randy Who YST wrote on Oct 1, 2008 11:21 AM:

    " When are they going to march into Slidell and clean up that mess? I realize Corruption is what made Louisiana famous, but do ya'll ever want to get ahead in this world? "

    Doug wrote on Sep 30, 2008 7:05 PM:

    " I can say in my personal dealings with both Price & Ms. Lenfant that they want to pocket whatever they can - and use their position for personal gain. They DO NOT care about the citizens of mandeville or the consequences of their actions. They will be reminded of their actions come election time! Also, don't you think the committee should consists of representatives from the state and local CITIZENS, NOT a single person or interest from the city council - they are ALL the reason the mess began! "

    Jack wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:54 PM:

    " I have worked 17 years for companies that have required more details than the city of mandeville. Maybe it is time to look at whom is doing the city statements because the IRS requires more proof and documentation than the city has provided. Lets get real folks!Bet you were all once corporate expense account people... huh? "

    ohthedrama wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:19 AM:

    " Another stall tactic because LA ethics laws are pretty clear on this. The City should have been following these laws for the last 12 yrs. Good try Trilby. Make the citizens THINK you are doing something. When the audit came out Council should have demanded resignations from the abusers,you and Coogan too and take cards and vehicles away. Instead you insult our intelligence by implementing P&P that should have been in place decades ago. What of the abusers? They won't do anything because the "CODE" was initiated AFTER the fact. Get them all out! Wakeup Mville "

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