In a particular assembly on Friday, the Monument City Council voted to usher in an unbiased counsel to research the potential misappropriation of taxpayer {dollars} in help of a poll query within the Nov. 8 basic election.
The council voted 4-1 in favor of hiring Grant Van Der Jagt, a Fort Rock-based lawyer, to find out whether or not the city violated the Colorado Truthful Marketing campaign Practices act when it donated $2,500 to the native Residents for House Rule Constitution subject committee.
Council member and Mayor-elect Mitch LaKind forged the only real dissenting vote. Councilman Redmond Ramos was absent from the assembly.
The $2,500 donation was used primarily to print marketing campaign supplies that the Residents for House Rule Constitution committee mentioned have been “academic.” However, as a result of the supplies having the phrase “Vote Sure” printed on them, some residents asserted that they have been promotional and never informational, which gave the looks of the city making a partisan marketing campaign donation.
When the committee was knowledgeable of the potential violation, it repaid the cash to the city. However, a number of council members argued that an investigation was wanted to seek out if any legal guidelines have been damaged and to keep away from related incidents sooner or later.
LaKind objected to spending as a lot as $20,000 on an investigation that he believes the council might conduct by itself — particularly after the cash had been repaid.
“It’s clear to me that this board is aware of the right way to truly conduct an investigation, and that spending cash (on a lawyer) just isn’t required,” LaKind mentioned.
Mayor Professional Tem Kelly Elliott mentioned she didn’t consider the council was certified to find out whether or not any legal guidelines have been damaged.
The mayor-elect additionally raised the chance of a battle of curiosity with hiring Van Der Jagt due to a perceived relationship with council member Darcy Schoening.
A February social media submit exhibits that Van Der Jagt was listed as a “particular visitor” at a marketing campaign occasion hosted by Schoening. Moreover, LaKind mentioned an e-mail communication between Schoening and Van Der Jagt implied that the councilwoman had as soon as been a shopper.
Van Der Jagt’s mandate can be to find out if the city’s donation violated the Truthful Marketing campaign Practices Act, which disallows governments from utilizing public cash to help or oppose a marketing campaign. The council had been hoping for an ultimate report by Dec. 29, however, Van Der Jagt mentioned a radical investigation would possibly take longer.
