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Employees can’t be a city leader (new law)

Published (4/8/2010)
By Kris Berggren
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Full-time, permanent employees of a city will be prohibited from serving as mayor or on the city council.

The new law, signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty March 30, takes effect for elections held or appointments made on or after Aug. 1, 2010.

Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound), who sponsors the law with Sen. Gen Olson (R-Minnetrista), said it is consistent with other statutes regarding school board and county employees serving as elected officials.

David Osmek, a Mound City Council member, told the House Local Government Division March 15 the law would have prevented some ongoing conflicts of interest. He cited the case of a city employee participating in closed union contract negotiations, which had a direct effect on the Mound administrative code, and in turn, his own salary.

In another instance, the council had to decide on home water meters based on what they later learned was incomplete information given by one of its members who worked in that field and favored a particular kind of meter.

HF3350*/ SF2953/CH206

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