TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, Ward 7
SUBJECT:
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Motion from Councilor Vanessa Nordyke to direct staff to prepare a Council Policy concerning acceptance of donations.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
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MOTION:
I move to direct staff to prepare a Council Policy for Council’s consideration concerning the acceptance of donations to the City.
DISCUSSION:
I bring this motion in the interest of government, transparency and accountability. Not many Salem residents can afford to make a donation to the City of Salem. Regardless of their ability to pay, every Salem resident deserves equal access to city resources.
A clear donation policy is vital for a city government to ensure financial accountability, prevent corruption, and maintain public trust. It provides a transparent framework for accepting gifts from individuals, groups, or businesses and protects the city from conflicts of interest.
Transparency and accountability
• Ensures proper use of funds. A donation policy establishes a formal process for documenting and tracking all gifts received. This confirms that donations are used for their intended public purpose, such as enhancing parks or funding specific community programs.
• Informs the public. Transparency builds public trust by providing citizens with clear information on who is donating to the city and where their money is going. Some cities use public, searchable websites to list this information, giving taxpayers insight into how external funds are used.
Ethical safeguards and corruption prevention
• Prevents conflicts of interest. A donation policy protects city officials from allegations of favoritism. It can set standards that prevent the acceptance of gifts that could influence a city official's duties, especially if the donor has an interest in a regulatory decision or a business contract with the city.
• Avoids improper influence. Regulations can prevent a donor from receiving special treatment in exchange for a gift. This ensures that decisions are based on merit and the public good, not on the size of a donation.
• Establishes clear procedures. An official policy outlines rules for when donations can be accepted or rejected, including guidelines for accepting conditional or restricted gifts. This prevents the government from passively accepting gifts by inaction and ensures a proper review process.
Responsible financial management
• Manages administrative costs. Not all gifts are beneficial. A donation policy allows the city to consider the long-term costs of accepting a donation, such as maintenance or other operational expenses. The city can reject gifts that would require significant resources to maintain.
• Avoids burdensome restrictions. Some donations come with specific, donor-imposed restrictions on how the gift must be used. A policy ensures the city carefully reviews these conditions to make sure they align with the city's strategic goals, not the wishes of a wealthy individual.
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Attachments:
None.