Delaware County Council adopts code of conduct, but vote isn’t unanimous

The Delaware County Council has adopted a code of conduct for its elected members.  But as IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, the vote wasn’t unanimous.

The county council formed a committee to draft a code of conduct last October.  At the time, council president Jessica Piper said the request came from “multiple people.”

The committee was formed a few months after councilman Ryan Webb made national headlines saying he identified as a woman of color and a lesbian.  Several community members and a high school student group called for his resignation, saying he was insulting transgender Hoosiers.

Webb objected to those resignation calls.  He objected to the forming of the code of conduct committee.  And on Tuesday, he voted no to adopt the code.  He focused on the portion that asks council members to refrain from “rudeness, disrespectful comments, insults,” and the like.

“Sometimes we have spirited debates with people.  Sometimes people get their feelings hurt.  Sometimes people think that’s rude.  And I would never forfeit my right to be able to participate in that conversation.”

In June alone on his campaign Facebook page, Webb has expressed his views about transgender individuals, obesity, science concerning COVID-19, and called some of the Delaware County residents “whiny crybabies.”

Webb lost his re-election bid to an at-large council seat in the May primary election by more than 60 votes.  He called for a recount in that election and the process is underway.

Councilman William Brooks was part of the committee that created the code.

“We as members of the council represent the council both when we’re sitting in this room and 24 hours a day.”

The code of conduct was adopted by a 5-2 vote.  Councilman Matt Kantz delivered the other no vote, saying he found the code unnecessary.

Currently, the code of conduct isn’t yet available on the Delaware County website.

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.