With a newly elected mayor and a new councilmember from southeast Springfield since April ballots were counted, elected officials each got a thick binder filled with written procedures and ethics policies.
They also got half a workday of fast-paced coaching on how to comply with city charter and city code — which are often more stringent than state law, says City Attorney Jordan Paul, on the job since early last year.
In describing policy on "gifts and favors," Paul told Council, "basically I interpret [it] to mean, don't take bribes."
Eight of the nine councilmembers attended at least a portion of what Mayor Jeff Schrag called a “training session.” Nobody from the general public turned up. City Clerk Anita Cotter says officials hold these trainings for new and experienced councilmembers after each municipal election cycle.
