City Silently Revises Ethics Code Amidst Controversial Complaint

Maricopa City Council members approved significant changes to the city’s code of ethics during a meeting on Thursday. This decision was prompted by a complaint made in April against Councilmember Vincent Manfredi, after an incident involving a civilian attack.

Effective October 30, only city officials will be allowed to file ethics complaints against one another. This revision aims to create a structured approach to handling such grievances and outlines the processes for evaluating complaints and possible disciplinary actions. Additionally, it clarifies under what circumstances the city manager or city attorney may dismiss a complaint.

In April, Terry Clark, a local resident, lodged a notarized complaint against Manfredi, accusing him of “bullying, name-calling, and being unprofessional” during discussions on city matters. Clark and his wife expressed their belief that Manfredi should adopt a more diplomatic tone and offer a public apology for his actions.

Despite the complaint, council members unanimously decided not to act on it, emphasizing their intent to restrict ethics filings to city officials only. However, the council has now formalized this precedent.

Manfredi noted potential misuse of the code of ethics, cautioning that even with restrictions, the policy could be weaponized for political purposes. “It’s supposed to keep each other in check and facilitate a conversation,” he remarked, while highlighting instances of past conflicts within local councils that resulted in costly complaints.

The update to the ethics code marks a significant shift in governance within Maricopa, reflecting ongoing concerns about accountability and proper conduct among elected officials.